Free Practice Questions for Liberian Bar Exam

Exam-style questions and explanations by OpenExamPrep.

✓ No registration✓ No credit card

100+ Questions

100% Free

Loading practice questions...

Exam Review

Key Facts: Liberian Bar Exam Exam

5 Years

Active practice required for an Attorney-at-Law to petition for admission as Counsellor-at-Law

Judiciary Law Title 17 s17.6

70%

Minimum passing score established by the Supreme Court for Supreme Court Bar qualification

In Re: Abrahim B. Sillah (2017)

1986

Year of enactment of the current Constitution of the Republic of Liberia

Constitution of Liberia

3 Members

Supreme Court counsellors appointed to the National Board of Bar Examiners

Judiciary Law Title 17 s17.2

4 Categories

Classifications of land recognized under the Land Rights Act 2018

Land Rights Act 2018

Statutory written bar examination administered by the National Board of Bar Examiners under the Supreme Court of Liberia for qualifying law graduates as Attorneys-at-Law. This practice bank offers 100 scenario-based questions covering Liberian civil procedure, penal law, constitutional provisions, land rights, commercial code, evidence, and professional ethics.

Sample Liberian Bar Exam Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the Liberian Bar Exam exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Under Article 67 of the 1986 Constitution of Liberia, what is the statutory composition of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Liberia?

A.A Chief Justice and two Associate Justices

B.A Chief Justice and four Associate Justices

C.A Chief Justice and six Associate Justices

D.A Chief Justice, four Associate Justices, and three Senior Circuit Judges

Explanation: Article 67 of the 1986 Constitution of Liberia explicitly provides that the Supreme Court of Liberia shall comprise one Chief Justice and four Associate Justices. A majority of the members of the Court constitutes a quorum to transact business.

2Article 65 of the 1986 Constitution of Liberia establishes that the judicial power of the Republic is vested in the Supreme Court and subordinate courts. How does Article 65 instruct the courts to treat customary law in relation to statutory law?

A.Customary law is entirely abolished and superseded by codified statutory law across all counties.

B.Customary law applies exclusively in rural disputes without any possibility of statutory or constitutional review.

C.Customary law applies only if the parties execute a formal written waiver of their statutory constitutional rights.

D.The courts shall apply both statutory and customary laws in accordance with standards enacted by the Legislature.

Explanation: Article 65 of the 1986 Constitution expressly states that the judicial power of the Republic shall be vested in a Supreme Court and subordinate courts, and that 'The courts shall apply both statutory and customary laws in accordance with the standards enacted by the Legislature.' Liberia maintains a recognized dual legal tradition where customary norms operate subject to legislative standards and constitutional supremacy.

3Under Article 66 of the 1986 Constitution of Liberia, in which cases does the Supreme Court exercise original jurisdiction rather than final appellate jurisdiction?

A.All felony prosecutions carrying a potential term of imprisonment exceeding ten years

B.All commercial contract actions involving monetary claims in excess of US$1,000,000

C.Cases involving ambassadors and ministers, and cases in which a county is a party

D.Disputes regarding the probate and contest of last wills and testaments of decedents

Explanation: Article 66 makes the Supreme Court the final arbiter of constitutional issues and gives it final appellate jurisdiction, as to both law and fact, in all cases emanating from courts of record, courts not of record, administrative agencies, autonomous agencies or any other authority, 'except cases involving ambassadors, ministers, or cases in which a county is a party. In all such cases, the Supreme Court shall exercise original jurisdiction.' Article 66 also forbids the Legislature to make any law or create any exception that would deprive the Court of those powers.

4Article 75 of the 1986 Constitution of Liberia empowers the Supreme Court to make rules of court. What does that article authorise the Court to do?

