Property Law is the longest paper of the third semester — thirteen units, from the theory of property to guthi, registration and intellectual property — and the most predictable: every unit has a small set of definitional, procedural and case-based questions. Here is the unit-wise list of the most important questions for the B.A.LL.B. 3rd Semester (New Course) paper Property Law (LAW5206), in the order of the official 2025 syllabus.
Who is this for? B.A.LL.B. 3rd Semester (new 2025 course) students preparing for the LAW5206 board examination — and LL.B. students of Property Law (LAW403), who should also read our Property Law important questions for LAW403. Full marks 100 (40% internal + 60% board), pass marks 50%.
Unit-wise important questions
Unit 1: Introduction to Property Law
- Define property. Explain the theories of property and their relevance to Nepal’s land-reform legislation. (15)
- Explain the kinds and importance of property. (15)
- Trace the historical development of property law in Nepal and identify its sources. (15)
- Explain the constitutional provisions on property rights in Nepal, with Article 25 of the Constitution of Nepal. (15)
- How has the Supreme Court of Nepal interpreted “property”? Discuss with leading decisions. (10)
Unit 2: Ownership and Possession
- Explain the concept, types and modes of acquisition of ownership and possession. (15)
- Distinguish ownership from possession and explain their relationship. (15)
- Explain adverse possession and illegal acquisition as interpreted by the Supreme Court of Nepal. (15)
Unit 3: Acquisition and Transfer of Property
- Explain the modes of acquisition of property: possession (including adverse possession), prescription, agreement and inheritance. (15)
- Explain the modes of transfer of property: partition, sale, mortgage, gift, auction and legal will (asthaloh). (15)
- Describe the registration and documentation of property transactions in Nepal and their legal effect. (10)
Unit 4: Land Law and Land Tenure System in Nepal
- Explain the traditional land tenure systems of Nepal — kipat, birta, jagir, guthi, jamindari and talukdari — and the fate of each. (15)
- Discuss the Mohi (tenant) system and its transformation under land reform. (10)
- Explain the objectives and major provisions of the Land Act, 2021 B.S. (15)
- Explain the Guthi Corporation Act, 2033 and the Nepal Trust Act, 2064 as frameworks for trust land. (15)
- Discuss the Land Revenue Act, 2034 B.S., the Land Measurement and Survey Act, 2019 B.S. and the Land Acquisition Act, 2034 B.S. (15)
- Explain the land reform measures of Nepal and their impact on property ownership. (15)
Unit 5: Land Acquisition and Compensation
- Explain the principle of eminent domain. What are its limits? (15)
- Explain the procedure for land acquisition in Nepal and the determination of compensation, with landmark judgments. (15)
Unit 6: Co-ownership and Joint Property
- Explain the rights and duties of co-owners of joint property. (10)
- Discuss the management and division of co-owned property and the dissolution of co-ownership. (10)
Unit 7: Succession and Inheritance
- Explain the concept of succession and inheritance and the rights and liabilities of heirs and beneficiaries under the Muluki Civil Code, 2074. (15)
- Explain the procedure for claiming inheritance in Nepal, with landmark judgments. (15)
Unit 8: Partition
- Explain the concept and significance of partition in property law and its types. (15)
- Explain the procedures and formalities for seeking partition in Nepal, with landmark judgments. (15)
Unit 9: Tenancy and Land Laws
- Explain the rights and obligations of landlords and tenants under Nepali law. (15)
- Discuss the upper ceiling of land ownership and the tenancy provisions after land reform. (10)
Unit 10: Trusts and Charitable Institutions
- Explain trusts as a legal entity for property management and the formation and administration of trusts in Nepal. (15)
- Discuss the regulatory framework for charitable institutions in Nepal, including guthi. (10)
Unit 11: Registration of Deeds and Documents
- Explain the importance and purpose of registering property deeds and documents. (10)
- Which types of deeds require obligatory registration? Explain the registration process and requirements. (15)
- “An unregistered deed transfers no ownership, but it is not a scrap of paper.” Discuss with the exceptions to obligatory registration. (15)
Unit 12: Intellectual Property Law
- Give an overview of intellectual property law and explain its principal forms: copyright, patent, trademark, design, trade secrets and goodwill. (15)
- Explain the protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights in Nepal. (15)
- Discuss landmark judgments on intellectual property in Nepal, including Kiran Shoes v. Department of Industry. (10)
Unit 13: Dispute Resolution in Property Matters
- Explain the alternative dispute resolution mechanisms available in Nepal for property disputes. (10)
- Discuss the role of the courts in resolving property matters in Nepal. (10)
Prescribed Cases
The syllabus prescribes eleven decisions for this paper. Prepare each as a short brief — facts, issue, holding, principle.
- Ramdulari Sravan Baishnav v. Saligram Sravan Baishnav, NKP 2065, D.N. 7939.
- Dawa Tasi Lama v. GoN, NKP, D.N. 9499.
- Sanu Shrestha v. GoN, NKP 2074, D.N. 9986.
- Guljariya Devi Yadavni v. Gunjeshwari Devi Yadav, NKP 2074, D.N. 9850.
- Kaman Bahadur Khadka v. Shiwa Kumari Khadka, NKP 2063, D.N. 7792.
- Jhagmi Palvar Bist v. Diki Dolkar Palvar Bist, NKP 2067, D.N. 8359.
- Minbahadur Basnet v. Bedkumari Basnet, NKP 2059, D.N. 7087.
- Adv. Om Prakash Aryal v. GoN, 078-WC-0004, decision dated 2080-10-24.
- Kiran Shoes v. Department of Industry, NKP 2062, D.N. 7536.
- Mount Bruary v. United Bruary, NKP 2067, D.N. 8356.
- Ram Pratap Khadka v. Kathmandu Metropolitan Police, Hanumandhoka, NKP 2072, D.N. 9435.
How to answer Property Law questions well
- Classify first: movable or immovable, corporeal or incorporeal, ownership or possession — opening with the correct classification frames everything that follows.
- Anchor in the Muluki Civil Code, 2074 and the land statutes (Land Act 2021, Guthi Corporation Act 2033, Land Revenue Act 2034, Land Acquisition Act 2034, Nepal Trust Act 2064, Land Measurement and Survey Act 2019).
- Master the pairs: ownership vs possession, partition vs transfer, guthi vs trust, adverse possession vs illegal acquisition, registration vs unregistered deed.
- Brief the prescribed cases: property questions frequently ask you to identify the applicable case law — knowing which decision governs which unit is often the difference between a pass and a distinction.
Free resources
Start with the free Unit 1: Property Law Unit 1 (free). Unit 1 of every subject is free to read on this site.