CSS 2019 – Law Subjects (Constitutional, International, Muslim Law & Jurisprudence, Mercantile, etc.): Examiner’s Feedback and Student Guide

Introduction

Law subjects are a consistent choice for CSS aspirants with LLB or legal backgrounds. They offer precision, structured answers, and direct application to governance and international affairs. However, the examiner’s report for CE-2019 revealed that performance across most law papers was weak. Many candidates lacked conceptual clarity, case law references, and legal reasoning, leading to disappointing scores.

Examiner Feedback (2019)

The examiner observed:

• Performance was unsatisfactory overall.
• Candidates wrote general knowledge essays instead of legal arguments.
• Many failed to cite constitutional articles, international conventions, or case law.
• Answers were often descriptive and narrative, lacking legal reasoning.
• Some ignored major sections of the syllabus (e.g., constitutional development in Pakistan, UN Charter in International Law).
• A small number of law graduates who used legal provisions + case law + structured arguments performed well【Examiner-Reports-CE-2019.pdf†L213-L220】.

Common Mistakes by Candidates

1. No legal references
   • Ignoring Articles of the Constitution, UN conventions, or statutory provisions.
2. No case law citations
   • Failing to strengthen arguments with landmark cases.
3. Narrative writing
   • Writing in story form instead of structured legal reasoning.
4. Selective preparation
   • Skipping important portions of the syllabus.
5. Weak English and structure
   • Poor grammar and unorganized answers reduced credibility.

Practical Preparation Strategies

1. Use legal provisions
   • Always cite Articles of the Constitution (for Constitutional Law) or conventions (for International Law).
2. Quote case law
   • Example: Asma Jilani v Government of Punjab (1972) for Martial Law in Constitutional Law, or Nicaragua v USA (1986) for International Law.
3. Organize answers in legal format
   • Intro → Provision of law → Explanation → Case law → Application → Conclusion.
4. Cover syllabus comprehensively
   • Constitutional Law: US, UK, Pakistan.
   • International Law: UN Charter, treaties, ICJ.
   • Muslim Law: sources of Shariah, family law, inheritance.
   • Mercantile Law: contracts, partnership, company law.
5. Practice past papers
   • Solve questions under timed conditions. Focus on precision and conciseness.
6. Stay updated
   • Relate answers to current constitutional crises, UN disputes, or WTO cases.
7. Use standard references
   • Hilaire Barnett – Constitutional & Administrative Law
   • Starke – Introduction to International Law
   • Fyzee – Outlines of Muhammadan Law

Encouraging Closing Note

The CSS 2019 examiner’s report makes it clear: Law subjects reward legal reasoning, provisions, and case law, not general storytelling. Those who relied on notes without legal citations failed, while law graduates who wrote precise, structured answers scored well.

Remember: Law is about reasoning and authority. Every Article you cite, every case you reference, every legal principle you apply adds weight to your answer.

Stay motivated: if you prepare law subjects with discipline, they can become one of your most scoring optionals — and they train you for the analytical mindset needed in CSS and beyond.