What Is Judgment Writing in RJS?

Judgment writing is one of the most important practical skills tested in the Rajasthan Judicial Service examination. Unlike an ordinary law answer, where the candidate may primarily be asked to explain a legal principle, a judgment requires a structured decision on a set of facts.

The candidate is expected to understand the dispute placed before the court, identify the questions that require determination, apply the relevant law to the facts and give reasons for the ultimate findings.

In the RJS examination, judgment/order writing forms part of the prescribed writing and legal component. The syllabus specifically includes settlement of issues, framing of charges and writing of judgment/order. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

Why Is Judgment Writing Difficult for Beginners?

Most law students are trained to think like students or advocates. A judicial officer has to approach the same material differently.

An advocate generally argues for one side. A judge must evaluate both sides fairly.

An ordinary examination answer may ask you to discuss a provision. A judgment requires you to determine whether that provision actually applies to the facts before the court.

That difference is the central challenge.

Many beginners make one of two mistakes:

A good judgment lies between these two extremes. It must be reasoned, structured, relevant and decisive.

The Basic Structure of a Judgment

Although the precise format may vary depending on the problem and whether it is a civil or criminal matter, a useful approach for RJS aspirants is to think in terms of the following sequence:

Step 1: Read the Problem Like a Judge

Before you begin writing, resist the urge to immediately pick up your pen and start drafting.

First identify what the case is actually about.

Ask yourself:

• Who are the parties?
• What happened?
• What facts are admitted?
• What facts are disputed?
• What relief is being claimed?
• What legal questions arise?
• Which facts and documents are actually material?

This initial reading is critical because a judgment should not reproduce every fact in the question. It should contain the material facts relevant to the decision.

Step 2: Identify the Issues in a Civil Case

In a civil case, one of the first judicial tasks is to identify the real questions that require determination.

An issue should not simply be copied from the plaintiff’s pleadings or the defendant’s response. It should represent a genuine question of law or fact that the court needs to decide.

For example, suppose the dispute is about whether a contract was breached and whether the plaintiff is entitled to damages.

Once the issues are framed, the rest of the judgment becomes much easier because every major part of the reasoning can be organised issue-wise.

How to Write a Good Issue

A good issue should be:

• Specific
• Relevant to the dispute
• Capable of being answered through law and evidence
• Neither unnecessarily broad nor artificially narrow

Do not frame ten issues when three properly framed issues can resolve the entire dispute.

Step 3: Framing Charges in a Criminal Case

Criminal judgment writing requires a different starting point because the court must deal with the allegations constituting the offence and the evidence supporting them.

The RJS syllabus specifically includes framing of charges as part of judgment-writing preparation. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

When faced with a criminal problem, identify:

• The alleged acts of the accused
• The ingredients of the alleged offence
• The statutory provision attracted by those facts
• Any relevant exceptions or defences
• The evidence required to establish each ingredient

The charge should correspond to the legal ingredients and the facts disclosed in the case. Avoid mechanically attaching an offence to the facts without checking every ingredient.

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Step 4: Separate Facts, Evidence and Law

One of the most useful habits you can develop is to keep three things distinct:

A weak judgment often jumps directly from allegations to legal conclusions.

A strong judgment shows the logical connection between them.

For example:

Step 5: Apply the Law — Don’t Just Quote It

This is probably the most important rule of RJS judgment writing:

Suppose the question concerns an offence having four essential ingredients.

Do not merely write the statutory definition and stop there. Explain whether each ingredient is established by the facts and evidence before the court.

A useful structure is:

Rule → Ingredient → Evidence → Application → Finding

This makes the reasoning easy to follow and demonstrates judicial thinking.

Step 6: Deal With the Arguments of Both Sides

A judgment should demonstrate that the court has considered the material case advanced by each side.

You do not need to reproduce every argument made by the parties. Focus on the submissions that matter for deciding the issues.

A good judicial approach is:

1. State the relevant contention.
2. Identify the legal rule governing it.
3. Examine the material evidence.
4. Give reasons for accepting or rejecting the contention.

This is where many candidates can improve dramatically: don’t merely announce your conclusion — explain why the competing argument does not succeed.

Step 7: Write Issue-Wise Findings

Once the law and evidence have been analysed, record a clear finding on each issue.

For example:

Your conclusion should emerge naturally from the reasoning that precedes it.

Step 8: Write a Clear Final Order

The final order should tell the parties exactly what the court has decided.

It should be consistent with the findings recorded in the judgment.

Do not allow the reasoning to say one thing and the final order to say another.

The relief granted or refused should flow logically from the conclusions reached on the issues.

Language and Style of an RJS Judgment

A judicial judgment does not need complicated vocabulary to sound judicial.

In fact, simple and precise language is generally much more effective.

How Much Case Law Should You Use?

Do not turn an RJS judgment into a catalogue of Supreme Court decisions.

Use precedent when it actually assists in deciding the legal issue. The important point is not the number of judgments you can name but whether you understand the principle and can apply it correctly.

One relevant precedent, properly applied, is usually more valuable than five unrelated citations.

Common Mistakes in RJS Judgment Writing

How to Practise Judgment Writing for RJS

Judgment writing cannot be mastered by reading ten model judgments. You have to write.

A practical progression is:

1. Read a good judgment carefully.
2. Identify its structure.
3. Take a simple hypothetical fact situation.
4. Frame the issues or charges.
5. Write the applicable law.
6. Analyse the evidence and arguments.
7. Record your findings.
8. Write the final order.
9. Get your answer evaluated.
10. Rewrite it after incorporating the feedback.

That final step is extremely important. Your second and third attempts are often where the biggest improvement occurs.

A Simple Weekly Practice Plan

Judgment Writing Should Begin Before RJS Prelims

One of the biggest preparation mistakes is postponing Mains preparation until after Prelims.

Judgment writing is a skill, and skills improve through repeated practice. Starting early allows you to make mistakes when there is still enough time to correct them.

Even one properly evaluated judgment every week can make a significant difference over several months.

How DLA Can Help With RJS Mains Preparation

For aspirants who prefer structured preparation, Delhi Law Academy’s RJS Classroom Course at Coaching Hub, Pratap Nagar, Jaipur is designed to provide guided preparation alongside regular practice and testing.

Key Takeaways

Conclusion

Judgment writing may seem intimidating when you first encounter it, but it becomes much easier once you understand the underlying structure.

You are not being asked to write like a Supreme Court judge. You are being asked to demonstrate that you can think logically, understand the law, assess the facts and give a reasoned decision.

Start small. Learn how to frame issues. Learn how to analyse evidence. Practise applying legal provisions to facts. Then gradually move towards complete, timed judgments.

With consistent practice, judgment writing can move from being one of the most difficult parts of RJS Mains to one of your strongest scoring areas.

Frequently Asked Questions