The Law Trivia

1. When a higher court tells a lower court that it wants to review a particular case, what does the higher court issue?

From Quiz Legal Latin

Answer: Writ of Certiorari

A writ is an order. A writ of certiorari is issued by a higher or appellate court when it feels the need to review a particular case. In the US, this is often where there may be possible conflicts with the Constitution. Many landmark US Supreme Court cases grew out of the issuance of such writs. The word certiorari comes from a Latin word meaning "to be more fully informed."

From Quiz The Legal System and Laws of Germany

Answer: Civil Law

Germany follows the civil law system. In the civil law system, the legal principles, rules and regulations are codified and those codes become the main source of law and are the basis on which courts decide various issues. The statutory law is considered to be more significant and case law is considered to be less significant in deciding cases. Further, in the civil law system the legal codes are brief and of a general nature, while statutory laws clearly state the principles and rules in a detailed manner and are usually very long.

From Quiz Nationality Law in the World

Answer: The acquisition and loss of citizenship of a country

Nationality Law is a law which regulates the acquisition and loss of citizenship of a country. However, although the terms "Nationality" and "Citizenship" are used interchangeably, there is a difference between the two terms. The term "Nationality" refers to the informal membership an individual holds in a particular nation and the terms "Nation" and "Nationality" are actually social categories which refers to a set of individuals who have a common culture, language and territory. On the other hand, the term "Citizenship" refers to the legal status and position of an individual in relation to a state, and this relationship is formal in the sense that it not only gives an individual certain rights but also requires them to perform certain duties towards that state or other similar individuals. However individuals enjoy rights only in democratic countries. In countries which have an authoritarian, totalitarian or dictatorial form of government, individuals don't have any rights, or enjoy very limited types of rights, usually they enjoy only those rights which are permitted by the state or the dictator. However, individuals have to perform all their duties towards the state, even in a dictatorship and in fact, in a dictatorship, much more emphasis is laid on the performance of duties by citizens, than the enjoyment of rights. For example, during the 1930's Germany and Italy had dictatorships while USA and UK had a democratic form of government. However, for all practical purposes, the term "Nationality Law" is used when referring to the laws which govern the acquisition and loss of citizenship in a country.

From Quiz Legal Codes Through History

Answer: Ur

Ur-Nammu was the first governor and later king of Ur, and creator of a dynasty that lasted 100 years. The code covers capital punishment and monetary fines. Capital punishment is applied to offences such as murder, rape and adultery by women. Monetary fines, paid in silver, were imposed for minor offences like knocking out teeth or gouging an eye of another person.

From Quiz Kilted Kangas Weird and Archaic Laws

Answer: A food license

Anything edible requires a food license in Ontario and items have to be in accordance with the food and drug requirements and laws. Submitted by KittyKatey

From Quiz So Sue Me

Answer: smelly feet

Tenbrook's professors and fellow students said it was impossible to concentrate due to the odor. A judge ruled that having smelly feet is no excuse to prevent a student from continuing his studies. Upon delivering his verdict the judge stated, "Our considered opinion is that the professors and other students will just have to hold their noses and bear it."

From Quiz Right or Wrong in Mexico

Answer: Venustiano Carranza

On February 5, 1917, Venustiano Carranza initiated the Mexican Constitution, although it did not come into force until May 1. The Constitution has 136 articles. Carranza is not to be confused with Hidalgo or San Martin, who were the Mexican and Argentinian independence leaders, respectively, nor with Calderon, President of Mexico from 2006 to 2012.

From Quiz Major Crime and Corporal Punishment

Answer: Theft and Vandalism

As a gesture to then President Clinton, Singapore reduced the caning from 6 strokes to 4. Michael also received a 4 month jail sentence and a $2,230 fine.

From Quiz Ten-Four!

Answer: In service

The code 10-8 means 'In service', as in available for calls. The options 'Ready for action' and 'Need a rest break' do not exist, while the code for 'Arrived on scene' is 10-23.

From Quiz Morphine and Chocolate

Answer: Twinkies

Actually, the "Twinkie Defense" was a phrase coined by the media. Twinkies were never mentioned by Dan White's defense team as the cause of his crime. Rather, the fact that the health-conscious White had suddenly started eating junk food was an indication that he was depressed and was thus acting under diminished capacity, which was the actual defense used. White ended up being convicted of manslaughter rather than murder.

