AS and A2 level Law

AS and A2 level Law

Do criminals escape justice? When can you use self-defence? Should the death penalty be re-introduced? If you find money can you keep it? Are judges too lenient in sentencing the guilty? What do solicitors and barristers do? Should the law concerning murder be reformed? How can I claim compensation if I am injured? Law is a vital part of our society and affects all our lives. In some form or other it is always in the news. If you are interested in finding answers to these questions and developing your knowledge and analytical skills then Law is the choice for you.

WHAT WILL I BE STUDYING ON THE COURSE?
As a student of Law you will explore and analyse a wide range of issues and problems. You will gain a thorough understanding of how the legal system works: the courts, legal profession, how law is made, the judge†s role in sentencing the guilty. By gaining a detailed knowledge of specific areas of English Law, you can determine if someone is guilty of a crime such as murder, or liable for causing harm by being careless as in the law of negligence. You will consider broader issues such as whether law is or should be moral and if it reflects our ideas of justice and freedom.

The two AS units will be:

·Law Making and The Legal System
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Parliamentary law making; the application of law by the courts; judges as law makers; the criminal courts; the civil courts and other forms of resolving disputes; judges.


·Introduction to Criminal Liability and Introduction to Tort
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underlying principles of criminal liability; the courts: procedure and sentencing; liability in negligence; the courts: procedure and damages.


Both units
will contribute 50% towards AS (and 25% of total A level).


The two A2 units will be:

·Criminal Law
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fatal and non-fatal offences against the person; murder; voluntary manslaughter; involuntary manslaughter; non-fatal offences against the person; defences; evaluation.

·Criminal Law and Concepts of Law
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theft and robbery; burglary; blackmail; fraud; making off without payment; criminal damage; defences; law and morals; law and justice; judicial creativity; fault; balancing conflicting interests.


Both units contribute 50% towards A2 (each will be 25% of total A level).



WHAT WILL I BE DOING IN LESSONS?
You will experience a variety of approaches to your study of Law. You might be asked to prepare a defence for someone accused of murder, to give presentations of the defence or claimant†s argument in a negligence case. You will consider legal cases from the standpoint of a jury determining guilt or innocence. You will be expected to read and discuss case law, both recent and from the past, and statute law. We have debates, discussions and seminars.

There will be a Law Society in which we will have invited speakers and where we will consider wider issues of law such as criminology. We have an impressive collection of video material and legal journals that will be available to you.

You will visit Parliament, conferences in London and Nottingham, local and national courts and will be given the chance to take part in the National Bar Mock Trial competition. You will have access to an exciting networked computer package that provides lecture notes, case libraries, multiple choice questions, links to law journals and many other features all updated every few weeks.

HOW WILL I BE ASSESSED?
You will be assessed in many ways ranging from electronic voting, one to one oral assessment and interactive quizzes as well as essays. There is no coursework.

WHAT OTHER SUBJECTS CAN I TAKE WITH LAW?
Law complements most subjects particularly History, Government and Politics, Sociology, Psychology and Citizenship. Students of Maths, Science and Languages particularly find Law useful and interesting as it provides a balance and breadth to their studies.

AND AFTER THE COURSE?
Law is an excellent qualification for a wide range of university courses most notably Law itself. All students who have studied Law at A level, and who continue Law to degree level, report that they are at a distinct advantage having studied Law previously. Universities now see the benefits of prospective students having Law at A level.

As well as being an excellent preparation for Higher Education, Law is useful for those considering a career in the civil service, banking, media, the police, local government, accountancy and of course the legal profession.