Law

Component 1: The Nature of Law and the English Legal System – Written examination: 1 hour 30 minutes 25% of qualification 50 marks 

This component requires learners to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the nature of law and the English legal system. It focuses on the structure of the English legal system including its relationship with the European Union. Learners will develop knowledge and understanding of sources of primary and secondary law in the English legal system and will consider how those laws are used by judges in making decisions. They will also develop knowledge and understanding of the criminal justice system, civil justice system including relevant legal personnel and legal funding. The nature of law includes the study of the distinction between enforceable legal rules and principles and other rules and norms of behaviour; criminal and civil law and the different sources of law (including custom, statutory law and the common law).

Component 2: Substantive Law in Practice – Written examination: 2 hours 15 minutes 37.5% of the qualification 75 marks

This component will provide learners with the foundation for the study of both private and public law. Learners must study three areas of law, and we focus on the law of Tort (private law), Criminal law (public law) and  on Human Rights law (public law) The areas of law chosen by learners for this component apply also to Component 3. This component requires learners to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the English legal system and legal rules and principles, and break down into constituent parts the relevant legal rules and principles

Law of Tort in which  learners will develop knowledge and understanding of liability in negligence for injury to people and will be required to apply the elements of the law of negligence to hypothetical scenarios. They will develop knowledge and understanding of occupiers’ liability. Learners will also develop knowledge and understanding of remedies, including damages, mitigation of loss and injunctions.

Criminal Law in which learners will study the rules and theory and then look in detail at  fatal offences such as murder and non-fatal offences against the person such as grievous bodily harm; property offences such as theft, and possible defences such as Insanity and self-defence.

Human Rights law looks at the rules and theory in human rights law; human rights and civil liberties, the meaning of rights; the distinction between rights and liberties; the role played by Parliament and the courts in their regulation. We look at the European Convention on Human rights, The Human Rights Acts and at the modification and restrictions on these so that the Police and the State can uphold and enforce the law.

Component 3: Perspectives of Substantive Law – Law Written examination: 2 hours 15 minutes 37.5% of the qualification 75 marks

For Component 3, learners are required to respond to questions on the same three areas of law as for Component 2, namely Tort, Criminal and Human Rights law. This component requires learners to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the English legal system and legal rules and principles, and to analyse and evaluate legal issues by identifying different perspectives, constructing clear, persuasive and logical legal arguments which are substantiated by legal authority. Legal skills are pervasive throughout this component.

In this component, learners are required to analyse and evaluate the state of the law as it has developed over time to its present state. They go on to analyse and evaluate the effectiveness of these areas of law in achieving their objectives. Finally they consider and comment on proposed and suggested reforms of such laws where it has been perceived change may be required.