Sample Questions

Part of: A Bumper Guide to Essay-Writing Skills for the Law National Aptitude Test

Exploring Complex Legal and Ethical Dilemmas: A Collection of Thought-Provoking Questions

Dive into the heart of legal and ethical debates with this curated selection of challenging questions designed to spark deep reflection and analysis. Whether you’re preparing for the LNAT, engaging in academic discourse, or simply exploring the intricacies of law and morality, these prompts will guide your intellectual journey.

  1. Evaluating Euthanasia: What are the pros and cons of legalising euthanasia?
  2. Accountability Without Direct Causation: Can a person justifiably be held responsible for damage they didn’t directly cause? Under what conditions?
  3. The Merits of the Jury System: Should the jury system be maintained or abolished? Share your viewpoint.
  4. Religious Beliefs vs. Medical Necessity: Is it right for courts to respect a minor’s refusal of life-saving treatment due to religious beliefs, like refusing a blood transfusion?
  5. Rights of Squatters: Should individuals squatting in a property ever be granted legal rights to reside there?
  6. Organ Sale Legislation: Discuss the implications of legalising the sale of human organs.
  7. Liability for Drug-Related Deaths: Should drug dealers be held accountable for the death of individuals who overdose on their supplied drugs?
  8. The Concept of War Crimes: Is the designation of certain acts as “war crimes” justified?
  9. Systemic Injustices within the Criminal Justice System: Does the criminal justice system disproportionately violate the rights of minorities and the impoverished?
  10. The Objective of Education: Do you agree that the primary aim of education is to prepare students for the workforce? Why or why not?
  11. Parliamentary Supremacy in Lawmaking: Should law creation be the sole responsibility of Parliament?
  12. Intellectual Property Rights: Consider the case for intellectual property protection over:
    • (a) a unique fragrance,
    • (b) personal names,
    • (c) private medical information about public figures.
  13. Corporate Criminal Liability: Should companies, as legal entities, be able to be convicted of criminal offenses? What circumstances would warrant such convictions?
  14. The Debate on a Written Constitution for the UK: Would a written constitution benefit the UK?
  15. Moral Obligations to Family vs. the World: Are we morally obligated to treat our family and friends with greater consideration than others?
  16. Consent and Criminal Liability: Is it reasonable for consent to negate what would otherwise be considered a criminal act?
  17. Capital Punishment and Democratic Values: Would ignoring public support for the reinstatement of the death penalty represent a failure of democracy in the UK?
  18. Preventive Detention for Security Concerns: Can detaining individuals suspected of future crimes without trial ever be morally or legally justified?
  19. Freedom of Speech: Winners and Losers: Who benefits from freedom of speech, and who might be harmed?
  20. The Use of DNA Databases in Crime Fighting: Should governments be obligated to use DNA registers in the fight against crime?
  21. Critiquing Foreign Legal and Cultural Norms: Is it ever justified to challenge the legal values and moral beliefs of different cultures or nations?
  22. Judicial Discretion in Law Enforcement:
    • (a) Should judges have the authority to refuse enforcement of laws they deem contrary to fundamental principles like human rights?
    • (b) What guidelines would you propose for judges making such decisions?
  23. Funding for the Arts: Should public funding for the arts be sustained?
  24. The Value of Space Exploration: Is space travel a worthwhile endeavour for humanity?

These questions invite you to dissect and debate some of the most pressing legal and ethical issues of our time. As you ponder your responses, consider the broader implications of each position and the balance between societal good and individual rights.