Law AS and A Level

Is this subject right for me?
Do you watch the news and take an interest in current affairs?
Do you enjoy debating, expressing your opinions and justifying them based on evidence?
Do you enjoy reading and expressing yourself in writing?

You should consider this subject if you are considering a career in Law, or perhaps you are intending to study Law at University, or you are keen to know your rights and responsibilities, or you are interested in studying a 'new' subject which has plenty of topical interest.

What is the course content?

First Year (AS Level)

How laws are made

• both in and outside Parliament
• by judges

How disputes are settled

• the work of the courts both civil and criminal
• who appears in court
• how cases are paid for
• who decides the case
• the alternatives to court based resolution

Liability

• what is needed to prove criminal offences with particular reference to assault and other non fatal offences and the sentences that can be imposed
• what is needed to prove a civil case of negligence for personal injury and the way in which compensation is calculated
• how contracts or agreements are made

Second Year (A Level)

You will build on this background by continuing further study of options such as:

Criminal Law - particularly the offences of murder and manslaughter and the specific and general defences to these charges

Civil Law of Tort - developing further the law of negligence relating to nervous shock and financial loss and the torts of nuisance and occupiers liability.

Contract Law - how a legally binding contract can be made and unmade.

The emphasis in the second year is on applying the law you have learnt to problem type situations to get you thinking and acting like a lawyer. You will also be encouraged to reflect on how the law works and how effective it is.

How will your work be assessed?

You will sit two exams in the first year leading to AS qualification. One of these papers will be taken in January and the other in June. At the end of the second year, for the A Level qualification, there will be a further two exams based on solving problems. There is no coursework in this subject.

During both years it is intended that you will follow national legal cases and developments as this will bring to life much of the theory. As you become a more confident lawyer there will be greater scope for debates, arguments and the understanding of issues. You will be able to solve more legal problems and think like a real lawyer.

What are the entry requirements?

The general entry requirements for studying at Advanced level apply, and a minimum of grade C in English GCSE is preferred, together with the enthusiasm to develop an interest in the subject and in current affairs.

Other information

We expect to visit courts to see the law in action. We will have speakers from the legal profession and others who are involved in the legal system such as lay magistrates. As in the past we plan to enter the National Mock Trial competition where you can perfect your advocacy skills in real courtrooms.

10/09