From Quiz Tax Facts

Answer: Nero

In ancient Rome, urine was used in the tanning of leather and also by the laundresses who kept all those senatorial togas sparkling white (urine, of course, contains ammonia, a bleaching agent). The tanners and the laundresses collected the urine from public toilets (yes, they had such facilities in the Rome of those days) and used it to ply their trades. It was Nero who hit on the idea of taxing the urine collectors as a means of swelling the public coffers. The tax was later repealed (I guess the citizens raised a bit of a stink about it), but it was reinstated by Nero's successor, Emperor Vespasian. When Vespasian's son Titus wrinkled his nose and expressed his disgust about taxing urine, dear old dad held up a gold coin and said, "Non olet!" (translation: "This doesn't stink!) Oddly enough, even though it was Nero who invented the tax, it is Vespasian's name that is associated with it. In France, public urinals are known as vespasiennes, in Italy, they are vespasiani, and in Rumania, the gentlemen head for the vespasiene when nature calls.

From Quiz Legal Words and Phrases

Answer: To have and to hold.

From the French. This is the introduction language in a habendum clause. The clause is found in a deed.

From Quiz The Indian and American Supreme Courts

Answer: 1789 & 1950

Article III, §1, of the American Constitution provides that "[t]he judicial Power of the United States, shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish." The Supreme Court of the United States was created in accordance with this provision and by authority of the Judiciary Act of September 24, 1789 . It was organized on February 2, 1790. http://www.supremecourtus.gov/about/about.html On the 28th of January, 1950, two days after India became a Sovereign Democratic Republic, the Supreme Court came into being. The inauguration took place in the Chamber of Princes in the Parliament building which also housed India's Parliament, consisting of the Council of States and the House of the People. It was here, in this Chamber of Princes, that the Federal Court of India had sat for 12 years between 1937 and 1950. This was to be the home of the Supreme Court for years that were to follow until the Supreme Court acquired its own present premises. http://supremecourtofindia.nic.in/new_s/constitution.htm The Federal Court in India's case had been set up after the passage of the Government of India Act, 1931 which devolved some powers to local legislatures by the British Government, and a Federal Court at Delhi to adjudicate with regard to matters relating to the Government of India Act, 1931.

From Quiz International Criminal Police Organization (ICPO)

Answer: 1923

The idea first came up at the 1914 International Criminal Police Congress in Monaco to set up an international agency to combat crime across the globe. It was brought up again at the 1923 Congress in Vienna, Austria and made an organization the same year.

From Quiz History's Most Famous Trials I

Answer: Plato

Our only sources of information about Socrates' trial comes down to us through the 'apologies' of Plato and Xenophon, both students of the great philosopher. Socrates was accused of heresy and corruption of the youth of Athens, and he was found guilty on both counts. He took hemlock, carrying out his own execution.

From Quiz Legal Drinking Ages by Country

Answer: 18

Hefty fines are levied on adults who purchase alcohol on a minor's behalf. Licences are also routinely revoked for establishments which are caught selling alcohol to those under age.

From Quiz European Union Law

Answer: the European Court of Justice

The Court is situated in Luxembourg and is responsible for ensuring the judicial control of European Union law as it is made and of interpreting the Constitution of the Union. The Court of First Instance does help it with its workload and the appeals from this Court can go to the European Court of Justice.

From Quiz Famous Lawyers

Answer: Sam Sheppard

Hence, 'The Fugitive'.

From Quiz More Interesting Trials Through History

Answer: Selling state secrets

They said that he sold secrets to the Germans.

From Quiz Interesting Trials Through History

Answer: James Whistler

I believe he was accused of 'tossing a pot of paint in the face of the public'

From Quiz General Legal Concepts #1

Answer: English Common Law

The Legal Concepts that dominate the legal world are Civil Law, English Common Law and Islamic Law. English Common Law is the most widely used in former British colonial countries (hence its reliance in the United States), as well as most Commonwealth countries, whereas the Civil Law is used mostly throughout Europe and in those countries where European powers of the 17th, 18th and 19th Centuries colonized. Islamic law is only found in those countries where Islam dominates society.

From Quiz Legal Latin

Answer: Evidence that can stand on its own

"Prima facie" is a Latin term meaning "at first glance". It also describes evidence upon which a case can be built.

From Quiz That's Just Criminal...

