The A Level Law course is highly varied in content and gives students an excellent foundational knowledge of law in England and Wales. Students will learn about legal institutions, the relationship between the individual and the state, Law making by Government and the Courts, and legal principles generally.
The new A Level provides opportunities for students to learn legal principles and case law in the areas of Criminal law, Tort law and Contract law.
No previous knowledge of the Law is required. It is recommended that students have attained at least a grade 6 at English Language GCSE.
The 2 year A level course is assessed through examination at the end of the period of study: There are 3 papers each 2 hours in length.
Key Stage 5
A Level - Topics and Assessment
Course Content in Year 1
Paper 1
Legal System Introduction to the nature of law
Civil Courts and other forms of dispute resolution
Criminal courts and lay people
Legal personnel
Access to justice
Criminal Law General elements of criminal liability
Non-fatal offences against the person
Paper 2
Law Making Parliamentary law making
Tort Law Liability in negligence
Delegated legislation
Occupiers liability remedies
Statutory Interpretation
Judicial Precedent
Law Reform
Course Content in Year 2
The areas of Tort law and Criminal law are expanded upon and there is the addition of study into the Nature of law and Contract law.
Criminal Law: Rules and theory of criminal law
Fatal offences against the person
Offences against property
Mental capacity defences
General defences
Attempted Offences
Tort Law Rules and theory of tort law
Torts connected to land
Vicarious liability
Defences and further remedies
Nature of Law Law and morality
Law and justice
Law and society
Law and technology
Contract Law Rule and theory of Contract Law
Formation of contracts
Express and implied terms
Vitiating factors
Discharging and performance
Remedies
Paper 1 – The Legal System and Criminal Law
Paper 2 – Law Making and the Law of Tort
Paper 3 – The Nature of Law and Contract Law
Trips and Enrichment
There are visits throughout the course; to a Crown Court, Parliament and the Old Bailey.
University Courses and Careers
Studying Law at A level is useful for anyone hoping to go to University to study subjects such as Politics, History, Government, Media, Law, Business and Social Sciences. The skills and knowledge acquired studying Law are useful in careers in the Civil Service, Business, Journalism, Politics, Law, the Police and in Management.