A Level in Law

A Level Law Course Content

A Level Law Unit 1 – The Nature of Law and the English Legal System

This unit can be broadly compartmentalised into 3 sections.

Section A: The Nature of Law

This topic assesses your understanding of law within an ethical and moral context. You will look at the historical context of law and engage with key contemporary debates.

You will examine the overlap and conflict between law and morality; social norms and values, and concepts of justice.  You will gain an understanding of the different types of legal responsibility and liability.

Section B: Law Making

You will learn about the law-making process within the United Kingdom. You will understand the Parliamentary law-making process. You will look at the reasons for delegating legislation and its advantages and disadvantages. You will also look at the public bodies which manage delegated legislation.

You will learn about the role of the courts in making law and how it compliments Legislation. You will look at the rationale of statutory interpretation, including the rules ‘the mischief rule’, the ‘golden rule’, the ‘literal rule’ and the ‘purposive approach’. You will look at the hierarchy of the courts, precedent and the role of judges.

Section C: The legal system

You will learn how the different branches of the court and legal system operate.

The Civil courts and other Forms of Dispute Resolution, which covers alternative dispute resolution, including negotiation, mediation, conciliation and arbitration, will be evaluated.

You will look at the criminal court structure and the advantages and disadvantages of a jury system.

You will gain an understanding of how the legal profession and other sources of advice and funding are accessed within the United Kingdom. This topic covers the varying roles within the legal professional, for example, barristers, solicitors and legal executives. You will look at the role of legal aid and its funding. In addition, you will look at the role of judges within the court system.

A Level Law Unit 2 – Criminal Law

You will study the principles of criminal liability including actus reus, mens rea, intention and strict liability. You will also learn about offences against the person, including fatal and non-fatal offences as well as property offences. The range of defences, such as insanity and duress, will be discussed.

A Level Law Unit 3 – Tort

You will study the rules and principles concerning civil liability and fault with regards to negligence, occupier´s liability, nuisance and vicarious liability, and associated defences and remedies.

A Level Law Unit 4 – Contract Law

You will study how valid contracts are formed – offer acceptance, consideration: and how they can be lawfully terminated.

You will examine and evaluate the differences between express and implied terms; warranties and conditions. The growing legislative measures to protect consumers, such as the Consumer Rights Act 2015, will be studied.

You will learn what constitutes a breach of contract and what remedies are available to parties to the contract.

A Level Law Examinations

The course is assessed entirely by examination – there is no coursework.

The course is linear with all three examinations at the end of the complete course.

Each exam has equal weighting.

Each exam comprises of a mixture of multiple choice questions, short answer questions and extended writing questions.

A Level Law Paper 1    2 hours 

The Nature of Law and the English Legal System (25%)
Criminal Law (75%)

A Level Law Paper 2   2 hours

The Nature of Law and the English Legal System (25%)
Tort (75%)

A Level Law Paper 3   2 hours

The Nature of Law and the English Legal System (25%)
Contract Law (75%)