Law Practice: Step-by-Step Answers from a London Tutor!

Studying law in London is both rewarding and challenging. Whether you're preparing for LLB exams, GDL assessments, or bar training, practicing real-life legal problems is key to mastering your material. Below are five carefully selected practice questions with detailed explanations, designed by a Law Tutor in London to enhance your legal analysis and exam confidence.

1. Contract Law Question

Scenario:

Alice advertises her vintage car online for £10,000. Bob emails her offering £9,000. Alice replies, “I can’t sell it for less than £9,500.” The next day, Bob agrees to pay £9,500. Alice refuses to sell. Bob sues for breach of contract.

Issue:

Was there a valid acceptance and formation of contract?

Answer & Explanation:

No. When Bob offered £9,000, he made an initial offer. Alice’s reply — “I can’t sell it for less than £9,500” — is considered a counter-offer (Hyde v Wrench [1840]), which extinguishes Bob’s initial offer. Bob's subsequent agreement to pay £9,500 becomes a new offer, which Alice is free to reject. There was no acceptance of a standing offer, and therefore no contract was formed.

2. Criminal Law Question

Scenario:

Daniel, angry at his neighbour for playing loud music, throws a brick intending to break the speaker but ends up injuring the neighbour. He claims he did not intend to hurt anyone.

Issue:

Can Daniel be found guilty of a non-fatal offence against the person?

Answer & Explanation:

Yes. Under Section 20 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861, a person can be liable if they unlawfully and maliciously inflict grievous bodily harm (GBH), even without intent to harm but with recklessness. Daniel’s act was deliberate and dangerous, and it was reasonably foreseeable that injury might occur. His intention to damage property, coupled with reckless disregard for human safety, satisfies the mental element.

3. Tort Law Question

Scenario:

Emma walks into a café. The floor near the counter is wet due to recent cleaning. There is no visible sign. Emma slips and fractures her arm. She sues the café for negligence.

Issue:

Is the café liable for negligence under occupiers’ liability?

Answer & Explanation:

Yes. Under the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957, occupiers owe a duty of care to lawful visitors to ensure the premises are reasonably safe. The café breached this duty by failing to display a warning sign. The injury was foreseeable and directly caused by the café’s omission. Therefore, the café is likely liable for damages.

4. Public Law Question

Scenario:

The UK government passes a regulation restricting protest rights in certain public parks. A group of students argues this violates their right to freedom of assembly under Article 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

Issue:

Can this regulation be challenged under UK constitutional law and the Human Rights Act 1998?

Answer & Explanation:

Yes. Under the Human Rights Act 1998, public authorities (including the government) must act in accordance with the ECHR. Any restriction on rights under Article 11 must be proportionate, legal, and necessary in a democratic society. If the restriction is too broad or lacks justification, the courts may issue a declaration of incompatibility or interpret the regulation in line with human rights standards.

5. Equity & Trusts Question

Scenario:

Tom transfers £20,000 to his brother John “to help look after our mum.” Later, John claims the money was a gift and refuses to account for it. Tom sues for breach of trust.

Issue:

Was a trust created, or was this a mere moral obligation?

Answer & Explanation:

This depends on certainty of intention, one of the three certainties required to create a trust (Knight v Knight [1840]). The phrase “to help look after our mum” may be too vague unless there is additional evidence suggesting that Tom intended John to hold the money for the mother’s benefit. Courts may find it a precatory (wishful) statement, not a binding obligation, unless Tom’s intention was clearly trust-based. Without clear intention, a trust likely fails.

How to Use These Practice Questions

These questions are modelled on common issues that arise in UK law exams, especially in contract, criminal, tort, public, and equity law modules. When reviewing them, remember to:

• Identify the legal issue quickly — this is essential for structuring your answer.
• Apply the relevant case law or statute — don’t just describe the rule, apply it to the facts.
• Explain your reasoning step-by-step — this earns marks in problem-based questions.
• Practice timed responses — examiners value clarity and conciseness under pressure.

Why Practice with a Law Tutor in London?

Working with a law tutor based in London can give you several advantages:

• Local insight into UK university marking criteria
• One-to-one coaching in writing legal problem answers
• Clarification of legal concepts you may find difficult in lectures
• Tailored feedback on your mock answers
• Exam technique mastery, especially in timed conditions

Law tutors familiar with London universities (such as UCL, King’s, Queen Mary, and LSE) can help you align your skills with academic expectations.

Final Thoughts

Practicing law problem questions is the most effective way to prepare for exams and coursework. Combine it with guidance from an experienced Law Tutor, and you can transform your legal understanding from surface-level theory into practical excellence.

Want a full pack of 20+ law questions with detailed answers and tutor tips? Or need help with a specific area like Land Law, EU Law, or Legal Method? Just ask — and start mastering your law degree today.