NEB Class 12 Humanities Legal Drafting Question Paper 2082 (Set A) Nepal

Legal drafting is the skilled art of preparing legal documents — such as deeds, petitions, contracts, pleadings and statutes — in clear, precise, unambiguous and legally correct language so that they accurately express the intention of the parties and are enforceable under law.

A First Information Report (FIR / जाहेरी दरखास्त) is submitted to the nearest Police Office (प्रहरी कार्यालय) having jurisdiction over the place where the offence was committed.

A power of attorney (वारेसनामा) is useful because it allows a person who cannot personally be present or attend to a legal or business matter to authorise a trusted representative (attorney/वारेस) to act and make decisions on his or her behalf. It thereby saves time, ensures legal work is carried out smoothly even in the principal's absence, and gives the representative lawful authority recognised by courts and offices.

Any two private transaction documents (व्यक्तिगत कारोबारका लिखत):

1. Deed of sale (राजीनामा / बिक्री लिखत)
2. Deed of bond / loan (तमसुक)

(Other acceptable answers: gift deed (दानपत्र), will (वकसपत्र), partition deed (अंशबण्डा), power of attorney (वारेसनामा).)

A 'Will' (वकसपत्र) is a legal document by which a person (the testator) declares how his or her property shall be distributed or transferred to others after his or her death. It takes effect only after the death of the person making it and can be altered or revoked during the testator's lifetime.

Any two essential elements of a valid contract (वैध करारका तत्त्व):

1. Free consent / offer and acceptance (स्वतन्त्र सहमति) of the parties.
2. Lawful consideration and a lawful object (वैध प्रतिफल र वैध उद्देश्य).

(Also acceptable: competence/capacity of the parties to contract.)

Any two requirements of a deed of bond (कपाली तमसुक):

1. The names, addresses of the lender and borrower and the principal amount of loan taken.
2. The rate of interest and the time/condition for repayment, with the signatures of the borrower and witnesses (साक्षी) and the date.

A recommendation letter (सिफारिस पत्र) is an official document issued by a competent authority (such as a Ward Office, school, employer or local body) certifying particular facts about a person — such as identity, residence, character or eligibility — and recommending that person for a specific purpose (e.g. citizenship, electricity connection, a job or admission).

A summons (समाह्वान) is a written order issued by a court directing a defendant or party to appear before it on a specified date and time to answer a claim or charge filed against him or her, failing which the case may proceed in his or her absence.

Legal Drafting and Its Basic Principles

Meaning of legal drafting

Legal drafting is the art and skill of preparing legal documents — deeds, petitions, pleadings, contracts, statutes and other instruments — in clear, accurate, unambiguous and legally valid language, so that the document correctly expresses the intention of the parties and is enforceable in law.

Basic principles of legal drafting

1. Clarity (स्पष्टता): The language must be clear and easily understood, leaving no room for confusion.
2. Accuracy / Precision (शुद्धता): Facts, figures, names, dates and legal references must be exact and correct.
3. Brevity / Conciseness (संक्षिप्तता): The matter should be expressed in as few words as possible without omitting necessary points.
4. Unambiguity (अस्पष्टता रहित): Words must convey a single, definite meaning so the document cannot be interpreted in different ways.
5. Logical sequence (तार्किक क्रम): Contents should follow a proper, orderly arrangement.
6. Legality / Conformity to law (कानुनसम्मत): The draft must comply with the prevailing law, format and required formalities.
7. Completeness (पूर्णता): All essential matters and parties must be included.
8. Use of correct legal terminology (उपयुक्त कानुनी शब्दावली): Standard legal terms should be used appropriately.

Elements of a Written Response (लिखित जवाफ / Statement of Defence)

A written response is the formal reply filed by the defendant (प्रतिवादी) answering the claims made in the plaintiff's plaint. The following elements should be stated in it:

1. Name of the court (अदालतको नाम): The court before which the response is filed.
2. Details of the parties (पक्षहरूको विवरण): Full name, address, age and father's/husband's name of the plaintiff and defendant, and the case number and subject of the case.
3. Replies to the plaint's claims (दाबीको खण्डन): A point-by-point admission or denial of the facts and claims stated in the plaint, with the defendant's version of the facts.
4. Grounds and reasons of defence (प्रतिरक्षाका आधार): The legal and factual grounds on which the defendant rejects the claim, supported by evidence.
5. Reference to law and evidence (कानुन र प्रमाण): Relevant legal provisions and supporting documents/witnesses relied upon.
6. Prayer/relief sought (माग दाबी): The request to the court to dismiss the plaintiff's claim and the relief sought by the defendant.
7. Date and signature (मिति र दस्तखत): The date of filing and the signature of the defendant (or his legal practitioner).

