After you complete the 3-year or 5-year LL.B degree from a Bar Council of India-approved institute or if you’re in final semester of a 3-year or 5-year LL.B degree course and meet the other requirements, you’re eligible for the All India Bar Examination (AIBE).

Once you pass this certification exam, you get the Certificate of Practice (COP). This permits you to practice as an advocate in Indian Courts. Without passing the All India Bar exam, you cannot practice in any court.

Note: The All India Bar Examination is only for students graduating from the academic year 2009-10 onwards. If your law degree was awarded before the academic year 2009-10, there is no need to appear for the All India Bar Examination or qualify for this exam to practice law in India.

See this page till the end.

11 tips for passing AIBE

(Based on my personal experience)

Here are some important information and tips to keep in mind for the All India Bar Examination. These will ensure that you have an easy time sitting in the exam hall and are confident in solving the questions.

1. Starting with AIBE XVI, you can no longer take notes, printouts, or anything except physical Bare Acts books inside the AIBE exam hall. Therefore, make sure you have bought the Bare Act books that you can take inside.

But the Bar Council of India updated the rules for AIBE-XVII and later. The Bar Council of India recommends you take physical, actual Bare Act books without notes. It also uses the term “downloaded copies,” meaning you may be able to take printouts (that’s what downloaded copies mean). Further, it says that if you can’t find Bare Acts without notes, then Bare Acts with short notes or least notes can be allowed if the candidate requests. Here’s the full official notification by the Bar Council of India.

2. There are 100 multiple-choice questions in AIBE. There is no negative marking. So, make sure you do not leave any questions unanswered.

3. You pass the All India Bar Exam if you get 40% of marks in the general category and 35% marks in the SC/ST category. That is, general category candidates have to get 40 out of 100 questions correct. SC/ST have to get 35 correct answers out of 100.

4. After the exam, you either pass or fail. Bar Council doesn’t show the exact marks you score.

5. Questions in AIBE are not very tough. They are challenging, but you can easily solve them.

6. You do not need any law notes for AIBE. Just focus on Bare Acts. Plus, with the syllabus subjects (given below), make sure you focus well on legal maxims and some of the landmark case laws.

7. If you have been reading Bare Acts and the syllabus subjects mentioned below for a few months, you are good to go. Plus, you will have the Bare Act books during the exam. So, it’s easy.

8. Read the questions carefully. Several of them can be solved just by reading the question and seeing the index page of the Bare Act of that question. Truly. Read the question! By the language and a few facts, you will get to know what the subject is. Now, open that Bare Act book’s index page and it should help you solve the question. If you need to dive more, quickly go to that Article or section using the page number mentioned in the index.

9. Personal Experience: Since this isn’t a competitive/job exam, people are usually friendly inside the hall. While I was taking the exam, candidates sitting near me gladly offered books I didn’t have, etc. So, overall, it was easy to solve the questions.

10. There are 100 questions, but if your language understanding (English or the language in which you are appearing) is good, you can solve them soon and will have ample time in the end to recheck.

11. Once again, in any case, do not leave any questions unanswered. Remember, there is no negative marking in AIBE!

Syllabus for AIBE

This is the syllabus for All India Bar Exam XX (2025) and later:

AIBE has a total of 100 questions from the subjects mentioned above, and the time duration for the exam is 3 hours 30 minutes.

Before appearing for it, make sure you read about the professional misconduct according to Advocates Act, 1961.

AIBE Bare Acts

Out of the subjects mentioned above, WritingLaw has Bare Act PDFs for the following subjects. You cannot carry PDFs inside the exam hall but use them to study and prepare for AIBE now. You can buy these PDFs and many other PDFs for Rs 340. The Bare Act names are listed below.

You can read from these Bare Act PDFs on your mobile, tablet and laptop to prepare for AIBE and all other law exams.

Practice Questions

As mentioned above, AIBE has multiple-choice questions. Out of the above AIBE syllabus, WritingLaw has MCQ Tests on the following subjects. You can buy the Bare Act PDFs, the tests mentioned below, and several other things for Rs 1325.

These MCQ Tests have important questions that are of judiciary exam level. This makes them useful for all lower law exams, too. If you do well in these tests, passing AIBE and similar law exams should be easy for you.

Do not wait for the last moment or the one month before AIBE. For the best preparation, read from the Bare Acts and practice via the MCQ Tests starting today.

How to use WritingLaw’s Bare Acts and MCQ Tests to practice for AIBE

• Step 1: Open WritingLaw’s MCQ Tests on your phone or laptop.
• Step 2: Keep your Bare Act books near. Or, open WritingLaw’s Bare Act PDFs on another phone, laptop, or the same phone for now.
• Step 3: Start the MCQ test.
• Step 4: Solve the test questions by seeing the Bare Act books or PDFs.
• Step 5: Once done, see your test score. Anything above 50% in these tests is excellent for AIBE.
• Step 6: Take another test or refresh the page to retake this same test.

Get PDFs and Tests (Rs. 1325)

11 tips to pass AIBE
WritingLaw

State Judicial Examination, popularly known as PCS(J), or Judiciary Exam, consists of three stages. They are Preliminary, Mains, and Interview. One needs to clear all these stages to become a judicial officer.

Preliminary is the qualifying stage. After that, based on the assessment in the Mains exam, students are selected for the interview. In most cases, it is the Mains exam that decides whether a student is capable of making it through or not.

There are several tips and techniques to write the perfect answer in the Judiciary Mains exam. An on-point answer makes our paper stand out and impressive. Let us look at twelve effective ways to write the best possible answer in the Mains exams.

1. Make sure you understand the question

The first thing that we see in the paper is the arrangement of questions as per the allocation of marks. Before flipping on any other item, you must understand what the question is asking.

For example, if the question is why the evidence of an accomplice is not trustworthy? Then, you should not write what evidence is and who an accomplice is. This will lengthen your answer, and you won’t be able to write the main content asked in the question.

Sure, if it is a detailed, long answer question, then go for it. But if the question carries fewer marks, stick to the point. Do not write stories. This is not your college or university exam. Here, the more precise and on-point you are, the better are the chances for scoring well.

2. Stick to the word limit

The word limit is mentioned for every question or set of questions. It is there for a reason. So, keep the answer within the word limit. Examiners value and appreciate the answers written within the prescribed limit.

The team that sets these high-level papers roughly knows in how many words the answer to a particular problem can be described masterfully. So, value the limit set by them. If you exceed the word limit, it may backfire.

What is the use of holding your nose by bending your hand around your neck when you could have simply held it from the front?

3. Keep your answers simple

Try to write your answer in the most straightforward form. Your motto should be to convey your ideas in a way that a wide range of people can understand. Inserting big and tough words does not necessarily make your answer attractive.

However, in the Judiciary Exam, do not restrict yourself from using legal maxims and phrases to support your answer. These words make the writing presentation quite impressive.

4. Write short sentences

Your primary motive should be to make yourself heard. The best way to clearly express yourself is to write short sentences. They are easy to read, understand, and convey the impression of friendliness. You may also choose to write in points. Like (1), (2), (3), and so on.

When you prepare for PCSJ exams, practice writing small sentences in your notebook. If you write a lengthy sentence, practice the art of breaking it into two or three separate smaller pieces. This will gradually become your habit.

