Law

A Level  

QUALIFICATIONS NEEDED TO START THE COURSE

• 6+ in GCSE English Language
• 6+ in one or both of GCSE English Literature or History

Plus our standard LaSWAP entry requirements for our A level pathway

IS THIS COURSE FOR YOU?

Studying A-Level Law at LaSWAP will empower you to understand and critique the ideas and principles that shape and govern society. It will help you to develop and apply advanced critical thinking and problem solving skills, and ask you to consider some of the most important questions about justice, morality, and the way we live. To this end, we pursue the Human Rights option for Paper 3.

COURSE SPECIFICATION

YEAR 12:

The Nature of Law (Non-Substantive Element - 30% of overall course) 

• The Rule of Law 
• Parliamentary Law Making 
• Delegated Legislation 
• Statutory Interpretation 
• Judicial Precedent 
• Criminal Courts 
• Juries 
• The Judiciary 
• Sentencing 
• Lay People 

Criminal Law (Substantive Element - 70% of overall course) 

• Actus Reus 
• Mens Rea 
• No Fault and Strict Liability 
• Assault and Battery 
• Actual Bodily Harm 

Term 2: 

The Nature of Law (Non-Substantive Element - 30% of overall course) 

• Civil Courts 
• Reform of the Law of Assault 
• Alternative Dispute Resolution 
• Law Reform 

Tort Law (Substantive Element - 70% of overall course) 

• Rules of Tort Law 
• Negligence - Personal Injury and Damage to Property 
• Occupiers' Liability to Lawful Visitors 
• Occupiers' Liability to Trespassers 
• Remedy of Compensatory Damages 

  Term 3: 

Criminal Law (Substantive Element - 70% of overall course) 

• Rules and Theory of Criminal Law 
• Murder 
• Voluntary Manslaughter - Loss of Control 
• Voluntary Manslaughter - Diminished Responsibility 
• Involuntary Manslaughter - Unlawful Act 
• Involuntary Manslaughter - Gross Negligence 
• Theft 
• Robbery 
• Attempts 

YEAR 13

Term 1: 

Criminal Law (Substantive Element - 70% of overall course): 

• Defence - Insanity 
• Defence - Automatism 
• Defence - Self-Defence 
• Defence - Intoxication 
• Defence - Duress 

Nature of Law  (Non-Substantive Element - 30% of overall course): 

• Law and Society 
• Law and Morality 
• Law and Justice 

Tort Law (Substantive Element - 70% of overall course): 

• Nuisance 
• Rylands vs Fletcher Torts 
• Vicarious Liability 
• Defences 
• Remedies 
• Theory of Tort Law 

Term 2: 

Human Rights Law (Substantive Element - 70% of overall course): 

• History of Human Rights Law and Adoption of the Human Rights Act 
• Articles 2 and 5 
• Articles 8 and 10 
• Article 11 Restrictions and Enforcement 
• Human Rights and English Law Reform 
• Theory of Human Rights Law 

  Term 3: 

•  Revision and Exam Technique 

LEARNING AND SKILLS

• Build critical thinking by analysing and evaluating complex legal scenarios. 
• Learn to apply legal principles to real-world situations, honing your problem-solving abilities. 
• Enhance your research skills as you must investigate case law, statutes, and legal precedent to build arguments. 
• Develop your communication skills through the development of concise and persuasive written and oral arguments. 
• Gain insight into ethical and moral considerations within the legal field, promoting a deeper understanding of justice and societal issues. 
• Learn the art of debate and discussion, fostering the ability to articulate and defend your viewpoint. 
• Craft clear and precise legal arguments and documents, enhancing your writing skills and attention to detail. 
• Learn to structure your  writing logically and coherently, a skill transferable to various professional contexts. 
• Undertake moot court exercises, where you work in teams to argue a case, fostering teamwork, cooperation, and the ability to present a unified legal argument. 
• Learn effective negotiation and mediation techniques. These skills are essential for resolving legal disputes and can be applied in various professions that require conflict resolution and consensus-building. 

EXAMINATION AND ASSESSMENT

 EXAM BOARD: AQA

FUTURE PROSPECTS

A-Level Law is a highly respected qualification amongst all universities and employers. Most obviously, students can use it to pursue future studies in law at an undergraduate level (including helping prepare you for the LNAT), and ultimately to enter into careers as lawyers, solicitors, barristers, or paralegals. Many students also increasingly choose to go straight into a professional legal setting from school through the legal apprenticeship route offered by many top law firms. In addition, the legal knowledge gained is valuable in administrative roles within law firms, corporate legal departments, or government agencies.