The written response must be truthful, relevant and filed within the time limit prescribed by law.

Sample Draft: Advance Payment Deed (बैनाबट्टा लिखत)

बैनाबट्टाको लिखत

यस लिखतको पहिलो पक्ष (जग्गाधनी/बिक्रेता): श्री _______, उमेर ___, ठेगाना _______, का छोरा/छोरी श्री _______ ।

यस लिखतको दोस्रो पक्ष (खरिदकर्ता): श्री _______, उमेर ___, ठेगाना _______ ।

माथि उल्लिखित प्रथम पक्षको हक भोगको _______ जिल्ला, _______ नगरपालिका/गाउँपालिका वडा नं. ___ कित्ता नं. ___ क्षेत्रफल ___ को जग्गा रु. _______ (अक्षरमा _______) मा बिक्री गर्ने सहमति भई आजका मितिमा बैना बापत रु. _______ (अक्षरमा _______) दोस्रो पक्षबाट बुझिलिएको छु ।

सर्तहरू:

1. बाँकी रकम रु. _______ मिति _______ भित्र बुझाई रजिस्ट्रेशन पारित गरिदिनेछु ।
2. तोकिएको म्यादभित्र दोस्रो पक्षले बाँकी रकम नबुझाएमा बैना रकम जफत हुनेछ ।
3. प्रथम पक्षले लिखत पारित नगरेमा लिएको बैनाको दोब्बर फिर्ता गर्नेछ ।

यो लिखत मेरो राजी खुसीले होस/हवास ठीक राखी लेखी दिएको साँचो हो, झुटो ठहरे कानुनबमोजिम सहुँला बुझाउँला ।

लेखाइदिने प्रथम पक्षको दस्तखत: _______ मिति: _______

लेखाइलिने दोस्रो पक्षको दस्तखत: _______

साक्षी: १) _______ २) _______

लेखक: _______

(Or — Sample Deed of Exchange of Property / सट्टापट्टा लिखत: a similar two-party deed in which Party A's land (kitta no., area, value) and Party B's land (kitta no., area, value) are mutually exchanged, stating any cash adjustment, that each party transfers clear title free of encumbrance, signatures of both parties, two witnesses, the scribe and the date.)

Comparison: Recommendation Letter for Citizenship vs. for Electricity Connection

Similarities: Both are official certifications issued by the local body (Ward/Municipality), both must contain the applicant's true details and the purpose, and both bear the seal and signature of the recommending authority.

Sample: Application for Adjournment of Date of Hearing (पेशी स्थगित निवेदन)

श्री _______ अदालत/जिल्ला अदालत समक्ष चढाएको निवेदन

मुद्दा नं.: _______ विषय: _______

वादी: श्री _______ प्रतिवादी: श्री _______

निवेदक: श्री _______ (प्रतिवादी/वादी), ठेगाना _______ ।

निवेदनको विषय: पेशी स्थगित गरिपाउँ ।

माथि उल्लिखित मुद्दाको पेशी मिति _______ मा तोकिएको रहेछ । तर सो दिन मेरो कानुन व्यवसायी/वारेस अन्य अदालतको कामले उपस्थित हुन नसक्ने / म आफै बिरामी भएको कारणले उपस्थित हुन असमर्थ भएको हुँदा उक्त पेशी अर्को मितिसम्म स्थगित गरी अर्को पेशी तोकिपाउन यो निवेदन गर्दछु ।

निवेदक: _______ दस्तखत: _______

मिति: _______

(Or — Sample Application for Petition of Appearance / हाजिरी हुने निवेदन: addressed to the same court, stating the case number and parties, the applicant declares that pursuant to the summons/order he/she has appeared before the court on the appointed date, requests that his/her appearance (हाजिरी) be recorded, and signs with the date.)