Note: When you are writing the exact law, then do not break it. In that case, you have to write the long sentence or, however, the section name is (which may be devoid of regular grammar and norms; law sentences are quite lengthy).

5. Break the answer into paragraphs

A long paragraph is arduous to read. Short paragraphs, on the other hand, are easy to consume. Also, dividing your long answer makes the presentation better.

Now, you may ask, what is the ideal paragraph size? Well, it varies. However, the acceptable limit ranges from three to five sentences. These small chunks of precise writing in short sentences are valuable for all written exams or projects you undertake in the future.

6. Make ample use of legal terms

While writing, try to make the answers precise by using legal terms and words. For example, suppose you are trying to say that the marriage is void and parties have no legal obligations attached to it. This sentence is perfect, and it makes sense, as well. But since you are writing a law exam, try to use legal terms. Here, you can simply write that the marriage is annulled. It sounds short and on point and exhibits that you have read multiple law content. The examiner will be impressed.

7. Mention important case laws

Adding case laws to the answer makes it more authentic and convincing. The latest case laws work as a punch mark to the written law that you write in the answer.

Even if you don’t remember the name or citation of a case, you can only write the verdict. The examiner is not very interested in knowing the name or story behind a case. Instead, he wants you to mention the verdict or the judgment delivered by the apex court. Make sure you write this appropriately and suitably.

8. Follow proper judgement writing format

When you are attempting to write a judgement in your answer, remember the format or the sequence. It is simple, and you can find these in various law books. The main thing in writing judgement is inferencing the correct law and its application to the given facts.

9. Avoid using many abbreviations

You are sitting in the hall, hoping to become a member of the judicial services. Show this in the paper as well. Filling your subjective answers with abbreviations makes it less formal.

You are not using a small smartphone display or exchanging fun conversations with your mates. Rigorous hard work of multiple years should reflect in your words. Do not ruin it with a quick abbreviation.

When a person reads a paragraph, he wishes to continue a flow while reading all the sentences. A short form or punctured word breaks this flow. Make the paper checker comfortable with your answers. Always remember you are an upcoming judge. Your words should reflect your mindset and philosophy.

10. Have a synopsis in mind

Before putting the pen on the sheet, make sure to have an outline in mind. Ensure that you have a clear picture of the layout of your answer. Do not think that ‘I will improvise as I proceed.’ Have a clear picture from the beginning. It prevents mistakes and makes your answer more systematic and chronological.

11. Set an estimated time limit for a question

You know your writing speed and the duration in which you can put thought from mind to paper. So, how much time to give to a question or set of questions (short or long) entirely depends on you.

When writing an answer, try to complete it within your set time frame. If you stretch one or two questions and exceed the time limit, you will unnecessarily start to panic and lose control. So avoid that. The above tips, like sticking to the word count and having a summary before writing, will significantly help in adhering to the time limit.

Always remember that one or two questions with good, long answers are not an excuse to miss even a single question!

For example, suppose there are two long answers, and 40 minutes remain. You utilise 32 minutes to write an excellent answer to one question and have only 8 minutes for the second one. Don’t do that.

In 20 minutes, you can write an answer that will award you 7 out of 10 marks. If you utilise 32 minutes, most likely, you will get 8.5 out of 10 for that.

Just think that, for 1.5 additional marks, is it okay to sacrifice the other question where you could have easily scored a minimum of 5 or 6 marks had you given it the appropriate share of the remaining time?

12. Allot the last 15 minutes for revision

This is a very crucial time. Within fifteen minutes, you have to go through the whole paper, which took you multiple hours to write! But it is essential.

In these fifteen minutes, check if you have missed a word, an essential note, punctuation, a short example, or a case name. You may also use this time to underline the crucial points of an answer. This time is also suitable to check your credentials once more and ensure that everything is correct.

Success in Judiciary Mains exam!

Keeping these techniques in mind, you can attempt the Mains examination efficiently and flawlessly. A systematic approach can make any horse win the race. Pick your weak points and work on them.

Appropriately utilise the time now. Back it up with a proper routine and proper management. Once you discipline yourself, no goal is too big.

Finally, a law student preparing for the Judicial Services Exam comes across multiple opinions on how to study law and other instructions. Make it a point never to get carried away with every advice you get. Listen to every piece of information, but before acclimatizing it, analyse it yourself. A person better knows about themself than any other.

The race is not easy, but not very difficult either. A systematic approach can make it work.

All the best.

12 answer writing tips for Judiciary
WritingLaw

New students who have just completed class 12th and are remotely interested in the legal field often ask – What are the job options in law? Many graduate students also get worried or confused and wonder what career options are available after completing law or what to do after law.

First of all, today’s situation is not like the way it used to be twenty years ago. Earlier, there was a notion that if you chose the science stream, then the only way out was to be a doctor or an engineer. If you opt for law and become a graduate, then the only options are litigation and judicial services.

In the present time, the law fraternity has a vast area to explore and excel. You can practice as an advocate, prepare for competitive judicial services, become a legal advisor, enter government services, become a professor, and more.

So, if you are confused and wonder what I can do after LL.B, B.A.LL.B, B.B.A.LL.B, etc., then here are ten career options to choose from after law.

1. Go into litigation

The permanent and always welcoming job for law graduates is litigation. If you have a law degree, you can practice law at any age in life. It’s jokingly said that if you can’t do anything, you can take up law.

But litigation is a rose that needs water on time. A little delay makes it wither away.

Litigation requires a comprehensive approach. It’s an art that examines your calibre to convince the bench.

Excelling in advocacy is a challenging platform for every practicing lawyer. You need to be updated and well-versed with statutes, and then only you can perform well.

2. Become a legal adviser

Every company, whether big or small, runs on good advice. Many companies that have day-to-day dealings with others need legal advisers who can advise them on the point of law.

Companies get into contracts, deals, and mergers. As I said earlier, there is no field in this world where the law has not got its wing. Even companies, big institutions, or agencies hire legal advisers to prevent themselves from getting into any trouble.

Everyone wants to work within the ambit of the law. The agreements, contracts, and memoranda in a company are made under the guidance of legal advisers. You can become a legal adviser based on your skills and capabilities.

3. Practice as a legal assistant

In the early phase of your law career, becoming a legal assistant to advocates or firms is a good option. You get to learn so many new and exciting things as a legal assistant.

Your commitment is to assist senior lawyers or firms in their work. You learn about drafting and pleading and how it is done. Drafting a case is itself an art, as it is the document that exhibits your potential in court without speaking a word. Your drafting describes your work.

Legal assistants generally help prepare documents for a case like a plaint, applications, motions, and so on. They are called the right hand of a lawyer.

4. Become a law professor or teacher

After completing law, it’s not necessary to go into litigation or any corporate sector. You can opt for teaching and become a professor at a college or institute. It is a noble profession.

Without teachers, we can’t imagine the growth in the field of law. It is because of teachers that so many institutes are running and producing thousands of lawyers every year.

You must have an LL.M (Master of Laws) degree to teach law. If you have completed LL.M, you can teach at a good institute and earn a good salary.

