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Key Facts: CVLE Barrister Vocational Examination Exam

6 papers

Five 3-hour written papers plus an oral Advocacy test, each marked out of 100

CVLE Instructions for Barristers' and Attorneys' Examination 2025

50% / 60%

Minimum per paper, and minimum aggregate of the six papers, to pass

CVLE Instructions for Barristers' and Attorneys' Examination 2025

Rs 10,000

Non-refundable registration fee for the 2026 Vocational Examinations

CVLE Notice, Vocational Examinations 2026

80%

Minimum LPVC attendance required to register for the examinations

CVLE Notice, Vocational Examinations 2026

6 attempts

Maximum attempts, to be used within six years of the first attempt

CVLE Instructions for Barristers' and Attorneys' Examination 2025

12 months

Pupillage after passing: 9 months with a barrister and 3 months in an attorney's office

Law Practitioners Act, section 5A

The CVLE barrister examination has five written papers and an oral Advocacy test, each marked out of 100. Candidates must score at least 50% in each paper and 60% overall. The 2026 fee was Rs 10,000, and candidates need at least 80% attendance at the LPVC. This free bank offers 100 English-language multiple-choice questions for independent study, checked against Mauritian statutes in force in 2026. It is not an official paper or a simulation of the oral test.

Sample CVLE Barrister Vocational Examination Practice Questions

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

1A statute passed by the National Assembly conflicts with a provision of the Constitution of Mauritius. Under section 2 of the Constitution, what is the status of the statute?
A.It stands until the Supreme Court makes a declaration of incompatibility and Parliament chooses to amend it
B.It prevails because it is the later expression of the will of Parliament
C.It is void to the extent of the inconsistency, because the Constitution is the supreme law of Mauritius
D.It is suspended until the President refers it back to the Cabinet for reconsideration
Explanation: Section 2 provides that the Constitution is the supreme law of Mauritius and that any other law inconsistent with it is void to the extent of the inconsistency. This is why the Supreme Court can declare legislation unconstitutional rather than merely signal incompatibility.
2In State v Khoyratty [2006] UKPC 13, the Privy Council considered section 5(3A) of the Constitution, which had been inserted in 1994 to deny bail to certain persons charged with drug offences. Why was the amendment held to be invalid?
A.It altered the democratic State protected by section 1 without following the section 47(3) procedure
B.It had not obtained a two-thirds majority of all members of the National Assembly
C.It conflicted with the European Convention on Human Rights, which is directly enforceable in Mauritian courts as part of domestic law
D.It had been enacted without first consulting the Director of Public Prosecutions
Explanation: The Board held that section 1 (Mauritius as a sovereign democratic State) is an operative provision that embraces the separation of powers. An absolute removal of judicial control over bail was a change to that democratic structure, and section 1 can only be altered through the deeply entrenched section 47(3) procedure. The editorial note to the current Constitution records that section 5(3A) was declared void.
3A client applies to the Supreme Court under section 17 of the Constitution alleging a breach of the right to freedom of expression. On what basis may the Court decline to exercise its powers under section 17(2)?
A.The applicant did not first lodge a complaint with the Ombudsman, which is a precondition to any section 17 application
B.The applicant is a company rather than an individual citizen, and section 17 protects only natural persons
C.The contravention has not yet occurred, though it is likely to occur
D.Adequate means of redress are or have been available to him under another law
Explanation: The proviso to section 17(2) states that the Supreme Court shall not exercise its powers if it is satisfied that adequate means of redress are or have been available under any other law. Constitutional redress is therefore not a substitute for an adequate ordinary remedy.
4Under section 47(3) of the Constitution, what is required for a Bill that would alter section 1 (Mauritius as a sovereign democratic State)?
A.Three-quarters of all members of the Assembly at the final voting, followed by approval of a simple majority of voters at a referendum
B.Prior approval at a referendum by not less than three-quarters of the electorate, and the votes of all the members of the Assembly at the final voting
C.Two-thirds of all members of the Assembly and the assent of the President acting in his own deliberate judgment
D.Three-quarters of the members present and voting, with no referendum
Explanation: Section 47(3) applies to sections 1 and 57(2). The Bill must, before its introduction, be approved at a referendum by not less than three-quarters of the electorate, and it must be supported at the final voting by all the members of the Assembly.
5The Government proposes a Bill amending section 10 (protection of law) in Chapter II of the Constitution. What majority does section 47 require?
A.A simple majority of members present and voting
B.Two-thirds of all members of the Assembly
C.Not less than three-quarters of all members of the Assembly at the final voting
D.The votes of all members of the Assembly after a referendum
Explanation: Section 47(2)(c) lists Chapter II among the provisions that can only be altered by a Bill supported at the final voting by not less than three-quarters of all the members of the Assembly. Referendum plus unanimity is reserved for sections 1 and 57(2).
6Which statement about the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) is correct under section 72 of the Constitution and Mohit v DPP [2006] UKPC 20?
A.The DPP is independent of any direction or control, but his decisions remain reviewable on narrow grounds
B.The DPP acts on the directions of the Attorney-General, who answers to Parliament for each prosecution decision
C.A nolle prosequi entered by the DPP is a prerogative act that can never be reviewed by any court in Mauritius
D.The DPP may discontinue criminal proceedings only after judgment has been delivered by the trial court
Explanation: Section 72(6) states that the DPP shall not be subject to the direction or control of any other person or authority. In Mohit the Privy Council held that DPP decisions, including a nolle prosequi, are nonetheless amenable to judicial review on limited grounds, for example where the DPP acted under political direction or in bad faith.
7A licensing authority refused your client's permit on 2 March 2026. Under the judicial review procedure in the Courts Act (Sub-Part VIA, in force from 5 January 2026), when must the application for leave to apply for judicial review normally be made?
A.Promptly and in any event within 3 months of the date the grounds first arose, extendable for good reason
B.Within 21 days of the date of the decision, with no power to extend the period
C.Within 6 months, provided the authority has first been served with a mise en demeure
D.Within 45 days of the decision, unless late filing is allowed on good cause shown
Explanation: Section 76C(1) of the Courts Act, inserted by Act 27 of 2025, requires the application for leave to be made not later than 45 days after the decision. Under section 76C(5) the Judge in Chambers may entertain a later application on good cause shown, and section 76C(2)(i) requires the applicant to explain any delay.
8How is an application for leave to apply for judicial review determined under sections 76E and 76H of the Courts Act, and what happens if leave is granted?
A.It is always decided at a full oral hearing in open court, and if leave is granted the case then starts afresh by a new statement of claim
B.The Judge in Chambers decides it on the papers; once granted, the application is heard by at least 2 Judges
C.The Master and Registrar decides leave after a pre-trial conference, and the substantive review is then heard by a single Judge
D.Leave is decided by the Court of Civil Appeal, and the review then goes to the Privy Council
Explanation: Section 76E requires the Judge in Chambers to decide leave on the papers alone, calling for written submissions or, exceptionally, an oral hearing. Under section 76H, once leave is granted the leave application stands as the application for judicial review, and it is heard before at least 2 Judges.
9A tribunal decided a case after refusing to let one party be heard. The aggrieved party wants the decision set aside. Which prerogative remedy fits best?
A.Mandamus
B.Prohibition
C.Certiorari
D.Quo warranto
Explanation: Certiorari quashes a decision already made, for example where it was taken in excess of jurisdiction or in breach of natural justice. Refusing to hear a party breaches the audi alteram partem rule, so quashing is the appropriate relief.
10On an irrationality (Wednesbury unreasonableness) ground of judicial review, what must the applicant show?
A.It is so unreasonable that no reasonable authority could have reached it
B.The judge, having weighed the evidence afresh, would have preferred a different outcome on the merits
C.The authority did not give every affected person a full oral hearing before deciding
D.The decision was unpopular with the public or criticised in the press
Explanation: Irrationality is a high threshold. Judicial review is supervisory, not an appeal on the merits, so the court intervenes only where the decision falls outside the range of responses open to a reasonable decision-maker.

