Legal Drafting and Translation
This section tests drafting of pleadings, applications, deeds and judgments, and translation of legal texts between English and Hindi. Expect precision, proper format and consistent terminology.
Pleadings and applications
- A plaint needs cause title, court, parties, jurisdiction, facts, cause of action, valuation, prayer and verification.
- A written statement needs admissions, denials, additional pleas and set-off where applicable.
- An affidavit needs deponent details, statements, verification, place and date.
Deeds and judgments
- A deed needs parties, recitals, operative words, covenants, stamp duty and registration.
- A judgment should record issues, evidence, findings, reasoning and the operative decree.
Translation
- Preserve numbering, definitions and exhibit marks.
- Use consistent legal equivalents; avoid literal word-for-word translation.
Worked example
Prayer in a suit for permanent injunction: 'The plaintiff therefore prays for a decree of permanent injunction restraining the defendant, his agents and servants from constructing over the suit property, and for costs.' Hindi: 'अतः वादी प्रार्थना करता है कि प्रतिवादी, उसके अभिकर्ता एवं सेवकों को वाद-विषय संपत्ति पर निर्माण करने से रोकने के लिए स्थायी निषेधाज्ञा का डिक्री तथा व्यय प्रदान किया जाए।' Reasoning: the prayer identifies the act, the property and the relief; a vague prayer cannot be executed.
Traps
- Missing verification or cause title.
- Vague property description in an injunction prayer.
- Translating 'shall' as 'चाहिए' instead of the mandatory 'करेगा'.
- Inconsistent party names or exhibit marks.
- Omitting the operative decree from a judgment.