A.Amend codified criminal statutes enacted by the Legislature without legislative approval, and repeal provisions of the Penal Law and the Criminal Procedure Law that the Court finds unworkable in daily practice before the trial courts

B.Make rules regulating the practice, procedure and manner by which cases are commenced and heard before it and all subordinate courts, and prescribe a code of conduct for lawyers appearing before those courts

C.Set national monetary tariffs, import duties and property taxes, and fix the fees payable to the clerks of all courts of record in the Republic

D.Determine executive cabinet appointments when the Senate fails to confirm nominees

Explanation: Article 75 provides that the Supreme Court shall from time to time make rules of court regulating the practice, procedures and manner by which cases are commenced and heard before it and all other subordinate courts, and shall prescribe such code of conduct for lawyers appearing before those courts as may be necessary, provided that neither the rules nor the code may contravene any statute or the Constitution. It is the constitutional basis for the Revised Rules of the Supreme Court, the Code of Moral and Professional Ethics, and the Grievance and Ethics Committee; admission to the Bar itself is governed by Chapter 17 of the Judiciary Law.

5A petitioner before the Supreme Court of Liberia sitting en banc argues that an Act of the Legislature violates Article 20(a) of the 1986 Constitution. What does Article 20(a) actually guarantee?

A.That due process applies only to criminal arrests and does not protect vested civil property rights or statutory business licences

B.That the Legislature has plenary authority to suspend notice and hearing requirements whenever an economic emergency is declared by the President and published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

C.That offences affecting national revenue or customs collections must be tried before a military tribunal rather than a civilian court of record, and that no appeal lies from such a tribunal to the Supreme Court of Liberia

D.That no person shall be deprived of life, liberty, security of the person, property, privilege or any other right except by a hearing judgment consistent with the Constitution and in accordance with due process of law

Explanation: Article 20(a) protects life, liberty, security of the person, property, privilege 'or any other right', and permits deprivation only as the outcome of a hearing judgment consistent with the Constitution and in accordance with due process of law. It adds that justice shall be done without sale, denial or delay and preserves trial by jury except in cases arising in courts not of record, under courts-martial and upon impeachment. Article 20(b) makes the right of appeal from any court or administrative board or agency, other than the Supreme Court, inviolable.

6Under Article 21(f) of the 1986 Constitution of Liberia, within what period must a person who has been arrested or detained be formally charged and presented before a court of competent jurisdiction?

A.Within twenty-four hours of the arrest, excluding weekends, national legal holidays and any day on which the court is not in session

B.Within forty-eight hours, after which the court must determine whether a prima facie case exists and provide for a speedy trial

C.Within seventy-two hours, extendable upon administrative request by the Minister of Justice

D.Within seven business days, provided the arresting officer first obtains an administrative detention order from the county attorney or the Ministry of Justice

Explanation: Article 21(f) requires every person arrested or detained to be formally charged and presented before a court of competent jurisdiction within forty-eight hours. If the court finds a prima facie case it issues a formal writ of arrest setting out the charges and provides for a speedy trial, and the article states flatly that 'There shall be no preventive detention.' Article 21(g) guarantees the writ of habeas corpus to any person not presented to court within that period.

7What is the constitutional requirement set forth in Article 27(b) of the 1986 Constitution of Liberia regarding qualification for citizenship by birth or naturalization?

A.In order to preserve, foster and maintain the positive Liberian culture and values, only persons who are Negroes or of Negro descent shall qualify by birth or by naturalization to be citizens of Liberia.

B.Any individual born within the geographical boundaries of the Republic automatically qualifies as a citizen regardless of racial ancestry, provided that at least one parent was lawfully resident at the time of the birth.

C.Citizenship is open to any foreign investor who maintains commercial investments in Liberia exceeding US$500,000 for five consecutive years.

D.Citizenship by naturalization is restricted exclusively to citizens of member states of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Explanation: Article 27(b) of the 1986 Constitution of Liberia states: 'In order to preserve, foster and maintain the positive Liberian culture, values and character, only persons who are Negroes or of Negro descent shall qualify by birth or by naturalization to be citizens of Liberia.'

8What limitation does Article 22(a) of the 1986 Constitution of Liberia place on the ownership of property?