Technically, for teaching in colleges and universities, a UGC-NET qualification is usually required to become an Assistant Professor. LL.M alone may allow teaching in coaching institutes or private institutions, but not always in UGC-regulated universities.

5. Join government services

If you are a law graduate or have done B.A.LL.B or B.B.A.LL.B, then your professional degree is considered your graduation degree. After completing law, you can think of going into government services like the civil service examination or state services. These are conducted by the Union Public Service Commission and State Public Service Commissions, respectively.

During B.A.LL.B, students are made to study history, polity, and sociology. These can guide a person who is preparing for the government services exams. There is an optional paper of law in civil services that a law student can crack in one attempt. Even in government sectors, there are legal departments, and after taking these exams, you can serve in the government sector in the law field itself.

6. Enter judicial services

It is the only field of law that is not restrictive or confined. A law graduate can enter into all three wings of government, which are the legislature, executive, and judiciary.

After completing the law, you can prepare for the judicial services exams. Before the age of 35, your entry into the judiciary is through the Civil Judge Junior Division or Judicial Magistrate Class II. Once you cross the age of 35, you can directly sit for the Assistant District Judge exam with seven years of experience as a practicing advocate.

As a judge, you can serve the nation. A court is considered the temple of justice. And what could be more significant than this if you were a servant in that temple?

7. Become a public prosecutor

Are you an excellent debater or interested in litigation only, but want a secure and stable career? Then, you can become a public prosecutor (PP) after taking the exam. The public prosecutor represents the state in a criminal case.

To become a public prosecutor, you must have seven years of experience as a practicing advocate and a good command over Criminal Law (Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita), including the Law of Evidence (Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam), the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (Indian Penal Code), and Procedural Law.

The work domain of a public prosecutor is at the trial court or the High Courts. In the Supreme Court, there are no public prosecutors but the Advocate General of India, who represents the Government of India in all cases.

8. Be an assistant prosecution officer

To become an Assistant Prosecution Officer (APO), you must be a bachelor in law with a good command of criminal laws like the Evidence Act, Penal Code, Criminal Procedure Code, and so on.

This exam does not require any practicing experience in court. Once you get the degree of LL.B, you are eligible for the post subject to state criteria and conditions.

The assistant prosecution officer is a gazetted post. The salary is quite good as per the eighth pay commission and ranges from Rs. 90,000 up to Rs. 1.5 lakhs, as per grade.

9. Become a legal journalist

Law and media sound good together. You must have even studied this subject during your LL.B course. Law is so dynamic and explorable that the more you dive into it, the more you realise its beauty.

Do you keep yourself updated with legal news and legal columns? Do you think you are a legal wizard? If yes, you can have a good career in journalism. Be a spectator of the law field for the media!

There are several websites like Live Law, Legal Bites, and Bar & Bench that update you on everyday legal scenarios. To become a legal journalist, you need to be a law graduate and nothing else. You can apply to any company based on your skills. Make sure to be updated with recent legal news across the globe.

10. Be a legal researcher

If you are a man of patience and calmness, this work is for you. Yes, you got it correct. If you like reading research work and do not get bored with paper stuff, then you are ready for this job.

A legal researcher’s task is to search for supportive laws and cases related to a case. It is proper research that makes an argument strong and presentable.

If you prefer a desk job with less physical work, then this is the most appropriate work for you. It is not only about finding case laws. If you do it with a full conscience, you get enlightened with various judgments, supporting laws, etc.

Law is a dynamic field. You realise its depth when you explore it.

Law is more than just a subject. It touches every sector, like aeronautics, information technology, administration, and many more. This is the reason we study administrative law or cyber law.

There is no field in the world where law has not made its presence felt. The fundamental purpose of law is to maintain balance and harmony in society. Therefore, its role is both profound and indispensable.

10 career options after Law college
WritingLaw

Studying law requires constant hard work and attention. People often wonder how to study law. To help, here is a brief guide that shows you how to start studying if you are a new law student or someone who has not focused carefully until today.

This post is primarily targeted towards students who have recently completed class 12th or are freshers in a law college.

The recommendations below are also helpful for those just starting law or looking for guidance on how to start, prepare for law entrance exams, or study law on their own.

I will begin this post in detail and gradually keep things short. It will take 7-10 minutes to read. And I request you to do that. But if you cannot, there is a summary at the end. Read that.

Should I study Law and go into the legal field?

If you recently passed class 12th or if you are a guardian of such a student, this thought definitely comes to you: should I (or my child) go into law?

The short answer is yes. There is no harm in joining the legal field. The initial journey is challenging, especially if you don’t have anyone from your family already established in the legal field. But, after a few years of hard work, things improve.

Plus, you are not limited only to advocacy. There are several career options available in law. Head over to this post where I have talked about ten job and career options after law.

I’m a law student, but I don’t know where to start studying

Answering this question is the primary motive of this article. Let me help.

There are hundreds of Bare Acts. If you are newly inducted into the legal field, you may not know where to start law study.

So, the first thing is to forget worrying. You need to focus on just a handful of subjects as a law student in BALLB or LLB.

The rest of the Bare Acts are selectively important. And the good thing is, as a lawyer, you can always consult books, PDFs, and websites. So, there is no point in memorising everything. Over time, you will automatically have the sections and Articles on your tongue.

Now coming back to the main question, here are the most important subjects that a new, existing, old, or any law student should focus on. These subjects are essential for everything you do in the legal field. Yes, everything!

How to start studying Law

1. Start reading the Constitution of India

As a person in the legal field, you must read the Indian Constitution several times. Often, what you hear in the news and questions you get in law exams are related to the Constitution.

The Constitution is the supreme law of the land. All the laws derive their roots from the Constitution. It contains the fundamentals and principles through which the country is governed.

From where can I read the Constitution of India?

You can find its black & white PDF online for free. IndiaCode is the government website you can trust. If you like something pleasant, colourful and nice, you may buy the updated Constitution PDF and many other important law PDFs from WritingLaw (Rs 340).

Having PDFs is excellent as they enable you to read anywhere, anytime, on a phone or laptop. But, it is also vital that you buy the physical Constitution of India book. It costs around 150 rupees and will go a long way.

What are the important Articles of the Constitution?

Since you are just starting, forget this question! First, read the Constitution at least twice. Read it even if you don’t understand it fully.

Once you finish reading the entire Constitution at least twice, you can turn your focus to just the important Articles. We already have a list where I show you the most important Articles of the Indian Constitution.

Should I make notes of important Articles of the Constitution?

Definitely! Writing always helps. That’s why this website’s name – WritingLaw.

While studying, feel free to jot down important stuff in a notebook. You may also highlight it in a book, etc. In short, it always helps to do such things. But do not cross the limit, and do not highlight every other sentence.

What about the new amendments?

The Constitution of India is often amended to reflect the current needs of the country. You can learn all about the amendment procedure here. Here at WritingLaw, we update it as soon as the Indian Government publishes the official amendment Act.

2. Read the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita has received the Indian President’s approval, and it replaces the previous Indian Penal Code (1860).

So, after reading the Constitution or while reading, you must also focus on the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (Indian Penal Code).

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita is a criminal statute (law). It prescribes what constitutes an offence and the punishment for it. It is a substantive code containing offences related to body, property, etc.

