Law

Exam Board: OCR

The course is split into distinct areas.

Law making and the legal system

Students will learn about how laws are made including parliamentary law making, case (judicial) law making and the role of delegated legislation. They will also learn about different areas of the legal profession, how the criminal court process and civil process works and the use of lay people in the law in both juries and lay magistrates. The law is evaluated and suggestions for reform are made.

Criminal Law

Students will study the criminal law including the different elements of criminal liability, murder, manslaughter, the non-fatal offences (such as GBH and ABH) and property offences (such as theft and burglary). They will learn how to apply these principles to real life and scenario situations. Students will also learn and apply the use of general defences including provocation, self-defence and intoxication. The law is evaluated and suggestions for reform are made.

Tort

Students will learn the rules of negligence and then expand their knowledge to include more complex topics such as occupier’s liability, trespass and vicarious liability. Students will also study and apply when there is liability in negligence including how the award of compensation is calculated. The law is evaluated and suggestions for reform are made.

Human Rights

Students will focus on human rights, including their nature, protection and constitutional position under UK law. Specific rights are explored in detail as are the restrictions upon them and the process of enforcement through the courts. Students will develop knowledge and understanding of human rights law, the skills to apply their legal knowledge to scenario-based situations and gain a critical awareness of the present state of human rights law.

Assessment

100% exam

Requirements

General Sixth Form admission requirements.

Where can it lead?

This course will provide a valuable entry qualification to Higher Education as well as being relevant to many career opportunities including those in the legal profession such as a Barrister/Advocate, Crown Prosecutor, Legal Executive, Solicitor, or Legal Secretary.