Question

Principle: Law never enforces an impossible promise.
Facts: ‘A’ made a promise to ‘B’ to discover treasure by magic.

• A. Law will enforce the promise.
• B. Law will not enforce the promise.
• C. Law will enforce the promise only at the option of A.
• D. Law will enforce the promise only at the option of B.

Hint:

Always remember that impossible promises are not legally enforceable as they cannot be performed.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

The principle clearly states that law will not enforce an impossible promise. In this case, ‘A’ made a promise to ‘B’ to discover treasure by magic, which is an impossible and impractical promise. The law cannot enforce promises related to something that is beyond the realms of possibility, such as discovering treasure through magic.
Thus, the correct answer is (B). Option (A) is incorrect because an impossible promise cannot be enforced by law. Option (C) is incorrect because it still suggests the promise could be enforced under certain circumstances. Option (D) is incorrect for the same reason.

Answer 2

This question simply asks whether a promise to perform an impossible act can be legally enforced. Let's consider each option.

1. Law will enforce the promise: This directly contradicts the principle, which states plainly that an impossible promise is never enforced. Discovering treasure through magic is not something achievable through any recognised, real means, making the promise impossible in substance.
2. Law will not enforce the promise: The principle draws a flat rule with no exceptions for impossible promises. Finding treasure by magic has no basis in reality and cannot actually be performed, so it falls squarely within what the principle bars from enforcement.
3. Law will enforce the promise only at the option of A: This wrongly imports an optional or conditional enforcement mechanism that the principle does not provide. The principle's bar on impossible promises is categorical, not something either party can choose to activate.
4. Law will enforce the promise only at the option of B: Same flaw as above, just attributing the non-existent option to B instead of A. The principle gives neither party any such choice because the promise is impossible from the outset.

Since finding treasure by magic is not a task capable of actual performance, the promise falls exactly within the category the principle excludes from enforcement.

Therefore, the correct answer is Law will not enforce the promise.

Answer 3

The principle has two working parts: first, whether the promised act is impossible in substance, and second, that once impossibility is established, the bar on enforcement is absolute, with no party given a choice in the matter. Checking the options against both parts.

1. Law will enforce the promise: Part one asks whether discovering treasure by magic is achievable through any real means, it is not, magic has no recognised operative method, so the promise is impossible in substance. Since part one is satisfied, part two, the flat bar on enforcement, applies, ruling this option out.
2. Law will not enforce the promise: Both parts of the principle are satisfied here, the act is impossible, and the rule against enforcing impossible promises admits no exception, so non-enforcement follows directly.
3. Law will enforce the promise only at the option of A: This option tries to insert a choice into part two, the categorical bar, that the principle does not contain. Once impossibility is established, the rule leaves no party, including A, with a discretion to activate enforcement.
4. Law will enforce the promise only at the option of B: Same defect as the previous option, just assigning the discretion to B rather than A. The principle's second part is a flat rule, not a rule that operates only if someone elects it.

Since finding treasure by magic fails part one, being impossible in substance, part two's absolute bar takes over and leaves no room for enforcement by anyone's choice.

Therefore, the correct answer is Law will not enforce the promise.