importance of conciliation — MCQs

All questions with answers and explanations

Read the full set here, or use the practice card above to test yourself one question at a time.

1. Which section of the Hindu Marriage Act makes it the court's duty to attempt reconciliation before granting relief?

   • Section 23(2) (correct answer)
   • Section 9
   • Section 13
   • Section 25

   Explanation. Section 23(2) makes it the court's duty to attempt reconciliation wherever possible.

2. Under Section 23(3), the court may adjourn proceedings for reconciliation for a period ordinarily not exceeding:

   • Fifteen days (correct answer)
   • One month
   • Six months
   • One year

   Explanation. Section 23(3) permits adjournment for reconciliation, ordinarily not exceeding fifteen days.

3. The Family Courts Act was enacted in:

   • 1984 (correct answer)
   • 1955
   • 1976
   • 2001

   Explanation. The Family Courts Act was enacted in 1984.

4. Family Courts have exclusive jurisdiction over:

   • Matrimonial relief, maintenance, and guardianship matters (correct answer)
   • Only criminal matters
   • Only property disputes
   • Only company law matters

   Explanation. Family Courts have exclusive jurisdiction over matrimonial relief, maintenance, and guardianship matters.

5. Under Section 13 of the Family Courts Act, legal representation by a lawyer is:

   • Not available as of right, though the court may permit it (correct answer)
   • Always mandatory
   • Never permitted
   • Available only to husbands

   Explanation. Section 13 makes legal representation not a matter of right, though the court retains discretion to allow it.

6. Section 9 of the Family Courts Act requires the court to:

   • Assist and persuade parties to arrive at a settlement (correct answer)
   • Immediately grant divorce
   • Refuse all settlements
   • Refer every case to the Supreme Court

   Explanation. Section 9 obliges the Family Court to assist and persuade parties toward a settlement first.

7. The proviso to Section 23(2) recognises that reconciliation efforts are pointless in situations such as:

   • Incurable mental disorder or presumption of death (correct answer)
   • Cruelty
   • Adultery
   • Desertion

   Explanation. The proviso recognises grounds like incurable mental disorder or presumption of death as unsuited to reconciliation.

8. The Family Courts Act's institutional conciliation machinery:

   • Institutionalises the Section 23 reconciliation duty rather than replacing it (correct answer)
   • Replaces the Section 23 duty entirely
   • Has nothing to do with Section 23
   • Applies only to Muslim marriages

   Explanation. The Family Courts Act builds institutional support around the existing Section 23 duty, not a replacement for it.