ISC Class 12 Syllabus 2027 Legal Studies

ISC YEAR 2027

INDIAN SCHOOL CERTIFICATE
EXAMINATION

LEGAL STUDIES
(881)

February 2025
____________________________________________________________________________________________

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Examinations is committed to serving the nation's
children, through high quality educational
endeavours, empowering them to contribute towards
a humane, just and pluralistic society, promoting
introspective living, by creating exciting learning
opportunities, with a commitment to excellence.

ETHOS OF CISCE

Trust and fair play.
Minimum monitoring.
Allowing schools to evolve their own niche.
Catering to the needs of the children.
Giving freedom to experiment with new ideas
and practices.
Diversity and plurality - the basic strength for
evolution of ideas.
Schools to motivate pupils towards the
cultivation of:
Excellence - The Indian and Global
experience.
Values - Spiritual and cultural - to be the bedrock
of the educational experience.
Schools to have an 'Indian Ethos', strong roots in
the national psyche and be sensitive to national
aspirations.

LEGAL STUDIES (881)

Aims:
1. To understand the evolution of the Indian legal 7. To understand the practical principles of
system, including its historical development law, such as Rule of Law, justice
and influences, and its current structure. principles, and the differentiation between
2. To comprehend the applicability of justice, criminal and civil cases.
equity, and good conscience in the context of 8. To gain knowledge of the key concepts of
the Indian legal framework, especially within property, contract, and tort law, with a
the Common Law system. focus on their relevance to everyday legal
3. To explore various legal systems such as matters.
Common Law, Civil Law, and their 9. To develop an understanding of contract
distinctions, with a focus on their relevance to law, including contract formation, terms
Indian law. and conditions, and the discharge of
4. To analyse the core principles of the Indian contracts.
Constitution, including Fundamental Rights, 10. To explore the rights and duties of
Separation of Powers, and the structure and individuals and the various categories of
functioning of courts. liability, which form the foundation of
5. To grasp the concept of precedent in judicial legal understanding.
decision-making, understanding its importance 11. To create awareness of the role of legal
in the interpretation of laws and the functioning services authorities, focusing on how they
of the judiciary. promote access to justice as per Article
6. To examine the legislative process in India, 39A of the Constitution.
including the role of statutory interpretation and 12. To familiarise with modes of dispute
the basic principles underlying it. resolution, evaluating their merits,
efficacy, and application in different legal
contexts.

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CLASS XII
There will be two papers in the subject: (vi) Offences against child
Paper I - Theory: 3 hours ……70 marks • 91 Abandonment of child under 12 years
by parents or person taking care of it
Paper II- Project Work: …30 marks • 93 Exposure and abandonment of child
under twelve years of age
PAPER – I (THEORY) – 70 Marks
(vii) (a) Offences affecting Human Body (Part I)-
1. The Bharatiya Nayaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 Elements & Examples
Elements of Crime; Stages in Crime; Punishments • 100 Culpable Homicide
(Section 4) & defences; Inchoate Crimes – • 101 Murder
Elements, Examples & Punishment; Offences • 103(1) Punishment for Murder
against Women – Elements, Examples & • 106 Causing death by negligence
Punishment; Offences against child; Offences • 109 Attempt to murder;
affecting Human Body; Offences against Property (b) Offences affecting Human Body (Part II)-
(Section 2 (21) – Elements, Examples & Elements & Examples
Punishment. • 111 (1) & 111 (2) Organised crime
• 112 Petty organised crime
(i) Elements of Crime: Mens Rea & Actus Reus; • 128 Force
(ii) Stages in Crime: Intention, Preparation,
• 129 Criminal Force
• 130 Assault
Attempt, Commission;
(iii) Punishments (Section 4) – (viii) Offences against Property (Section 2 (21) –
• Death Elements, Examples & Punishment
• Imprisonment for Life Imprisonment- • 303 Theft
Rigorous and Simple • 304 Snatching
• Forfeiture of Property • 308 Extortion
• Fine • 309 Robbery
• Community Service • 310 Dacoity
Defences: • 314 Criminal Misappropriation of
Property
a. Defences based on justifications: Private
Defence, Necessity, Consent • 316 Criminal Breach of Trust
b. Defences based on excuses: Duress, • 318 Cheating
Intoxication, Mistake, Infancy, Case Laws:
Unsoundness of Mind, Intoxication
Machhi Singh and Others v. State of Punjab,
(iv) Inchoate Crimes – Elements, Examples & AIR 1983 SC 957
Punishment Gian Kaur v. State of Punjab (1996) 2 SCC 648
• 45 Abetment Pawan Kumar v. State of Haryana, 1998 (3)
• 61 Criminal Conspiracy SCC 309
• 62 Attempt Ghapoo Yadav v. State of MP (2003) 3 SCC
(v) Offences against Women – Elements, 528
Examples & Punishment State of AP v. R, Punnayya, AIR 1977 SC 45
• 74 Assault or use of criminal force to KM Nanavati v. State of Maharashtra AIR 1962
woman with intent to outrage her SC 605
modesty Virsa Singh v. State of Punjab, AIR 1958 SC
465
• 78 Stalking
Cherubin Gregory v. State of Bihar AIR 1964
• 80 Dowry death
SC 205
Pyare Lal Bhargava v. State of Rajasthan AIR
1963 SC 1094