A.Non-citizens may own real property outright once they have been permanently resident for more than ten years and have paid real property tax throughout that period

B.Real property is reserved to the central government, with private persons holding only ninety-nine year leases

C.Every person may own property alone or in association with others, provided that only Liberian citizens have the right to own real property within the Republic

D.Foreign corporations may purchase agricultural land outright provided they employ more than 100 Liberian nationals

Explanation: Article 22(a) reads: 'Every person shall have the right to own property alone as well as in association with others; provided that only Liberian citizens shall have the right to own real property within the Republic.' Article 22(b) excludes mineral resources and lands under the seas and waterways from private property rights, and Article 22(c) allows non-citizen missionary, educational and other benevolent institutions to own property for as long as it is used for the purpose for which it was acquired, after which it escheats to the Republic.

9Under Article 21(d)(i) of the 1986 Constitution of Liberia, what is the stated exception to an accused person's right to be admitted to bail?

A.All First Degree Felonies under Title 26 Penal Law, regardless of the state of the evidence

B.Any offence involving misappropriation of public funds or economic sabotage

C.All misdemeanours committed while the accused is already released on bail

D.Persons charged with capital offences or with grave offences as defined by law

Explanation: Article 21(d)(i) provides that 'All accused persons shall be bailable upon their personal recognizance or by sufficient sureties, depending upon the gravity of the charge, unless charged for capital offenses or grave offenses as defined by law', and Article 21(d)(ii) forbids excessive bail, fines and punishment. Section 13.1(1) of the Criminal Procedure Law refines the capital-offence branch: a person in custody for a capital offence is entitled as of right to bail before conviction unless the proof is evident or the presumption great that he is guilty, and before indictment the burden of showing that rests on the Republic.

10Article 21 of the 1986 Constitution of Liberia protects an accused person against retroactive penal legislation and against being tried twice for the same offence. Which statement correctly describes those two protections?

A.Both protections are contained in Article 21(b), the provision that also governs searches, seizures and the warrant requirement, and both may be waived by a defendant who pleads guilty before a court of competent jurisdiction

B.Article 21(a) forbids punishment under a law not in effect when the offence was committed and bars bills of attainder and ex post facto laws, while Article 21(h) provides that no person shall be subject to double jeopardy

C.Article 21(h) bars both, and also forecloses a civil action for damages arising out of a transaction that was prosecuted criminally

D.Article 21(h) bars both, and also forecloses any retrial after a mistrial is declared because the jury could not agree on a verdict

Explanation: Article 21(a) provides that no person shall be made subject to any law or punishment which was not in effect at the time of commission of an offence, and forbids the Legislature to enact any bill of attainder or ex post facto law. The double jeopardy guarantee sits separately in Article 21(h), which also secures grand jury indictment for capital or infamous crimes, a speedy public trial by an impartial jury of the vicinity, counsel of choice, confrontation, compulsory process, freedom from compelled self-incrimination and the presumption of innocence.

About the Liberian Bar Exam Exam

The Liberian Bar Examination for admission as Attorney-at-Law is the statutory professional qualification examination administered by the National Board of Bar Examiners pursuant to Title 17 (Judiciary Law) of the Liberian Code of Laws Revised. Under Article 75 of the 1986 Constitution, the Supreme Court regulates legal practice across the Republic. Candidates who hold an LL.B. or J.D. degree from a recognized law school (such as the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law or accredited institutions) must pass the written bar examination and complete a statutory apprenticeship to be admitted to the Bar by the resident circuit judge. Attorneys-at-Law may practice before subordinate courts and circuit courts across Liberia, with progression to Counsellor-at-Law before the Supreme Court requiring at least five years of active practice and a separate Supreme Court examination. This practice bank provides 100 multiple-choice questions as an independent English-language study aid covering core Liberian substantive and procedural law.

