Law
What is Law?
Law is a varied and rewarding subject that investigates the relationship between
individuals and society as regulated by the law. You will develop an understanding of legal
method and reasoning and the skills necessary to analyse and solve problems by applying
legal rules. Studying law allows students an insight into current debates, and an escape
from the ignorance of how things work generally propagated by the media and those who
are uninformed of the rules. We do not intend to turn students into ‘law bores’ but rather,
people who can see behind prominent stories and assess what is really going on. Law also
allows for the development of disciplined minds, structured arguments, and a systematic
approach to problems that is very transferable to other subjects and to life in general.
AS specification number OCR H134
Unit 1: The English Legal System:
The unit comprises seven questions, essay based and application style. Candidates are
required to answer four questions. The unit examines the civil courts and other methods of
dispute resolution; the criminal process; the criminal courts; the penal systems; the
judiciary; the legal profession; lay people in the legal system and provision of legal
services.
Unit 2: Sources of Law:
The unit comprises two source based questions involving analysis, explanation or legal
reasoning. Candidates are required to answer one question. The unit examines the
doctrine of precedent; legislation; European Union law and law reform.
A2 specification number OCR H534
Criminal Law
The unit examine the following: Principles of criminal liability; preliminary crimes, non-fatal
offences against the person, murder and manslaughter and offences against property. You
will be expected to gain knowledge and understanding of criminal law and to develop a
critical awareness of the present state of criminal law. You will develop an appreciation of
the role of criminal law in modern society and an ability to relate this to specific issues. The
study of this area of substantive law requires you to be particularly methodical and
organised in your thinking.
Unit 3:. This unit has three sections.
Section A – candidates are required to answer one essay question from a choice of three.
Section B – candidates are required to answer one problem question from a choice of
three.
Section C – candidates are required to answer one Dilemma Board question from a choice
of two.
Unit 4: This unit is synoptic.
The Special Study paper consists of questions on source material based on the area of
substantive law being studied within the context of legal processes and issues and the
development of the law.
Reading list
AS Level
Jacqueline Martin The English Legal System 4th ed Hodder & Stoughton
Jacqueline Martin Looking at The English Legal System Hodder & Stoughton
A2 Level
Jacqueline Martin Criminal Law for A2 Hodder Arnold
Chris Turner Looking at Criminal Law Hodder and Stoughton