About the CVLE Barrister Vocational Examination Exam

The CVLE Vocational Examination for prospective barristers is conducted by the Council for Vocational Legal Education under the Law Practitioners Act. It is required for admission to the Mauritian Bar unless the candidate is already qualified in a listed foreign jurisdiction. It combines five 3-hour written papers with an oral Advocacy test. This page offers independent English-language multiple-choice practice by OpenExamPrep on the topics these assessments cover; it does not reproduce or simulate the written papers or the oral test.

Exam sponsor: Council for Vocational Legal Education (Vocational Examinations Board). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

Five 3-hour written papers (I Constitutional and Administrative Law, II Civil Procedure, III Criminal Procedure, IV Evidence, V Drafting and Opinion Writing) and an oral Advocacy test (Paper VI), each marked out of 100. Ethics may be examined in any paper. The 2026 timetable set the written papers for 14 to 24 September at the University of Mauritius, Réduit, with the Advocacy test from 28 September at the Supreme Court. Questions are set on the law in force on a stated cut-off date (30 June for the 2025 sitting).

Time Limit

3 hours per written paper (plus 10 minutes' reading time); oral Advocacy: 15 minutes maximum

Passing Score

At least 50% in each paper and at least 60% of the aggregate of the six papers (80% or more at one sitting earns an Honours Certificate)

Exam / Certification Fees

Rs 10,000 non-refundable registration fee

Exam sponsor website

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

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.

1 of 6 papers (100 marks)

Constitutional and Administrative Law (Paper I)

Constitution of Mauritius (supremacy, Chapter II rights and section 17 redress, amendment under section 47, the DPP, the Ombudsman, Privy Council appeals) and administrative law, including the Courts Act judicial review procedure in force from 5 January 2026.