Exam sponsor: Supreme Court of Liberia — National Board of Bar Examiners. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

The examination tests legal analysis, statutory interpretation, legal drafting and procedure. In In Re: Abrahim B. Sillah (2017) the Supreme Court recorded that its examinations were centred on legal writing skills, analytic ability and knowledge of legal practice and procedure, using subject matters that included property, decedents' estates and trust law; civil procedure; evidence; contracts; commercial law; and corporations. Section 17.2(2) of the Judiciary Law obliges the National Board of Bar Examiners to publish a list of subjects indicating the general scope of its examinations, to set the papers by written questions and answers, to keep them as nearly uniform from year to year as is practicable, and to grade them anonymously. This bank also covers criminal law and procedure and constitutional law, which are core to the subordinate-court practice the Attorney-at-Law tier licenses. Sittings are held in the county where the candidate resides, at times and places fixed by the Board subject to the approval of the Chief Justice, and are supervised by the Local Bar Committees.

Time Limit

The Supreme Court of Liberia and the National Board of Bar Examiners determine examination session lengths per sitting, which are not publicly published in a standard candidate handbook. This practice bank provides untimed self-paced study.

Passing Score

Passing standards for bar qualification are established by the Supreme Court of Liberia (the Court applies a strict 70-point minimum threshold for Supreme Court Bar admission, while circuit admissions require satisfactory completion of the NBBE examination as certified to the resident circuit judge under Title 17 Judiciary Law).

Exam / Certification Fees

Examination and administrative fees are determined by the Judiciary and the National Board of Bar Examiners per sitting; no uniform public fee schedule is published.

Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Official sources

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

15%

Civil Procedure

Title 1 Civil Procedure Law, court jurisdictions, pleadings, motions, injunctions, and appellate perfection including bills of exceptions, appeal bonds, and notices of completion.

15%

Criminal Law and Procedure

Title 2 Criminal Procedure Law, Title 26 Penal Law, grading of felonies and misdemeanors under Section 50.2, culpable mental states, constitutional rights of the accused, 48-hour presentation under Article 21(f), bail, grand jury indictment, and trial rights.

15%

Property, Decedents' Estates and Trusts

Land Rights Act 2018 (Customary, Private, Government, Public land), constitutional restrictions on real property ownership, adverse possession, probate jurisdiction, wills, and intestate succession.

15%

Contracts and Commercial Law

Contract formation, defenses, remedies, Commercial Code 2010, sales, negotiable instruments, Chapter 5 Secured Transactions and the Liberia Collateral Registry, and Commercial Court jurisdiction.

10%

Corporations and Business Organizations

Title 5 Business Corporation Act, incorporation, board of directors, fiduciary duties, ultra vires, shareholder rights, derivative actions, and corporate dissolution.

10%

Constitutional Law

1986 Constitution of Liberia, fundamental rights, separation of powers, judicial review, the judicial power and Supreme Court jurisdiction and composition under Articles 65 to 67, the Article 75 rule-making power, and citizenship under Article 27.

10%

Evidence

Sources of Liberian evidence law under Criminal Procedure Law Section 21.1, burden and standards of proof, hearsay and its exceptions, the best evidence and parol evidence rules, witness competency, and privilege.

10%

Legal Ethics and Judiciary Law

Title 17 Judiciary Law, National Board of Bar Examiners, Attorney-at-Law versus Counsellor-at-Law tiers, five-year practice rule, client confidentiality, trust accounts, and LNBA regulations.