Tip: As a student, you cannot read only one subject for months. So, you should read 2-3 subjects simultaneously. For example, a few hours in the morning, you may read the Constitution. Set afternoon for Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, night for Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and late-night for General Studies, law news, etc.

3. Read the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita

Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita has also received the Indian President’s approval, and it replaces the previous Code of Criminal Procedure of 1973.

This is one of the essential subjects of law. It is procedural law. It contains the procedure to be followed by the courts while trying the person for a criminal offence. It includes investigation, inquiry, trial, etc.

As mentioned above, along with reading the Constitution and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, you should also start focusing side-by-side on the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita.

4. Focus on the Civil Procedure Code

CPC is a procedural law that contains procedures to be followed by the courts while trying a person for a civil wrong or breach. It includes filing of the suit, trial, etc.

It is a big Act with 158 sections and 51 Orders. But necessary for all legal people. So make sure you read the Civil Procedure Code carefully.

You can get its free black & white PDF from India Code. And as usual, we have the colourful PDF for CPC (Rs 340). To read it online, please see this. Plus, it would help to buy its Bare Act book from a bookstore near you or Amazon.

After you finish reading the Act once, you may check out its important sections and Orders.

5. Carefully understand the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam

This new Act has also received the Indian President’s approval, and it replaces the previous Indian Evidence Act of 1872.

Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam is an adjective law. It is neither procedural nor substantive. It helps the court in the method of recording evidence, how the relevance of facts needs to be seen, what can be presumed and what not, expert opinion and on whom shall burden of a proof lie. Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam supports both Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and CPC.

Compared to all the above-mentioned Acts, this one is smaller as it only has 170 sections. However, it is an integral part of the Indian legal system, and you must study it carefully.

6. Other important Acts

Apart from the above law subjects, there are several other important ones like the Indian Contract Act, Hindu Laws, Muslim Law, Transfer of Property Act, Specific Relief Act, and Sale of Goods Act. It would be best to focus equally on these.

If you are a new law student (first or second year of your 5-year course), you have time to cover all these Acts adequately.

If you are in the last year of the 5-year or 3-year law course, please start focusing from today.

7. Additional important things to focus on

Besides the Bare Acts, it is vital to ensure you read the daily law news and stay updated.

Whenever you come across legal maxims, make sure you read them twice to keep them in your memory. These are used in court paperwork and also asked in law exams.

When you come across old or new interesting cases (case laws), make sure you remember them. And even if you cannot, keep the case summary/facts (which are usually interesting) in mind.

If you get a chance to talk to other advocates or seniors, please do that.

In your college, be active in activities like the Moot Court.

Plus, whenever possible and via whatever medium, make sure you read general studies. It is important not only for law exams but all other job and competitive exams as well.

This is how to study law effectively for your law college, entrance exams, bachelor’s degree in law, and competitive law exams. I hope the above tips gave you some insight.

How can WritingLaw’s study material help me?

Bare Acts are the most important thing in law.

WritingLaw has the above Bare Acts as friendly, beautiful, colourful PDFs. It’s affordable, and you will love reading from them.

If you (a law student, advocate, judge, or someone similar) have already read some Acts and are prepared to test your legal knowledge, you can do that using our excellent MCQ Tests.

But if you are just starting, you may skip the tests and only focus on Bare Act PDFs. After some months or a year, come back and buy the MCQ tests.

How to start studying Law
WritingLaw

Judiciary Exams or Judicial Services Examinations are also popularly known as PCS(J), which is an abbreviation for Provincial Civil Service Judicial Examination.

The Judicial Services Exams are conducted in three stages. They are:

1. Preliminary Examination: Objective-type questions (MCQs)
2. Mains Examination: Subjective-type questions (written answers)
3. Personal Interview: Evaluates your personality, prompt knowledge, decision-making, etc.

After you qualify, you become a member of the subordinate judiciary.

Different Indian states conduct the Judicial Services Exam. They have their eligibility criteria, exam pattern, and exam syllabus. Even the actual pay is different.

Here are 13 tips to start preparing for judiciary exams in the best possible way.

1. Select the states you want to appear for

The exam pattern of the judiciary exam for each state differs slightly from one another. Therefore, the first thing to do when you prepare for the PCSJ exam is to select the states you wish to appear for. Once you do that, you can accordingly start studying for it.

2. See question papers of previous years

When you go through the old papers (don’t worry about the answers now), you get an estimate as to how that particular state frames the questions. This is very important as you start to develop an idea about what to expect and what kind of questions to prepare for.

3. Read Bare Acts several times

Bare Acts are the primary source of almost all law questions asked in state judiciary exams. Bare Acts are the backbone of law, and every multiple-choice question, short-answer question, and long-answer question has its root in Bare Acts.

They are helpful even when you write detailed answers. If you have a good command of Bare Acts, you can mention sections, references, and more from these Acts in your subjective answer.

For the best PCSJ preparation, go through Bare Acts as many times as you can. There is no cap. Make a habit of reading and revising them every day.

When you read Bare Acts from the book or PDF, keep a notebook near you. Take notes of little things that surprise you or make you think hard. Writing really helps! Thus, the website name WritingLaw!

4. Focus on ‘may’ and ‘shall’

While reading Bare Acts, focus particularly on places where the use of ‘may’ and ‘shall’ makes the difference. This is confusing, but if you read it a few times, you will emerge victoriously. Once you crack the difference between ‘may’ and ‘shall,’ you won’t forget it ever.

For example, in section 164(1) of CrPC, the proviso says that a confession may also be recorded by audio-video electronic means in the presence of the accused’s advocate. Here, the examiner can confuse you by using ‘shall’ in place of ‘may.’

5. Know where to give less time

Bare Acts and other laws are vast. But there are some portions of all Acts that are not asked frequently.

For example, Chapters 7, 9A, 11, 12, 13, 14, 18, and 19 of the Indian Penal Code are not asked profoundly. And even if asked, the questions are heading-based, which do not require in-depth knowledge of these. So, all you need is to go through the headings and titles of these sections. This will save you time and energy, and you will be able to focus more on essential chapters.

6. Understand where to focus more

Use the resources at your disposal. Talk to your seniors, discuss with your friends, ask your teachers, and make a list of important sections and chapters of the Bare Acts. Once you do that, you should allot your maximum time to these.

7. Go through landmark judgements

Before you appear for a law exam, you must be clear of the landmark judgments and the latest case laws of the last two years. They are also crucial for the current affairs section.

When you write subjective answers and mention facts or statements about recent cases and judgements, the copy checker would form an opinion that the student is well-updated and informed. He might mark you generously!

8. Do not burden yourself with fat reference books

Yes, I am repeating it. Kindly don’t read reference books at this stage when you are preparing for the preliminary exams. Now, you may ask what reference books are.

For example, Indian Polity by M Laxmikanth or books by JN Pandey are considered to be some of the best books for the Indian Constitution. But at the preliminary stage, these are not required.

If you are in the initial stage, you should first read the actual Acts. These books are for the later stage.

However, if you have a doubt about any topic, you can certainly refer to these books for clarification. Just make sure not to indulge too much, or else you won’t be able to thoroughly finish the Bare Acts first.