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Jaikrishandas Manohardas Desai v. State of (c) Legal Services Authorities and
Bombay, AIR 1960 SC 889 Committees at various levels (only
Mahadeo Prasad v. State of West Bengal, AIR hierarchy);
1954 SC 724 (d) Eligibility for getting free Legal Aid
[The cases mentioned above are indicative and
provided solely for reference purposes] (iii) Role of Educational Institutions and Para
2. Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) Legal Volunteers.
Judicial and Quasi-Judicial Bodies, Tribunals, 4. Indian Contract Act, 1872
Arbitration, Conciliation, Mediation, Lok Adalat Contract -Introduction, Essentials of a Valid
(i) Differences between Judicial and Quasi- Contract, Types, Void Agreement
Judicial Bodies; (i) Introduction to Contracts (Proposal,
(ii) Understanding the concept of Tribunals as Promise, Agreement, Contract)
Quasi-Judicial Forums [for example National (a) Meaning of Contract- Definition
Green Tribunal (NGT), Income Tax Appellate (b) Types of Contracts- Valid, Void,
Tribunal (ITAT)] Voidable, Express & Implied
(iii) Section 89 of Code of Civil Procedure as
source of ADR system (ii) Formation of Contract
(iv) Benefits of ADR system, which disputes can (iii) Essentials of a Valid Contract
be covered. (a) Offer and acceptance
(v) Arbitration- (b) Intention to create legal relationship
(a) Meaning, Arbitration Agreement, Court (c) Consideration
Referral of Arbitration (Section 8); (d) Capacity to Contract
(b) Arbitral Award - significance, (e) Free Consent- Sections 13 to 22
comparison with a judgement, setting
(f) Legality of object
aside of an arbitral award.
(vi) Mediation & Conciliation (iv) Void Agreement ( Section 23 to 30)
(a) Meaning and scope; (v) Differences between-
(b) Role of the Mediator & Conciliator ;
(a) Coercion & Undue Influence
Sanctity of Settlement arrived through
Mediation & Conciliation (b) Fraud & Misrepresentation
(vii) Differences between Arbitration and (c) Void & Voidable Contract
Conciliation, Mediation and Conciliation; (d) Valid Contract & Void Agreement
(viii) Lok Adalat-
5. Law of Torts
(a) Who organises Lok Adalat
(b) Jurisdiction Nature and definition of Tort, Kinds of Wrong in
(c) Award of Lok Adalat & its significance Tort Law, Cyber Torts,Vicarious Liability
(i) Tort- Introduction
3. Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 (a) Definition & Essential Constituents of
Spirit of Article 39A of the Constitution of Tort
India; Objectives; Legal Aid for the deserving (b) Kinds of wrong in tort law - Intentional
sections of society. Tort, Negligence Tort and Strict Liability
(i) Importance of Article 39A of the Constitution (Meaning with examples)
of India; (c) Intentional Torts (Meaning with
(ii) Legal Services Authority Act, 1987- examples)
(a) Objectives; (1) Trespass to body - Assault & Battery
(b) Section 4- Functions of the Central (2) Trespass to Property
Authority (National Legal Services (3) Nuisance
Authority (4) Defamation
(5) False Imprisonment
(d)Tort of Negligence (Meaning & Elements)
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(e) Strict Liability, Absolute Liability (f) Right to Constitutional Remedies - Writs
(1) Strict / No Fault Liability - Rule in (Article 32)
Rylands v Fletcher with exceptions (ii) Directive Principles of State Policy -
(2) Rule of Absolute Liability - Rule in Meaning, Justiciability; Differences between
M.C Mehta Case Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles
(3) Differences between Strict and of State Policy.
Absolute Liability (iii) Fundamental duties – Meaning and all
(ii) Cyber Torts-Meaning and examples enumerations.
(iii) Vicarious Liability
(a) Meaning & Essentials 8. Important Laws
(b) Principles of Vicarious Liability:
• Quit Facit Per Alium Facit Per Se The Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993
• Respondeat Superior (with Amendment Act, 2006), Lokpal and
Lokayukta Act 2013
6. Transfer of Property Act, 1882 (i) Definition of Human Rights; Differences
Property, Modes of transfer of property, between Human rights and Fundamental
Doctrines Rights; The Protection of Human Rights Act,
1993 – object of enactment, composition
(i) Types of Property: Movable and Immovable, (Section 3) & function of NHRC (Section 12)
definition of ‘immovable property under S.3 (ii) Ombudsman-Meaning and concept, Scope
TPA and S.3(26) General Clauses Act 1908’. Objectives and limitation of Lokpal and
(ii) Transfer of Property - Meaning (Section 5); Lokayukta Act 2013, Differences between
What may be transferred (Section 6); Persons Lokpal and Lokayukta.
competent to transfer (Section 7)
(iii) Modes of transfer of property (Sale, 9. Legal Maxims
Mortgage, Lease, Exchange, Gift, Actionable
Claim) - Definition & Illustrations; Important Legal Maxims.
Differences among Sale, Mortgage & Lease Meaning of the following:
(iv) Doctrine of Election, Doctrine of Lis
− Actus non facit reum nisi mens sit rea
Pendens.
− Ad valorem
7. Fundamental Rights, Duties and Directive − Amicus Curiae
Principles of State Policy − Audi Alteram Partem
Fundamental Rights, Right to Constitutional − Assentio Mentium
Remedies, Restriction on the exercise of
− Bona fide
Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles of State
Policy; Fundamental Duties − Bona Vacantia
(i) Fundamental Rights guaranteed by the − Caveat Emptor
Constitution. − Corpus Delicto
(a) Right to Equality (Articles – 14-18) − Damnum Sine Injuria
(b) Right to Individual freedoms (Articles –
19-22) including Restrictions on the − De Die in Diem
exercise of the fundamental rights – − De Minimis Lex Non Curat
public order, health and morality under − Doli Incapax
Article 19 − Ejusdem Generis
(c) Right against exploitation (Articles – 23- − Ex Post Facto
24)
− Ignorantia Facti Excusat – Ignorantia Juris
(d) Right to freedom of religion (Articles –
Non Excusat
25-28)
(e) Right of cultural minorities (Articles – − Injuria Sine Damnum
29-30) − Locus Standi