Preparing for the Liberian Bar Exam Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Passing standards for bar qualification are established by the Supreme Court of Liberia (the Court applies a strict 70-point minimum threshold for Supreme Court Bar admission, while circuit admissions require satisfactory completion of the NBBE examination as certified to the resident circuit judge under Title 17 Judiciary Law).
Assessment: The examination tests legal analysis, statutory interpretation, legal drafting and procedure. In In Re: Abrahim B. Sillah (2017) the Supreme Court recorded that its examinations were centred on legal writing skills, analytic ability and knowledge of legal practice and procedure, using subject matters that included property, decedents' estates and trust law; civil procedure; evidence; contracts; commercial law; and corporations. Section 17.2(2) of the Judiciary Law obliges the National Board of Bar Examiners to publish a list of subjects indicating the general scope of its examinations, to set the papers by written questions and answers, to keep them as nearly uniform from year to year as is practicable, and to grade them anonymously. This bank also covers criminal law and procedure and constitutional law, which are core to the subordinate-court practice the Attorney-at-Law tier licenses. Sittings are held in the county where the candidate resides, at times and places fixed by the Board subject to the approval of the Chief Justice, and are supervised by the Local Bar Committees.
Time limit: The Supreme Court of Liberia and the National Board of Bar Examiners determine examination session lengths per sitting, which are not publicly published in a standard candidate handbook. This practice bank provides untimed self-paced study.
Exam / certification fees: Examination and administrative fees are determined by the Judiciary and the National Board of Bar Examiners per sitting; no uniform public fee schedule is published. Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

Work through all 100 available questions
Review every answer and explanation
Track weak areas and revisit them
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

Liberian Bar Exam: Suggested Study Strategy

1Master Title 1 (Civil Procedure Law) and Title 2 (Criminal Procedure Law) of the Liberian Code of Laws Revised, with particular focus on timelines for bills of exceptions, appeal bonds, and notices of completion of appeal.

2Study the Land Rights Act of 2018 and understand the legal distinctions among Customary Land, Private Land, Government Land, and Public Land, as well as the constitutional limitation reserving real property ownership to Liberian citizens.

3Review key Supreme Court precedents and the Revised Rules of the Supreme Court, ensuring familiarity with the strict jurisdictional steps required to perfect an appeal.

4Understand the provisions of Chapter 5 of the Commercial Code of 2010 on Secured Transactions and the operation of the Liberia Collateral Registry through the Central Bank of Liberia.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the official format of the Liberian Bar Examination?

The official examination administered by the National Board of Bar Examiners is a written paper emphasizing legal analysis, problem-solving, and procedural drafting. This prep bank adapts those competencies into four-option multiple-choice questions for independent study; it is an English-language study aid and not a simulation of the official written examination.

What is the difference between an Attorney-at-Law and a Counsellor-at-Law in Liberia?

Under Title 17 of the Liberian Code of Laws Revised, the legal profession is two-tiered. An Attorney-at-Law is admitted upon passing the National Board of Bar Examiners paper and serving an apprenticeship, and is licensed to practice before circuit and subordinate courts. An Attorney may not practice before the Supreme Court. After five years of active practice, an Attorney may petition the Supreme Court and sit for the Supreme Court Bar Examination to be admitted as a Counsellor-at-Law.

What is the passing score for the bar examination in Liberia?

The Supreme Court of Liberia in In Re: Abrahim B. Sillah established a strict 70% passing standard for the Supreme Court Bar Examination (with grading bands: 90–100 excellent, 80–89 good, 70–79 pass, below 70 fail; grade scaling abolished). Admission as Attorney-at-Law requires satisfactory passage of the NBBE examination certified to the Chief Justice and resident circuit judge.

Who is eligible to sit for the Liberian Bar Examination?

Applicants must be citizens of Liberia, at least 21 years of age, and graduates of an accredited law school recognized by the Supreme Court of Liberia (such as the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law at the University of Liberia or the Liberia School of Law). Automatic admission based solely on degree completion was expressly rejected by the Supreme Court in 2017.

Who sets and administers the Liberian bar examination?

Section 17.2 of the Judiciary Law requires the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court to appoint three counsellors of the Supreme Court in good standing as the National Board of Bar Examiners, one of them as chairman, each for a three-year term without immediate reappointment. The Board prepares the papers subject to the Chief Justice's approval, conducts them by written questions and answers, and grades them so that candidates' names are not known to the examiners. Local Bar Committees appointed for each county supervise the sittings and assess candidates' character and fitness.