9. Make a synopsis of all topics

Don’t read long answers for revision. Make a synopsis of all topics while reading so that on D-day, when you wish to go through any topic, you can revise it at a glance. Make bullet points, and number them 1, 2, 3, 4 or A, B, C, D.

10. Use charts, diagrams, and pictorial representation

While preparing for judiciary exams, make ample use of charts, diagrams, graphs, etc., in your rough notebook. Use these to practice several times. Pictorial representation helps you remember better.

Also, when you revise a chart multiple times, its image is imprinted in your brain. So, when you are sitting in the exam hall, these charts instantly come to your mind.

11. Speak orally what you studied

At the end of the day, speak to yourself about whatever you studied today. It does not have to be loud. But it should be audible, at least to you. Once you do that, you will remember it better. Do not hum. Speak what you studied. If something needs counting on your fingertips, do that. Do not be shy about it.

If there is a mirror around, look at it and then vocally revise. Your hard work of the day should be such that, in the evening or at night, you are not ashamed or hesitant to look in the mirror and say ‘Yes! I studied this much today!’

12. Do not panic and get disheartened

Always remember that any single exam is not the end of the road. This world has many doors. The legal field has many opportunities. You might have seen the books and PDFs and wondered, ‘How am I going to remember all that!’ You are not alone. Almost everyone feels this initially.

What is important is how to start. It doesn’t matter how fast you go. What matters is the direction. Suppose your mother asks you to bring curd from the market. The dairy shop is on the east side of the market. Now, what is sensible here? Racing on your bike on the west side and reaching there in 5 minutes or walking slowly and reaching the east side of the market in 20 minutes?

Take your time. Keep all Bare Acts aside except two or at max three. Start the first chapter. When you get bored, read the other Bare Act. Do not think about the rest of the dozen Acts. In the beginning, at a time, focus on a maximum of two or three Bare Acts.

13. Revise every day

Let me give you the market example again. It’s Sunday, and you go to the local vegetable market with a slightly torn jute bag. You buy potatoes from one place, put them inside your bag, and move to the next shop to buy onions. While you were going there, a few potatoes fell off. You didn’t pick them up.

You buy onions, put them in the bag, and walk to buy tomatoes. Onions, too, fall off, and you fail to pick them. They also increase the size of the hole in the bag. This keeps happening. At the end of your shopping, will you not have anything relevant in your possession.

Now, imagine the market as the whole syllabus. Different shops have different Bare Acts. The torn bag is your mind. You fill it, but things slip (it is natural; this is how the human brain works). You fail only when you do not stop, go back, and pick up the fallen information. Going back and revisiting what you learned the previous day, the week before, and the month before is called revision.

Do not rush to learn twenty new things in a day. Learn just five new things every day. But revise the fifteen old stuff you read before.

Failure and success exist together

Despite your strong efforts, if you fail, rise and strike back with greater force. In the end, you have to understand that people like you and me are the ones who pass these exams, and people like you and me are the ones who do not. It is up to you and your actions that decide in which group you will be.

Know that at the end of the day, a good life for yourself, your parents, your wife, and your kids matters the most. If you have the knowledge, you will find a channel to ensure happiness in your family.

Even after three or four years of rigorous studies, if you cannot qualify for an exam, you can use this knowledge, open a coaching centre, and lead a good life. You may become a professor at a law college. Teach online or offline law tuition. The possibilities are many. What matters is how prepared and knowledgeable you are for it!

How to prepare for Judiciary exams
WritingLaw

Judiciary aspirants frequently ask, what are the best books for judiciary exam and competitive legal exams?

Good books and study materials are the tools that you need before you can start your preparation.

To assist law students, here is a list of the best law books for Judiciary exams like BPSC, Delhi Judiciary, Gujarat Judiciary, UP Judiciary, Himachal Judiciary, Rajasthan Judiciary, and other competitive exams.

Before you jump to buy all the books, it is of vital importance to understand that bare acts should always be on the top of your list. Bare Acts are indispensable. They are fundamental to law and thus more critical than any reference book.

Now that we are clear of the basics, here is a short catalogue of the best law books for Judiciary exams, categorised according to subjects.

If all bare act books are too expensive for you, consider buying excellent PDFs of the bare acts from WritingLaw.

Best books for the Constitution of India

1. Constitution Bare Act
2. MP Jain
3. M Laxmikanth
4. Pratiyogita Darpan

Verdict: M. Laxmikanth is the best book to cover the polity part. It contains and covers the concept briefly and precisely. For more, check out which is the best book for Indian Constitution for beginners, Judiciary, and UPSC?

Best books for CPC

1. CPC Bare Act
2. C.K Takwani

Verdict: Takwani covers the entire procedure related to civil in detail and includes the material required for the Mains exam.

Best books for IPC

1. IPC Bare Act
2. K.D Gaur
3. Ratanlal & Dheerajlal

Verdict: K.D. Gaur is preferred more by students.

Important: The Indian Penal Code is replaced by the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. So, you will have to purchase its new Bare Act.

Best books for CrPC

1. CrPC Bare Act
2. Kelkar

Important: The Code of Criminal Procedure is replaced by the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita. So, you will have to purchase its new Bare Act.

Best books for Evidence Act

1. Evidence Bare Act
2. Batuklal

Verdict: Batuklal is the finest book suggested by judicial toppers in their interviews.

Important: The Indian Evidence Act is replaced by the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam. So, you will have to purchase its new Bare Act.

Best books for Contract Act

1. Contract Bare Act
2. Avtar Singh
3. R.K Bangia

Verdict: R.K Bangia is considered to be the best book for conceptual detailing in easy language.

Best books for Hindu Laws

1. Hindu Law Bare Acts
2. Paras Diwan
3. Mulla

Verdict: Paras diwan is a highly recommended book for conceptual clarity, whereas Mulla is for detailed study.

Best book for Muslim Law

1. Akil Ahmed

Best books for Transfer of Property Act

1. TPA Bare Act
2. R.K Sinha
3. Poonam Prashant

Best books for the Specific Relief Act

1. SRA Bare Act
2. Avtar Singh

Best books for Limitation Act

1. Limitation Bare Act
2. J.D Jain

Best book for Negotiable Instruments Act

1. NIA Bare Act

Best book for Law of Torts

1. R.K Banghiya

Best books for cross-examination

1. 11000 Questions for Cross-Examination of Witnesses by Vivek Shandilya and Dr H.P.Gupta (Amazon Link)
2. Pillai – The Art of Cross-Examination (Amazon Link)

Verdict: Both books (by Vivek Shandilya and Pillai) are good for cross-examination. You may refer to any of them. If you are looking for a book in the question-answer format, then refer to Vivek Shandilya’s.

Best book for moot court

1. Moot Court Pre-Trial Preparation And Participation In Trial Proceedings by Dr Kailash Rai (Amazon Link)

Best book for drafting and pleading

1. Singhal Law Publications Drafting, Pleading and Conveyancing (Amazon Link)

2. Ambition Publications also has bare acts available for the Indian Evidence Act, Code of Civil Procedure, and The Idea of Constitution. They are simple and easy to understand.

3. Similarly, for GK and GS, books from Lucent publications are considered excellent and worth reading. Apart from this, it is important that you read or see the news every day.

Where to buy these books

Now you may ask, where can I buy the books that are recommended above? The first place to buy them is in bookstores in or around the court area of your district.

