Bar Part I Land Law study guide
Bar Part I Land Law · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
Land Law is a core component of Part I of the professional bar examination in jurisdictions that split their bar into a knowledge-based first part and a skills-based second part. It tests whether a candidate can identify the interest at stake, apply the correct statutory or doctrinal rule, and reach a defensible conclusion on ownership, priority, and remedies. The Bar Part I Land Law study guide has 11 sections and about 3,385 words.
01Nature and Classification of Land and Rights in Land
This domain asks you to classify an item as land, a fixture or a chattel; to distinguish legal and equitable interests; and to identify estates and rights that can exist in land. The examiner rewards precise property vocabulary, not lay descriptions.
344 words, about 2 min02Ownership, Co-ownership and Possession
Ownership, co-ownership and possession questions test whether you can separate title from possession, identify joint tenancy and tenancy in common, and apply severance and survivorship. You must also explain the relativity of title and the duties of co-owners.
304 words, about 2 min03Acquisition and Transfer of Title (Sale, Gift, Inheritance)
This domain tests how title passes by sale, gift and inheritance, the formalities for each, and priority between competing acquirers. Expect questions on contracts, deeds, registration, donative intent and intestacy.
324 words, about 2 min04Land Registration and Recording Systems
Registration questions test the difference between registration of title and registration of instruments, the effect of registration on priority, and the protection of third parties through notice, caveats and overriding interests. Deeds registration records instruments; it does not guarantee title.
276 words, about 1 min05Leases and Tenancies
Leases and tenancies test the distinction between a lease and a licence, the creation and assignment of leases, covenants, and termination. The central issue is exclusive possession.
300 words, about 2 min06Mortgages and Security Interests in Land
Mortgage questions test how security interests are created, their priority, the mortgagor’s equity of redemption, and the mortgagee’s remedies. You must apply both land law and equity.
311 words, about 2 min07Easements, Profits and Covenants
Easements, profits and covenants test creation, characteristics and enforceability. You must distinguish easements from licences and covenants from easements, and apply registration and notice rules.
315 words, about 2 min08Adverse Possession and Prescription
Adverse possession and prescription test how rights are acquired by long use. You must know the requirements for adverse possession, limitation periods, and the rules for prescriptive easements.
291 words, about 1 min09Compulsory Acquisition and Land Use Control
Compulsory acquisition and land use control test the state’s power to take land, the requirements of lawful acquisition, compensation, and planning controls. Expect questions on public purpose, notice, inquiry and development permission.
294 words, about 1 min10Customary and Statutory Land Tenure
Customary and statutory tenure questions test the nature of customary land holding, family property, the role of the family head, and the statutory conversion of tenure. Expect questions on consent, alienation and rights of occupancy.
327 words, about 2 min11Remedies, Procedure and Ethics in Land Matters
Remedies, procedure and ethics test how land disputes are litigated and how lawyers must behave. You must choose the right remedy, identify jurisdictional and procedural bars, and apply professional conduct rules.
299 words, about 1 min