Answer: He waived all rights to an appeal

Joe Gonzales, an Hispanic roofer, was 31 years old when he shot his boss, 50-year old William J. Veader, and then robbed him. After the shooting/robbery Gonzales spent time trying to make the shooting look like a suicide, since he had executed a headshot. Initially police thought the victim's gunshot wound was self-inflicted. However, after investigating the circumstances, they soon determined it was actually murder. When he was caught, Gonzales decided to both act as his own lawyer and refuse all appeals. (These appeal processes in Texas take on average eight years to undertake.) In court, Gonzales clearly wasn't in any way delusional about his behaviour. He stated 'I am a man who has no regard for the law. I am a man who has no regard for humanity. I ask for no sympathy, no empathy - but I do ask for you to follow the law.' It took the jury just 12 minutes to recommend the death penalty. Gonzales was executed by lethal injection in Texas on September 18, 1996.

From Quiz Everything Will Be Fine

Answer: £17,253 ($24,046)

Leeds were fined by the Football Association, even though the FA admitted that no rule had been broken, but the offence was an ethical misdemeanour involving 'acting in good faith towards other clubs'. Montenegro on the other hand were fined by governing body UEFA, and their much lower fine covered not just the racist abuse but also the offences of setting off fireworks, throwing objects, crowd disturbances and blocking stairways.

From Quiz The Legal System and Laws of Germany

Answer: The Constitution

The Constitution is the "Basic Law" of Germany. The present constitution of Germany came into force in 1949. It is based, to some extent on the constitution of the Weimar Republic but it clearly states the principles on the basis of which the Federal Republic of Germany will be governed such as democracy, republicanism, federalism and also clearly explains the rights and duties of its citizens and the powers and functions of various political institutions. It also provides for separation of the legislature, executive and judiciary.

From Quiz Nationality Law in the World

Answer: By birth, descent, naturalization and entitlement

In Austria, it is possible for a person to acquire Austrian citizenship by birth, descent, naturalization and entitlement. Austrian citizenship by birth is when a person acquires citizenship by virtue of his or her being born in Austria although this doesn't automatically entitle such a person to citizenship. However, it is still useful since a person who is born in Austria can apply for a reduction of the residency requirement when he or she is applying for citizenship. The easiest way to acquire Austrian citizenship is by descent, meaning that any person who is born to Austrian parents, is an Austrian citizen. However, both the parents must be Austrians in this case. Another provision is that, according to the current laws, if both parents are legally married, then a person born to such parents is an Austrian citizen as long as one of the parents is an Austrian citizen. For example, a child born in Austria to a Portuguese father and an Austrian mother is an Austrian citizen by descent, as long as both the Portuguese father and Austrian mother are legally married to each other. There are also separate provisions for children born to parents who aren't legally married to each other. Finally, aliens who cannot acquire citizenship through either of these routes, can apply for Austrian citizenship by naturalization and entitlement. Most people acquire citizenship through this method. There are separate provisions for various categories of people who are entitled to acquire Austrian citizenship through naturalization. For example, in case of aliens who wish to become naturalized citizens on the basis of their marriage to an Austrian citizen, the alien spouse of an Austrian citizen must be married to his or her Austrian spouse for at least five years and must have resided legally in Austria for at least six years. There are separate provisions for other categories of people who can become Austrian citizens on the basis of naturalization through entitlement.

From Quiz Kilted Kangas Weird and Archaic Laws

Answer: Carrying a bow and arrow

The "law" about being allowed to kill a Scotsman carrying a bow and arrow in York is one of those ancient British regulations that have been superceded by Parliamentary legisation, but still survive in statute. Clearly, laws against murder would take precedence in a modern court. Submitted by scotsbluebell.

From Quiz A Merry Legal Christmas

Answer: mince pie

Here the Puritans were at work again to rid the world of Christmas. Parliament under Cromwell was said to have banned many festive foods, decorations, and events. However, these laws did not stay in effect once Charles II was restored to the monarchy. In modern times, they are effectively unenforceable.

This is category 5823
Last Updated Jul 19 2025 5:47 AM

= Top 5% Rated Quiz, Top 10% Rated Quiz, Top 20% Rated Quiz, A Well Rated Quiz
= added recently, = Editor's Pick = FunTrivia Editor = Gold Member
Teachers / educators: FunTrivia welcomes the use of our website and quizzes in the classroom as a teaching aid or for preparing and testing students. See our education section. Our quizzes are printable and may be used as question sheets by k-12 teachers, parents, and home schoolers.

 ·  All questions, answers, and quiz content on this website is copyright FunTrivia, Inc and may not be reproduced without permission. Any images from TV shows and movies are copyright their studios, and are being used under "fair use" for commentary and education.