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− Nemo Debet Esse Judex in Propria Sua Evaluation of Study by the Visiting Examiner
Causa [10 marks]
− Nemo dat quod non habet 1. Presentation 2 Marks
− Noscitur a Sociis
2. Content 2 Marks
− Obiter Dicta
3. Analysis 3 Marks
− Pari Materia
− Per Incuriam 4. Viva-voce based on the Study 3 Marks
− Quid pro quo
List of suggested studies for Project Work:
− Ratio Decidendi
− Res ipsa loquitur 1. There can be a situation where a particular act
may be both a civil wrong as well as a criminal
− Res Judicata Accipitur Pro Veritate
wrong. Elaborate on the basis of a case study.
− Salus Populi Est Suprema Lex
2. "Changing the Decision-Making Process: From
− Stare Decisis Lawsuit to Arbitration." Analyse with objectivity.
− Ubi Jus Ibi Remedium 3. Research the following case studies and submit
your findings on any two:
PAPER-II (a) Lalman Shukla v Gauri Dutt case - 1913 40
(PROJECT WORK)–30 MARKS ALJ 489
(b) Balfour v Balfour [1919] 2 KB 571
In keeping with the significance of doing project
(c) Mohori Bibee v Dharmodas Ghose, [1903]
work and gaining a hands-on understanding of
UKPC 12
various contemporary issues, candidates are expected
(d) Chikham Amiraju v Chikham Seshamma ILR
to undertake two studies of 15 Marks each.
(1918) 41 Mad 33, 36.
Topics for the studies should be chosen from within (e) Derry v Peek (1889) LR 14 AC 337 at p. 374.
the overall syllabus as there is ample scope for (f) Raffles v Wichelhaus (1864) 2 Hurl & C 906
diversity. Candidates should synthesise information
4. Investigate the legal issues associated with
from a range of sources, including cases, legislation,
electronic contracts.
the media and international instruments, to support a
legal argument. Topics should extend areas of 5. Discuss five instances from day-to-day life where
individual or group interests from any chapter you let go what could reasonably fall within the
covered in Theory, after understanding the legal ambit of the Law of Torts.
functions, practices and institutions. 6. “A mediator or conciliator must lead parties into
The project work will be assessed by the teacher the grey shaded areas of a problem where a
and a Visiting Examiner appointed locally and variable range of outcomes becomes available to
approved by CISCE. achieve a mediated consensual resolution. It is
the skill with which this “grey area” is negotiated
Mark allocation per Study [15 marks] will be as that the success of Part III of the Act will depend.
follows:
(A message by Mr. Fali S. Nariman, in the
1. Evaluation by the teacher 5 Marks Handbook on Arbitration)
2. Evaluation by the Visiting 10 Marks Prepare a report containing the following:
Examiner (a) Discuss the role of Mediator and Conciliator
in the ADR process.
(b) Are their decisions legally binding or
appellable?
(c) Is it time to make ADR compulsory in India?
7. Attend one or more courts or tribunals in civil and
criminal cases. Observe their operation and
prepare a report containing the following:

