SIXTH FORM
Law
Qualification: A-Level
Board: AQA
Course Entry Requirements:
Grade 5 in GCSE English
General Course Description:
Studying Law gives students an understanding of the role of Law in today's society and raises their awareness of the rights and responsibilities of individuals. By learning about legal rules and how and why they apply to real life, you will also develop your analytical ability, decision making, critical thinking and problem-solving skills. All these skills are highly sought after by higher education and employers. As a part of this study, not only will you explore the laws that govern Great Britain and their applications, but you will also be exposed to a range of landmark trials and proceedings that shape the way we operate within our modern society.
Topics are clearly structured and include:
· The nature of law and the English legal system
· Private law
· Public law
· Legal skills
Content:
The key focuses of the course in year 12 are:
Nature of Law- an introduction to law and its basic principles, including understanding of the differences between criminal and civil law and between different sources of law including custom, statute law and the common law, as well as the difference between criminal and civil law and between different sources of law including custom, statute law and the common law. This will cover: Law and Society, Law and Morality, Law and Justice and the Rule of Law.
The English Legal System (ELS)- an in-depth understanding of the processes of legal proceeding and law making within England, as well as an exploration into legal proceeding in our country; from courts, to law and policymaking in the Houses of Parliament. This will cover: Parliamentary Law Making, Delegated Legislation, Statutory Interpretation, Judicial Precedent, the European Union, the Civil and Criminal Courts, Legal Personnel and the Judiciary and Access to Funding and Justice.
Tort Law- an in-depth study into civil law. These topics relate to civil cases and small claims, imbuing you with an understanding of your rights, and how you might uphold your rights in court. As a part of the Rule of Tort, you will study: Rules and Principles concerning Liability and Fault in Actions for Negligence, Occupiers' Liability, Nuisance and Vicarious Liability, and associated defences and remedies.
At the end of year 12 you will sit an internal exam on what you have studied, the results of this exam will determine your entry into Year 13.
When you continue your studies through to Year 13, there are more opportunities for independent study and in-depth exploration of the nature of law, as well as different branches of law.
The concepts you studied in Year 12 will be revisited, as well as units on Criminal and Civil Law. The two branches of law studied are:
· Criminal Law- a thorough exploration into criminal laws and the legal proceedings attached to criminal trials and the high courts of the UK. This will include: the Rules and Theories of Criminal Law, Liability, Fatal and Non-Fatal Offences against the Person, Property Offence, Preliminary Offence and Defences of both Capacity and Necessity.
· Human Rights Law- an exploration of how Human Rights are created, protected and upheld within our Country, and how we respond to international and multinational Human Rights laws. As a part of this learning we will examine; Rules and Principles of Law relating to the Right to Life, to Liberty and Security of Person, to Privacy, to Freedom of Expression, and to Freedom of Assembly and Association, as recognised by the European Convention on Human Rights and in the United Kingdom. We will study: Rules Theory in Human Rights, Human Rights in International Law, Human Rights in the UK prior to the 1998 Human Rights Act, Human Rights in the UK after the enacting of the 1998 Human Rights Act, a range of articles from the 1953 European Convention on Human Rights, Restriction, Enforcement, and Human Rights in relation to English Law.
At the end of year 13 you will sit three exams. All will be 2 hours long.
Paper One: Nature of Law (25%) and Criminal Law (25%)
Paper Two: Nature of Law (25%) and Tort Law (25%)
Paper Three: Nature of Law (25%) and Human Rights Law (75%)
Career Pathways
Law opens up many career pathways as it provides you with the skills of critical and independent thinking, analytical though and writing, and an ability to plan and write well-structured and articulate debates and arguments. It is one of the most marketable academic qualifications. It is complemented by a study in English, Politics, History or Business, as well as being recognised by institutions of Higher Education for those looking to pursue Law at Undergraduate level.
Career options include, but are not limited to: Solicitors, Barristers, Commerce, Government and Politics, Advertising, Marketing, Retail Management, Publishing, Journalism, the Police Force, Social Services and Teaching.