1 of 6 papers (100 marks)

Civil Procedure (Paper II)

Civil jurisdiction of the courts, injunctions and interlocutory relief, the Master and Registrar, wasted costs, mediation, and civil appeals under the Civil Appeal Act 2025.

1 of 6 papers (100 marks)

Criminal Procedure (Paper III)

Bail Act (including the 2025 DPP provisions), rights on arrest, jury trial, preliminary inquiries, double jeopardy, and appeals and reviews under the Criminal Appeal and Criminal Review Act 2025.

1 of 6 papers (100 marks)

Evidence (Paper IV)

English law of evidence under section 162 of the Courts Act, competence and compellability (including spouses and the accused), civil hearsay, privilege, identification, confessions and Code Civil rules of proof.

1 of 6 papers (100 marks)

Drafting and Opinion Writing (Paper V)

Grounds of appeal, affidavits, pleadings and prayers, skeleton arguments, settlement agreements, simple contracts and written opinions on Code Civil liability and remedies.

1 of 6 papers (100 marks)

Advocacy (Paper VI, oral) and professional ethics

The Code of Ethics for Barristers (cab-rank principle, professional embarrassment, fees, confidentiality, duties to the court, prosecution and defence duties), witness handling, and the 2025 disciplinary and CPD framework.

Preparing for the CVLE Barrister Vocational Examination Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: At least 50% in each paper and at least 60% of the aggregate of the six papers (80% or more at one sitting earns an Honours Certificate)
  • Assessment: Five 3-hour written papers (I Constitutional and Administrative Law, II Civil Procedure, III Criminal Procedure, IV Evidence, V Drafting and Opinion Writing) and an oral Advocacy test (Paper VI), each marked out of 100. Ethics may be examined in any paper. The 2026 timetable set the written papers for 14 to 24 September at the University of Mauritius, Réduit, with the Advocacy test from 28 September at the Supreme Court. Questions are set on the law in force on a stated cut-off date (30 June for the 2025 sitting).
  • Time limit: 3 hours per written paper (plus 10 minutes' reading time); oral Advocacy: 15 minutes maximum
  • Exam / certification fees: Rs 10,000 non-refundable registration fee 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

CVLE Barrister Vocational Examination: Suggested Study Strategy

1Learn the post-5 January 2026 appeal and review rules: the Civil Appeal Act 2025, the Criminal Appeal and Criminal Review Act 2025, and the 45-day judicial review leave limit in section 76C of the Courts Act.
2Know the Bail Act closely, including the 2025 amendments giving the DPP the decision on objections and the section 4A procedure for challenging a grant of bail.
3For Evidence, start from section 162 of the Courts Act (English law of evidence), then learn the Mauritian statutory rules on spouses and the accused in sections 164 and 184 to 187.
4Practise drafting grounds of appeal, affidavits and skeleton arguments to the standards in the Code of Ethics for Barristers (paragraphs 10 and 18).
5For the oral Advocacy test, practise 15-minute submissions on facts and law from a brief read in 3 hours, using proper modes of address.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the CVLE barrister examination consist of?

It consists of five 3-hour written papers (Constitutional and Administrative Law, Civil Procedure, Criminal Procedure, Evidence, and Drafting and Opinion Writing) and an oral test in Advocacy. Each is marked out of 100. Since the 2021 syllabus change, prospective barristers and attorneys study the same six subjects, but they register for, and are examined in, separate examinations.

What is the pass mark?

Candidates must score at least 50% in each paper and at least 60% of the aggregate marks of the six papers. A candidate with 60% aggregate who scores at least 40% in up to two failed papers, and passes the others, may resit those papers. 80% or more at one sitting earns an Honours Certificate.

How much does it cost, and what are the attendance and attempt rules?

The 2026 notice set a non-refundable registration fee of Rs 10,000. A candidate cannot register if attendance at the Law Practitioners Vocational Course was below 80%. The rules allow a maximum of six attempts within six years of the first attempt, extendable on good cause.

In what language is the examination taken?

Under the CVLE rules, questions must be answered in English unless a particular question expressly states that French may be used, or French authorities need to be quoted. OpenExamPrep's practice questions are in English and keep French legal terms where the law uses them.

What happens after passing?

Prospective barristers qualified in Mauritius complete 12 months' pupillage under the Law Practitioners Act: 9 months in a barrister's chambers (or 3 months plus 6 months with a barrister in a law firm) and 3 months in an attorney's office. They then apply to the Chief Justice for admission.

Does this question bank simulate the official examination?

No. The official examination consists of written problem and drafting questions and an oral Advocacy test. OpenExamPrep provides an independent, English-language multiple-choice study adaptation to help you revise the law and professional rules those assessments draw on. It is not an official CVLE paper.