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outline of different types of laws; comparison of GUIDELINES FOR TEACHERS
the purpose of different types of Laws; distinction
1. It must be emphasized that the process of doing the
between civil and criminal court procedures;
project is as important as the final project.
identification of the role of legal personnel
involved in the court process; comparison of the 2. Once the project/projects are chosen, there should
common and civil law systems. be a process of brainstorming to encourage
students to make out a draft/structure for the
8. As per the records of National Campaign Against
project before embarking on research.
Torture, in the year 2019, out of 125 deaths, 93
occurred in police custody due to alleged torture 3. During the brainstorming/discussion, the teacher
and foul play, police claimed that 24 persons out should discuss the assessment criteria with the
125 committed suicide or died due to illness students.
while the death occurred under suspicious 4. The teacher should discuss the draft with the
circumstances, and the reasons for 5 deaths were student with regard to the central question and the
unknown. type of sources to be used.
Section 197 of the Criminal Procedure Code
5. The students should be guided on doing the
states that if a government officer commits a
research and looking at different types of evidence.
criminal offence in the discharge of his duty, he
cannot be prosecuted without a prior sanction of 6. Books and suitable reference material could be
the Central or State Government. suggested by the teachers and made available to the
Prepare a report on Human Rights Violations by students.
Police in India and endeavours to prevent it by 7. Internet sites could be suggested, but care must be
the Judiciary and Human Rights Commission. taken in selecting, using and citing these sites.
9. In light of the Prashanth Bhushan case, analyse 8. Students must be cautioned against plagiarism and
"Free Speech Vs. Contempt of Court." be penalized for the same.
10. Write an essay on, ‘Tracing the Development of 9. Marks must be awarded for content and originality
Mens Rea’. and not for decorative elements and
embellishments.
11. Motor Vehicles Act- Key provisions, Traffic
10. Projects must be the original work of the student.
Violations & Punishments. Relevant case studies
to be cited. NOTE: No question paper for Project work will be
set by CISCE.
OR
Provide a socio-legal analysis of India's dowry
system.

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