Grounds Necessary for a Subpoena Issued for Presence (प्रत्यर्थी/भगडिया झिकाउने आदेश)

A subpoena/order to summon the presence of a defendant or absconding person (भगडिया) is issued by the court to secure the attendance of a person whose presence is necessary for the just disposal of a case. The following grounds are necessary before such an order is issued:

1. Existence of a registered case (मुद्दा दर्ता): A plaint, charge-sheet or complaint must have been duly filed and registered before the court having jurisdiction.
2. Necessity of the person's presence (उपस्थितिको आवश्यकता): The presence of the defendant/witness/absconder must be genuinely required to answer the charge, give a statement, or proceed with the trial.
3. Proper identification and address (पहिचान र ठेगाना): The name, address and identity of the person to be summoned must be ascertained so that the order can be served correctly.
4. Jurisdiction of the court (अदालतको क्षेत्राधिकार): The court issuing the order must have territorial and subject-matter jurisdiction over the case and the person.
5. Legal basis (कानुनी आधार): The order must be issued in accordance with the prevailing procedural law (e.g. the National Criminal/Civil Procedure Code) and within the prescribed format and time limit.
6. Failure or likelihood of non-appearance (उपस्थित नहुने सम्भावना): Particularly for an absconder, there must be reason to believe the person will not voluntarily appear, justifying a compulsory order.

Evaluation: These grounds ensure that the court's coercive power to compel presence is exercised lawfully, only where a real case exists and the person's attendance is essential — thereby protecting both the efficiency of justice and the individual's right against arbitrary summons.

(Or — Analysis of 'court procedure in criminal cases formally begins with the registration of the charge-sheet (अभियोग पत्र)': In criminal cases the investigation by police, FIR and prosecution by the Government Attorney precede the court stage. The filing/registration of the charge-sheet by the public prosecutor is the act that brings the matter before the court; only then does the court acquire jurisdiction, register the case, issue summons, frame issues and conduct trial. Hence it is correct that the formal court process begins with the registration of the charge-sheet, as before that the matter is at the investigation/prosecution stage and the court has no formal role.)

Deed of Usufruct Mortgage (भोगबन्धी लिखत): Necessity and Model Draft

Necessity of a usufruct mortgage

A usufruct mortgage (भोगबन्धी) is a transaction in which the owner of immovable property (mortgagor) transfers possession and enjoyment (use of produce/income) of the property to the lender (mortgagee) as security for a loan, with the agreement that the mortgagee will enjoy the property in lieu of interest until the principal is repaid. It is necessary because:

1. It enables the owner to raise a loan without permanently selling the property.
2. The lender gets secured enjoyment of the property in place of interest, reducing risk.
3. On repayment of the principal, the property returns to the owner, so ownership is preserved.
4. It provides a clear, written, legally enforceable record protecting both parties.

Model Draft

भोगबन्धी लिखत

प्रथम पक्ष (भोगबन्धी दिने/ऋणी): श्री _______, उमेर ___, ठेगाना _______ ।

दोस्रो पक्ष (भोगबन्धी लिने/साहु): श्री _______, उमेर ___, ठेगाना _______ ।

मलाई आवश्यक परेको रु. _______ (अक्षरमा _______) आज दोस्रो पक्षबाट लिई, सोको सट्टा मेरो हक भोगको _______ जिल्ला, _______ पालिका वडा नं. ___ कित्ता नं. ___ क्षेत्रफल ___ को जग्गा भोगचलन गर्न दोस्रो पक्षलाई भोगबन्धीमा दिएको छु ।

सर्तहरू:

1. उक्त रकमको ब्याज बापत दोस्रो पक्षले उक्त जग्गाको उब्जनी/आम्दानी भोगचलन गर्नेछन् ।
2. म प्रथम पक्षले साँवा रु. _______ फिर्ता बुझाएपछि दोस्रो पक्षले जग्गा फिर्ता गरिदिनेछन् ।
3. भोगबन्धी अवधिभर जग्गाको तिरो/कर दोस्रो पक्षले बुझाउनेछन् (वा सहमतिअनुसार) ।
4. साँवा फिर्ता नभएसम्म जग्गाको स्वामित्व प्रथम पक्षकै रहनेछ ।

यो लिखत मेरो राजी खुसीले ठीक राखी लेखी दिएको साँचो हो, झुटो ठहरे कानुनबमोजिम सहुँला बुझाउँला ।

लेखाइदिने प्रथम पक्ष: _______ दस्तखत: _______ मिति: _______

लेखाइलिने दोस्रो पक्ष: _______ दस्तखत: _______

साक्षी: १) _______ २) _______

लेखक: _______