Law GAT is mandatory for every law graduate candidate to get his/her Bar Council license for law practice. Law GAT is conducted 3 times a year by the Education Testing Council (ETC). Every candidate has 7 chances to pass the test. The passing marks are 50%.
Law Graduate Assessment Test (Law GAT)
In 2018, the Supreme Court of Pakistan directed the Pakistan Bar Council to conduct an MCQ-based test consisting of 100 marks before issuing a Bar Council license to fresh candidates to appear in court. The purpose behind this direction was to evaluate the competence and knowledge of law graduates who are eager to become part of the legal system of the country. Which ultimately became beneficial for the whole department. Law GAT is conducted by the Education Testing Council (ETC) which is set up by the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan (HEC).
Law GAT Date 2024
Like the law gat test date 2023, the law gat test date 2024 will be announced by the ETC. It is conducted in 14 cities in Pakistan thrice a year. The recent law gat test date was 31 March 2024.
Law GAT Registration
To get registered to appear in the Law GAT 2024 you need to:
- Visit the official HEC site,
- Sign up and complete your profile,
- Find the ‘Law Graduate Assessment Test’ link on the left-hand side menu,
- Submit your application,
- Deposit the test fee of 3000 Rs in HEC’s account mentioned there,
- Upload paid fee challan.
Law GAT Syllabus
The law gat syllabus announced by the Pakistan Bar Council is the following:
1. Constitution
The Constitution part consists of 20 marks in total including 5 marks from portion a, 10 marks from portion b, and 5 marks from c.
a. Constitution History of Pakistan Cases
i. Maulvi Tameez-ud-Din Khan Vs. Governor-General of Pakistan PLD 1955 F.C 240,
ii. The State Vs. Dosso and Others PLD 1958 S.C 533,
iii. Miss Asma Jillani Vs. Government of Pakistan PLD 1972 S.C 139,
iv. Begum Nusrat Bhutto Vs. Chief of Army Staff PLD 1977 S.C 657,
v. Muhammad Nawaz Sharif Vs. President of Pakistan PLD 1993 S.C 473,
vi. Al-Jehad Trust Vs. Federation of Pakistan Case (Judges Case) PLD 1996 S.C 324,
vii. Zafar Ali Shah and Others Vs. General Pervaiz Musharraf, Chief Executive of Pakistan PLD 2000 S.C 869,
viii. Khan Asfandyar Wali and Others Vs. Federation of Pakistan PLD 2001 S.C 607.
b. Constitution of Pakistan 1973
i. From Preamble to Articles 40,
ii. Articles 50 to 89,
iii. Articles 175 to 212.
c. International Law
i. United Nation Charter,
ii. International Court of Justice.
2. Jurisprudence
Jurisprudence has 2 portions, equally containing 10 marks in total.
a. English
English Jurisprudence by Sir John Salmond for LLB Students.
b. Islamic
Islamic Jurisprudence by Prof Imran Khan Nyazee.
3. Civil Procedure Code
CPC consists of 20 marks.
CPC includes:
i. From Preamble to section 12, sections 15 to 20, 47, 75, 96, 104, 115 and 151,
ii. Orders 1, 6-9, 39, 41 and 43.
4. Criminal Law
Criminal law has 2 parts each containing 10 marks.
a. Pakistan Penal Code
PPC includes:
i. Chapter 2 (General Explanations/Definitions),
ii. Chapter 4 (General Exceptions),
iii. Chapter 16 (Offences Affecting the Human Body),
iv. Chapter 16-A (Wrongful Restraint and Wrongful Confinement),
v. Chapter 17 (Offences against Property).
b. Criminal Procedure Code
CrPC includes:
i. Chapter 1 (Preliminary Definitions),
ii. Chapter 5 (Arrest, Escape, and Retaking),
iii. Chapter 7 (Processes to compel the production of documents and other moveable property, and for the discovery of persons wrongfully confined),
iv. Chapter 8 (Security for keeping the peace and for good behavior),
v. Chapter 10 (Public Nuisance),
vi. Chapter 11 (Temporary orders in urgent cases of nuisance and apprehended danger),
vii. Chapter 14 (Information to the police and their powers to investigate-FIR),
viii. Chapter 16 (Complaints to the magistrate),
ix. Chapter 17 (The commencement of proceedings before Court),
x. Chapter 31 (of Appeals),
xi. Chapter 39 (of Bail).
5. Law of Evidence
Law of Evidence also contributes 20 marks.
It Includes:
Qanoon-e-Shahadat Order 1984.
6. Professional Ethics
10 marks are allocated to this part.
It Includes:
i. Canons of Professional Conducts and Etiquette of Advocates CH 12 (Rule 134 to 175 B),
ii. Pakistan Legal Practitioners and Bar Councils Rules 1976.
Conclusion
Law GAT is necessary for getting enrolment as a licensed advocate in the Bar Councils of Pakistan. Law GAT is conducted by the Education Testing Council (ETC) which is set up by the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan (HEC). You can prepare for your HEC law gat from law gat past papers.
FAQs
What is the GAT test for law?
GAT test is required to seek Enrolment as an Advocate in any Bar Council in Pakistan after completing LLB.
What does GAT stand for in law?
GAT stands for Graduation Assessment Test.
What is the pass mark for law GAT in Pakistan?
50 marks out of 100.
Who is eligible for GAT test?
Anyone possessing LLB degree can appear in Law-GAT.
What is the fees for GAT exam in Pakistan?
The fee for Law-GAT is 3000 Rs.