'A' Level Law

Exam Board and syllabus code

OCR Law:

AS Level - H018
A Level - H418

Content AS

English legal system
Criminal law
Law making
Tort

Content A2

The English legal system
Criminal law
Law making and the nature of law
Tort
Contract Law

Assessment AS

Paper 1

What's assessed:

Section A: The Legal System (32 marks out of 64).
Section B: Criminal law (32 marks out of 64).

(4x 8 mark questions per section)

How it's assessed:

Written exam: 1 hour 30 minutes
64 marks
50% of AS

Paper 2

What's assessed:

Law making (32 marks out of 64).
The law of tort (32 marks out of 64).

(4x 8 mark questions per section)

How it's assessed:

Written exam: 1 hour 30 minutes
64 marks
50% of AS

Questions

Extended writing questions only.
Four 8-mark questions per section
Two section per paper

Assessment A2 Level

Paper 1

What's assessed:

Section A: The English legal system - 20 marks out of 80
Section B: Criminal Law - 60 marks out of 80

How it's assessed:

Written exam: 2 hours, 80 marks
33% of A-level

Questions:

Section A: Choice of medium tariff questions.
Section B: Scenario and extended response questions.

Paper 2:

What's assessed

Law making (20 marks out of 80).
Tort (60 marks out of 80).

How it's assessed:

Written exam: 2 hours, 80 marks
33% of A-level

Questions:

A combination of multiple choice, short answer and extended writing questions.

Paper 3:

What's assessed:

The Nature of Law (20 marks out of 80).
The Law of Contract (60 marks out of 80).

How it's assessed:

Written exam: 2 hours, 80 marks
33% of A-level

Questions:

Section A: Choice of extended response questions.
Section B: Scenario and extended response questions.

Skills/Aptitudes needed to succeed

Have an opinion
Enjoy debating and questioning the laws created by our Courts and Parliament.
Engage in class discussions on topical issues in the media
Care about issues affecting people and the environment
Want to study a subject that is and will be relevant to your own life and experiences

Benefits and Uses

Students with AS or A level Law have access to a wide range of possible career and higher education opportunities.
Studying Law gives students an understanding of the role of Law in today's society and raises awareness ofthe rights and responsibilities of individuals.
By learning about legal rules and how and why they apply to real life, students also develop their analytical ability, decision making, critical thinking and problem-solving skills. All these skills are highly sought after by highereducation and employers.
Taking the Law A-level is a chance to get a taste of Law before you set off on a degree. It could also give you a head start on some of the skills and knowledge you'll need at university. For example, you'll get used to learning the details of cases, and you'll know detail about some elements of the Law that might come in handy later.
At most universities, Law is a perfectly acceptable A-level: it will count towards your offers. Just take a look at thesequotes from Law faculty websites:

"We treat Law in the same way as any other subject." (Warwick)

"No A-level subject is considered any more or less important than any other. A-level Law is acceptable." (Bristol)

Consider the following legal case studies;

The Defendant has stabbed a victim and the victim is operated upon and the wound stitched up, the victim making an excellent recovery. However, just before being released, the victim gets an infection and is given ant-biotic. The victimis allergic to the same and dies.

Do you think the Defendant should be prosecuted for the death, give your reasons why? Or do you think theHospital/Doctors should be prosecuted?

An 18-year-old Jehovah’s witness is stabbed, taken to hospital, refuses a blood transfusion and dies as a result ofrefusing. She refused the transfusion for religious reasons. Should the Defendant still be prosecuted for her death?
A girl jumps from a moving car because she felt the driver may have attacked her. She suffered injuries. Shouldthe Defendant be charged with causing her injuries?