Another place where you can easily find a few of these books is the small bookkeepers near your college area. They may even sell old or used versions of these books for cheap. There is no harm in buying used books as long as the pages are clean and free of highlights, pencil marks, etc.

Finally, one of the comfortable ways is to place an order online on Flipkart or Amazon. But when you order from here, ensure that you buy the latest edition or version of the books if available. Do not buy an older edition just to save a few rupees.

List of best books for Law students
WritingLaw

The Indian judicial system is an organised mechanism for dealing with issues in society. It gives the young generation a wide range of opportunities to get involved in this system and contribute to the best possible service to the country.

Law graduates are eligible to hold positions in all three branches of government: legislature, executive, and judiciary. Other graduates may hold positions in the legislature and executive branch but not in the judiciary. Due to this reason, it is rightly said that a law degree can open the door to a wide range of careers that other degrees may not.

Many statutes, including the Code of Civil Procedure, the Indian Penal Code, and the Code of Criminal Procedure, define the term “judge”.

Judges ensure a fair trial and pronounce the verdict after the case. Judges safeguard the court’s dignity in society without being biased or putting themselves in a risky position.

Let us discuss whether becoming a judge will be a fruitful career for you or not.

Positive and Negative Aspects of a Career as a Judge

Judges are very reputed in the Indian judiciary system. But everything present on this planet has both negative and positive aspects.

The pros and cons of being a judge are listed below that can help you identify whether this career option suits you or not:

Advantages of Career as a Judge

• It is a job with a high level of responsibility and is a very reputed position.
• You can serve the nation by becoming a judge.
• A career as a judge will surely give you financial and job security.
• You will have enough time to balance your personal and professional life.
• It is a powerful job with lots of perks.
• It gives the power to erode the evils existing in society. A power that can protect people.

Disadvantages of Career as a Judge

• It requires a lot of hard work to become a judge.
• It is a sitting job, and you’ll be doing the same work every day.
• Massive competition for growth.
• Mental pressure or stress will be quite often due to different reasons.
• There can be threats if the decision by a judge is not favourable for a party or section of people. Any seat in a high position carries risk. But things can be handled with courage and determination to do good for society.
  

Eligibility for Becoming a Judge

Indian judiciary follows the three-tier structure, i.e., the union judiciary (Supreme Court), state judiciary (High Courts and courts subordinate to it), and subordinate judiciary (District Courts).

A graduate can become a judge by taking the Civil Judge exam conducted by the Public Service Commission. This exam is conducted state-wise. Moreover, the states decide the eligibility and time for conducting the judge exams according to the vacancies available.

Union Judiciary

The Supreme Court of India comprises one Chief Justice of India and 33 other judges. The appointment of judges depends upon the vacancies available.

The eligibility criteria for becoming a Supreme Court judge in India are:

• A person appointed as a judge of the Supreme Court must be a citizen of India and possess a degree of Law from a recognised university.
• He must have served as a judge of a High Court for at least five years or two or more High Courts in a row, or
• He must have worked as an advocate in a High Court or two or more High Courts in a row for at least ten years.
• He shall be a respected jurist, according to the Indian president.
• The individual appointed as a Supreme Court Judge will remain in office until he reaches the age of 65.

State Judiciary

Every High Court consists of one Chief Justice and other judges as may be required from time to time.

The eligibility criteria for becoming a High Court judge in India are:

• The person must be an Indian citizen.
• He or she must have previously worked in a judicial capacity in India for at least ten years, or
• He or she must have experience working as an advocate in two or more such courts consecutively for a period of at least 10 years.
• The person appointed as a High Court judge can serve as a judge until he attains the age of 62 years.

Subordinate Judiciary

There are mainly two types of judges in district courts – District Judge/Sessions Judge and Civil Judge (i.e., the magistrate). The appointment procedure or eligibility criteria for a District Judge and a Civil Judge are different.

The eligibility criteria for becoming an Additional District Judge in India are:

• The person must be an Indian citizen.
• For at least seven years, the person must be an advocate.
• The individual must be at least 35 years old (age differs from state to state).
• The person must pass the test administered by the judicial service.

The eligibility criteria for becoming a Civil Judge or a magistrate are:

• The person must be an Indian citizen.
• He or she must be in the age group between 21 and 35 years (age differs from state to state).
• The person must pass the state judicial service test.

Judicial Service Examination

The judicial service examination is an entry-level exam for Civil Judges organized by every state public service commission and High Court for law graduates. Students can directly take the judicial service exam after graduation to become a member of the subordinate judiciary.

Eligibility Criteria for Judicial Service Examination

There are two categories of judicial service exams, and the eligibility criteria for both are different.

• Lower Judiciary Services: To appear for the judicial services examination, you must have a bachelor’s degree in law. Under the Advocates Act of 1961, the person must have enrolled or qualified to be enrolled as an advocate. It does not require any prior experience, and even students studying in the final year of their law schools can apply for the same as some states allow appearing in exams in the final semester of law. Moreover, it is the state that determines the age limit, and it is usually between the ages of 21 to 35.
• Higher Judiciary Service: Candidates for the higher judiciary services must be law graduates with a minimum of seven years of litigation experience.

Stages of Judicial Service Exam

The judicial service exam has three phases, i.e., preliminary, mains, and interview.

The preliminary examination is an MCQ-based paper, and the person qualifying for this exam will be entitled to appear for the mains examination.

Mains examination is a subjective paper. There are three to four papers in this exam, and the candidates selected in this exam shall be called for an interview round. The number of candidates selected in this round depends upon the vacancies available at that time. Candidates called for interviews are three times the number of vacancies available.

Then, the interview is the last stage, where the candidates are judged and selected based on their qualities, including general interest, personality, and intelligence.

Must See: How to Write the Best Answer in Judiciary Mains Exam

All India Judicial Services Examination

The AIJS exam is a step in which the exam for the recruitment process of additional judges and district judges will be held at the central level. As the UPSC exams are conducted for the whole country, AIJS will be conducted for the judges on the central level in the same way.

In the government’s view, a properly framed All India Judicial Service will significantly strengthen the overall justice delivery system. This will offer an opportunity to select suitable, qualified, fresh legal talent through a proper all-India merit selection system. It shall also address the key issue of social inclusion by enabling suitable representation to marginalised and deprived sections of society. The exam will promote the right talent from lower levels to higher levels.

Duties of a Judge

These are the essential duties of a judge:

• A judge must be fair and impartial, doing everything for the sake of justice and nothing for the benefit of friends or family.
• When addressing a counsel, litigant, or witness, a judge should avoid using a controversial tone or attitude.
• A judge must hear both the parties (prosecution and defence).
• A judge must determine the guilt or innocence of criminal defendants in criminal court and impose punishments on those found guilty.

Benefits and Allowances of a Judge

Apart from the monthly salary, a judge is entitled to a lot of monthly allowances given below:

• House rent allowance
• Travel allowance
• Electricity bill
• Phone bill
• Vehicle maintenance
• Pension after retirement

Executive Magistrate vs Judicial Magistrate

The executive magistrate is the district magistrate of a particular area. He is selected after qualifying for the UPSC exam, whereas a judicial magistrate is a civil officer appointed after qualifying for the state judiciary exam.

