You will learn about the legal system, law making, the nature of law, criminal law, the law of tort and contract law. Law students develop a range of skills including the application of legal rules and principles to present an argument, analysis and evaluation of the law, legal issues and concepts. A-level Law provides a fascinating insight into so many different disciplines. There are many benefits of studying A-level Law. It links all aspects of society. It helps students develop a range of transferable skills: analytical skills, attention to detail, logical thinking, research skills, essay writing skills and the ability to produce a balanced argument.

Have you ever wondered... 

• What is the relationship between law and morals?
• Does the law provide justice?
• How is technology changing the law?
• How can a lawyer represent someone they believe is guilty?
• Should euthanasia be legalised?
• Should life mean life?
• Why do we need law?
• How are laws made?
• How do judges make decisions?
• What are the different types of court and how do they operate?
• How do people become solicitors or barristers?

Through studying law, these and many other questions will be explored. You will develop a sound understanding of substantive areas of law (criminal law, contract law, tort law) as well as legal procedure and law-making. At the end of the course, your knowledge and understanding will be stretched even further when we consider the role that morality and justice play in the administration of justice and development of law, and the role that technology plays in a constantly evolving legal system. All this knowledge will be developed concurrently with your development as an even more articulate and analytical thinker, problem-solver, advocate and keen master of persuasion and argument. A subject that lends itself to so many other disciplines and which is inherently empowering. A-level Law is a rich addition to any student’s A-level profile and, if this diverse and fascinating subject appeals, we would welcome you within our department here at Higham Lane.

The real question is not ‘Why should you study A-level Law?’ but instead, ‘Why would you not?’

Exam Board: OCR.

Assessment: There will be three units over the two years that you will be examined on at the end of Year 13.

Course Features:

• Legal Advice Clinics built into lessons to embed legal professional skills into development of academic knowledge.
• Student-led mooting workshop opportunity to develop advocacy skills.
• We hope to provide the chance to visit to the criminal and civil courts, the Houses of Parliament and other related places of interest,  to bring the subject to life.
• Law workshops at local universities.
• Subscription to Flipped Law interactive learning resource.
• Subscription to ‘A-level Law Review’.
• The course is engaging and encourages the learner to experience the ‘law in action’.

Unit descriptions

LAW01 - The Legal System and Criminal Law

Through this module, you will learn all about the English legal system from understanding the qualifications and skills required to become a lawyer, to the criminal court process, to sentencing. You will also develop a comprehensive understanding of the substantive criminal law which covers a range of offences including murder, assault and battery, and a range of defences including insanity and self-defence. You will develop strong analytical, evaluative and problem-solving skills and be well equipped to continue your study of law to undergraduate level where criminal law is a core module which is covered in all qualifying law degrees.

LAW02 – Law Making and the Law of Tort

In this module, you will build upon your knowledge of LAW01 and develop an awareness of the sources of Law in England and Wales including both judge-made and statutory law. You will learn the role played by local government in creating law, and of pressure groups and law reform bodies in reforming the law which applies to us all. The two most crucial aspects of this part of the module, judicial precedent and statutory interpretation, will introduce you to the skills and tools used by the judiciary today in developing judge made law (for example, murder) and interpreting statutory law (for example, theft). You will also study the law of tort, which covers negligence, nuisance and vicarious liability as well as a range of defences. Another of the core modules required for all qualifying Law degrees in England and Wales, completion of this module will set you in excellent stead for fully grasping the extent to which the law shapes our day to day lives.

LAW03 – Nature of Law and Contract Law

In this final module, you will gain extensive knowledge of another of the core undergraduate law modules, the law of contract, including contract formation, terms, discharge, breach and remedies in the event of breach. As with all other substantive areas of law, you will learn the principles established both by the courts (cases/precedents/judge-made law) and Parliament (statutes) which govern the rules relating to business contracts in England and Wales today. The final part of your Law course will require you to reflect back on the entirety of your learning so far, to consider the role that the law plays with regard to society, morality and the increasing need for regulation and control in an ever-increasingly technical global environment. The culmination of your course will enable you to fully appreciate the extent to which the Law impacts upon our lives, our businesses and the way in which it seeks to resolve moral disputes and dilemmas.

Where next with this course?

Some students take A-level Law because they already know that they want a career in law. The A-level gives an excellent introduction for students who want to read law at university or start a legal apprenticeship. It demystifies the law. However, A-level Law is not just for students who want to enter the legal professions. It is a well-respected subject and is a welcome addition to many A-level programmes of study. A-level Law links well with science subjects and humanities and social science subjects including, history, sociology, philosophy, economics and business, to name just a few!

Extra-curricular Activities

Court visits and Law in Action Enrichment.

N ASH, Teacher in Charge of Law