The primary difference between a judicial magistrate and an executive magistrate is that a judicial magistrate can handle all the cases and grant punishment for up to 3 years. In contrast, an executive magistrate can take matters related to public peace, maintaining law and order, etc.

Conclusion

I want to state that being a judge is an excellent career option for law graduates. It gives power, reputation, a chance to serve the nation, and various monetary and non-monetary benefits. Still, on the other hand, this profession requires a lot of hard work and dedication, from preparing for the judicial examination to becoming a judge.

Read Next:
1. Best Answer Writing Tips for Law Exams
2. How to Study and Prepare for Judiciary Exam
3. 10 Legal Jobs and Career Options After Law

Career as a Judge – Eligibility, Benefits, Allowances, and More
Anushka Saxena

Each state has its own local laws. Thus, every state judicial exam contains a few local laws in its syllabus.

If we take a look at the Rajasthan judiciary syllabus, there is Rajasthan Rent Control Act, SC/ST Act, and more. In Himachal Pradesh, there is the Stamp Act, Forest Act, Wildlife Act, and others.

Likewise, every state has three to four local laws for regulating state affairs. Covering local acts for judicial exams is important for prelims as well as the mains examination.

Moreover, a judge of a state is expected to have good knowledge of local acts in order to dispense fair judgment.

Local laws in judicial exams carry a substantial weightage of marks. Generally, twenty to thirty percent of questions come from local acts. Avoiding local laws in the examination can cause a hindrance in scoring good marks.

How to Prepare Local Laws for Judiciary Exams

A candidate preparing for judicial services examination, finds himself or herself under immense stress and pressure. Reading, understanding, and revising law subjects takes time. Candidates feel there is inadequate time to prepare for local laws after covering the core subjects.

Here are some ways which can help in your judiciary exam preparation.

1. Allocate a reasonable and appropriate time for every subject. It is vital. You cannot put your focus, time, and energy only on selective subjects.

Each subject has its own importance. For example, a subject that only carries 5 marks in the exam cannot be given more importance than a subject that carries long questions of 20 marks.

2. Make a schedule or a timetable and work according to it. Distributing subjects day-wise can make your work easy and convenient.

3. Local laws can be covered only through bare acts. There is no requirement for any reference books or guides. Reading bare acts properly is more than enough.

4. The questions from local laws are not that tough. If you read it 2-3 times, you will be able to answer them easily. While reading local acts, try to make short notes which you can revise before exams.

5. Always highlight essential words and lines while reading the bare act. You can remember a section only by a word or a sentence if you have the highlights in mind.

6. The preliminary questions from local acts are quite easy and not much twisted. They can be easily answered by using some logic and memory.

7. Revision is the golden key for any service or exam. The more you revise, the more you feel confident in that subject. Local laws are generally read when the exam is near. So, from that point of view, they require more revision.

8. Local acts of any state are not very lengthy. A local Act may be completed in even a day. But never speed up the process to study a new thing because you are looking to save time for revision. If you do not understand the concept well, there is no point in revising it.

9. At the end moment, go through all the points and words you have highlighted earlier. This can speed up your revision, and you will be able to generalise concepts in your mind.

10. If you think that a local law carries only 3-4 marks in the exam and is quite lengthy, then you may decide to leave it for the purpose of preliminary. Studying smart is the real strategy. Plan your time wisely.

Previous Year Question Paper for Local Laws.

Kindly check the syllabus of the state for which you are preparing. Make a list of local laws that need to be covered. Go through the previous year’s question papers. They will give you an idea as to how questions are framed and how many questions have been asked from a particular local act.

Some states like Madhya Pradesh issue allocation of marks to every subject in their syllabus. Therefore, it is better to take ideas from previous year papers.

Conclusion.

Smart study is preferred over hard work. For a local act, stick to its bare act book and nothing else. For the purpose of the mains examination, you can add important case laws for framing your answers up to the mark.

The local bare acts are also available on official websites in pdf form. Download and study from there. Local laws are scoring subjects if written well in the mains exam. They can secure your name on the merit list.

How to Cover Local Laws for Judiciary Exams
Arushi

After completing three or five years of law school, passing the difficult bar test, and securing your first job as an advocate, you might have realised that reading has now become a part of your life – be it reading Bare Acts, case summaries, facts of the case, judgement, circular, new notices, and whatnot.

Leaving your college behind and joining the court’s world surrounded by lawyers or judges might be difficult. As a lawyer, what you now do is significantly different from what you did as a student.

To help, we have a list of books written by renowned writers that will help you quickly become an expert at navigating the legal system and the professional world.

Here are some of the best books for new legal professionals to gain quick tips and ideas.

1. The New Lawyer’s Handbook: 101 Things They Don’t Teach You in Law School – Karen Thalacker

Law school teaches you how to conduct legal research, but that’s only the first part of the struggle. It would be best to learn how to create connections once you have graduated and obtained a job, whether in a major international corporation or your private practice. Working effectively with colleagues and dealing with demanding clients is also essential.

This humorous, short, and easy-to-read book can assist you in finding your way through the seas of legal practice or make a great present for a recent graduate. Although most of the information may seem obvious, the book’s practical structure will make it easier to use the suggestions and methods in your daily life.

See The New Lawyer’s Handbook on Amazon

2. First Things First – Stephen R Covey and A Roger Merrill

Lawyers and other legal professionals are high-achievers by nature, which might cause them to neglect their personal lives. This book is one of the finest for lawyers since it gives you the skills to focus on attaining a good work-life balance.

See First Things First on Amazon

3. Solo by Choice: How to Start Your Own Law Firm, and Be the Lawyer You Always Wanted to Be – Carolyn Elefant

If you have always wanted to do solo legal practice but are afraid to take the step forward, this book will help you gather your confidence and do it effectively.

Solo by Choice is for every lawyer who has ever desired to establish their own practice but is frightened about doing so for any reason, like stress about setting up the office, nervous about finding clients, etc.

This is the right book for you, where you’ll explore best practices and read success stories of other professionals who have started their own practice.

See Solo by Choice on Amazon | Kindle Edition

4. Time Management for Attorneys: A Lawyer’s Guide to Decreasing Stress, Eliminating Interruptions & Getting Home on Time – Shawn McNalis and Mark Powers

Time management is a vital skill for becoming a lawyer since the worry of too many pending cases is always hovering in a lawyer’s head. Shawn McNalis and Mark Powers have given a few tips to improve your time-keeping habits in this book.

Time Management for Attorneys will show you how to manage your daily routine to get your best work done without burning out, with some tips that are relevant to the legal sector.

See Time Management for Attorneys on Amazon

5. The Happy Lawyer: Making a Good Life in the Law – Nancy Levit

Lawyers are not always happy due to specific issues hovering over their minds, but the author in this book goes into the reason for the unhappiness of a lawyer.

In The Happy Lawyer: Making a Good Life in the Law, the authors investigate the root reasons for lawyers’ unhappiness before offering practical solutions. The author has given a step-by-step approach to the lawyers for improving their job satisfaction and happiness.

See The Happy Lawyer on Amazon

6. And the Dead Shall Rise: The Murder of Mary Phagan and the Lynching of Leo Frank – Steve Oney

To be a successful lawyer, you must know what occurs when justice fails and vigilante mobs step in. The terrible, compelling novel of the murder of 13-year-old Mary Phagan and the cover-up of the hanging of Leo Frank, an educated Jewish man accused of her murder based only on the evidence of one person, is told in this book. The lynching of Frank is associated with both the renewal of the Ku Klux Klan and the formation of the Anti-Defamation League, a Jewish civil rights group, as a result of his death.

This well-researched book goes into the facts of the events leading up to Frank’s trial, including how the mob lynch arose and why the details of the event were kept hidden for so long.

See And the Dead Shall Rise on Amazon

7. The Lawyer, the Lion, and the Laundry: Three Hours to Finding Your Calm in the Chaos – Jamie Jackson Spannhake

This book is a blessing for many lawyers! Jamie Jackson Spannhake, the book’s author, was a successful lawyer and busy parent who managed to juggle all of her responsibilities while maintaining a social life. She felt tired and stressed rather than joyful.

Spannhake tells how she began to realise that time management alone was not enough to lead a happy existence in her new book. She explains to her readers how she used mind management to live her life as she desired.

See The Lawyer, the Lion, and the Laundry

8. One Hundred Days Before Trial: A Family Lawyer’s Guide to Preparation and Strategy – Steve Peskind

As a family law attorney, it’s critical to keep up with trial preparation. The author in this book provides a less stressful alternative to rushing at the last minute before the court. Steven teaches advocates how to prepare for trial early and establish an easy-to-follow plan.

One Hundred Days Before Trial is divided into sections that serve as suggestions for typical scenarios. With this book, Peskind pushes for thinking first and acting second. You will eventually enjoy reading this book.

See One Hundred Days Before Trial on Amazon

9. Legal Tech: How Technology is Changing the Legal World – Markus Hartung, Bues, Gernot Halbleib

This guide attempts to assist lawyers in understanding the condition of the field and how it is developing in light of the remarkable development in legal technology. The authors investigate the future of law for legal firms, as well as the influence that current technology may have on professionals throughout the world.

Legal Tech: How Technology is Changing the Legal World is a must-have for every legal company owner who wants to stay up with the changing status of the industry, their rivals, and their clients. It covers everything from Artificial Intelligence to automated workflows.

See Legal Tech on Amazon

Conclusion

The titles mentioned above are among the must-read books for lawyers. Books are always meant to be the best companion of a person.

For lawyers, books are everything. They provide immense practical knowledge along with sharing some real-life experiences. Therefore, it is always advised to read good books.

Read Next:
1. Best Books for Judiciary Exam Preparation
2. Career as a Judge – Advantages, Disadvantages, and More

Best Books for New Lawyers
Anushka Saxena

Judgment writing is an essential part of the judicial services examination. Be it civil judge junior division or higher judicial services, candidates preparing for judiciary exams face questions related to judgment writing.

1. What is Judgment?
2. Best Judgment Writing Tips For Judicial Services Exam
3. Judgment Writing Format (Civil and Criminal)

What is Judgment?

The term judgment is defined in section 2(9) of the Civil Procedure Code, 1908, as “the statement given by the judge on the grounds of a decree or order.”

It means that a judge delivers his judgment on the merits of the decree of a case.

A judgment in a case should be such that conclusively describes the rights and liabilities of the parties on the basis of the decree.

Best Judgment Writing Tips For Judicial Services Exam

The art of writing the best judgment comes from the clarity of legal provisions and principles. The better you understand the law, the brighter it reflects in your judgment.

Every judicial exam contains questions related to judgment writing. Therefore, you must learn the style, art, and format of writing a judgment. There are some minute differences in civil and criminal judgment writing. However, the essence of both is the same; that is, the law and its applicability.

Why You Should Learn Judgment Writing

Delivering judgment in an open court is the main task a judge performs while acting judicially. It is the judgment in a case that sets a precedent for subsequent similar circumstances.

Judgment writing is so important that even in judicial exams it carries a good weightage of marks. If you write it well, you can score excellent marks in the Mains examination. Beautiful judgment writing further leaves a good impression in the mind of the examiner.

What Is the Most Important Thing In Judgment Writing

The soul of judgment writing is the correct application of the law on given facts and circumstances.

The issues put before you in the exam paper examine your analytical skills that how you apply your mind to given facts and issues. Every student reads the law, but that is not enough. Knowing the crux of the law is what is required.

What Is the Format Of Judgment Writing

Candidates preparing for the judicial services exam often ask for the best format of judgment writing. As we mentioned earlier, it is not the best format, but the words written in judgment reflect the mind of a judge.

It is crucial that while giving judgment, a judge must go through all facts of the case. In criminal jurisprudence, it is said that judgment should be delivered beyond a reasonable doubt. This is the reason, the nib of the pen is broken after giving a death sentence so that it can never be used to do that again.

Judgment Writing Format (Civil and Criminal)

1. At the top of the page comes the name of the court in which the suit is being tried, and in brackets, the name of the presiding judge is written.

2. Then after it, on the left side, the civil suit number is written, and the year it started. In a criminal case, you write the charges under which a person is charged.

3. Then, leaving a space of a line, on the left side, you write the plaintiff’s details, such as name, residence, and occupation. In a criminal case, you write the state of XYZ as the state is a prosecutor in a criminal case.

4. Then below it, putting the abbreviation of versus (vs.) in between, comes the details of the defendant, such as name, residence, and occupation. In criminal cases comes the details of the defendant.

5. After writing details, in the centre, you write in bold the word ‘JUDGMENT‘ and in brackets the date of judgment. Same in a criminal case.

6. Then comes the body of the judgment. The first paragraph should contain the nature of the suit.

7. The subsequent paragraph should contain the facts admitted by parties and, in a criminal case, if the accused has given any statement or confession, if any.

8. Then, in brief, the case of the plaintiff and defendant should be written concisely.

9. After it, the issues and findings, points of determination have to be written. The issues can be written like issue 1, issue 2, and likewise.

10. The description of pieces of evidence taken, findings, reasons of findings, and their significance for the case, everything must be stated.

11. If it is a property suit, then it should contain a description of the property as well. In a criminal case, the description of weapons is to be written, if any, discovered or seized.

12. The judgment should be specific and must not contain any ambiguity.

13. Every page of judgment is to be signed by the judge. It should contain the seal of the court and the designation of the judge.

Note: The judgment writing in civil and criminal differs. The format slightly changes. But the format mentioned above clearly gives you a description as to how to write the best judgment.

Some of the changes are that, in place of a civil suit number, in criminal cases, charges are written, and at the end of the judgment, liability and punishment are imposed on the accused. Whereas in civil suits, fine, specific performance, and damages are imposed on the defendant or judgment debtor.

Helpful External Resources:

• Sample of a Civil Judgment Writing: Sonia Mehra vs. Manisha Rawat – Courtesy of Legit Quest
• Sample of a Criminal Judgment Writing: State of Maharashtra vs. Suresh s.o Tukaram Waghade & Others – Courtesy of Legit Quest
• 7 Steps to Clearer Judgment Writing: Courtesy of Maharashtra Judicial Academy

13 Judgment Writing Tips for Judicial Services Exams
Arushi