One of the great things about studying Law at Ashbourne is that criminal law is the specialist study chosen, which students find interesting. It also allows for engaging classroom discussion. Classes have an exam focus so that students are well practiced in answering past paper questions. Students are expected to keep up to date with recent legal developments and use resources such as the Ministry of Justice website, media reports and law reports in Thursday’s edition of ‘The Times,’ to do so. The aim is to apply legal principles to real life. For example, students are asked to find the relevant legal principles in new case law. Extensive video resources are used to make developments in European law more accessible. Students also enjoy visits to the county and criminal courts, including the Old Bailey and Supreme Court.
Why study Law?
A level law offers students the opportunity to become familiar with all aspects of the English legal system including the civil and criminal courts, the appeals process, the higher courts, rights under arrest and detention and the role of barristers and solicitors and advice agencies. Students get an insight into the whole legal system, are encouraged to be aware of the changing nature of law and become better informed about their legal rights. Even if students choose not to study law at university, they will become a better-informed citizens and gain analytical skills that will help in any further studies or career.
Which syllabus do we follow?
We follow the OCR specification for Law
How many units are there?
There are four units in total: two at AS and two at A2
What is each unit about?
Unit 1
AS unit 1 is called ‘English Legal System’.
Students will study how the legal system of England and Wales works. They study how cases come to and are tried in civil and criminal courts, and they investigate the penal system, examining the work of prisons and the probation service. They look at the role of judges, legal professionals and lay people in the legal system and investigate the provision of funding for legal services and issues involved in accessing justice.
Unit 2
AS unit 2 is called ‘Sources of Law’.
In this unit students investigate where law comes from and how it is created. They look at the doctrine of precedent, examine the way that legislation is passed through parliament and consider the role of the European law institutions. Finally, they examine the ways in which laws can be changed, in particular the role of parliament and judges and the effect of public opinion and law reform agencies.
Unit 3
AS unit 3 is called ‘Criminal Law’
In unit 3 students look more closely at the principles behind criminal law, with an in-depth study of case law and statutes. They study principles of criminal liability, attempted crimes, fatal and non-fatal offences against the person, offences against property and general defences against liability (such as self-defence).
Unit 4
AS unit 4 is called ‘Criminal Law Special Study’
This unit is based on materials, which are pre-released each year, containing sources about a specific area of the criminal law. Candidates are expected to draw together their knowledge of legal processes and issues in order to interpret the material and draw conclusions about it.
How is this unit examined?
Unit 1
In Section A candidates are required to answer at least two from a choice of five essay–based questions in order to demonstrate their knowledge and ability to analyse and evaluate material.
In section B candidates are required to answer at least one question from a choice of two application-style questions in order to demonstrate knowledge and application skills.
Unit 2
Candidates answer two source-based questions involving analysis, explanation or legal reasoning.
Unit 3
The question paper has three sections. In Section A candidates answer one essay question from a choice of three. In Section B candidates answer one problem question from a choice of three. In Section C candidates answer one Dilemma Board question. This unit is synoptic.
Unit 4
Candidates answer questions on source material based on a specific area of substantive law in the context of legal procedures and issues concerned with the development of the law. Candidates answer all three questions. The unit is synoptic.
How is the course structured?
Students study unit 1 from September to December of the AS year, and then unit 2 from January to March of the AS year. They study units 3 and 4 in the A2 year.
When do the exams take place?
AS students sit their examination in June. There will be opportunities to resit AS units in January of the A2 year. Students sit unit 3 and unit 4 in June of their A2 year.
Which Ashbourne teachers teach this course?
Dennis Fulcher
(BSc Hons (Kingston) MA (London) PGCE (Greenwich) Media and Social Sciences (HoD), Psychology, Sociology, Film, Politics and Law)
Dennis is the College’s polymath and Head of Humanities. Originally a graduate in Sociology, Dennis has also completed a Masters in Government and Political Studies, a PGCE and a Diploma in Print Journalism. He is also a teamleader for Government and Politics examiners. Dennis is a lifelong film enthusiast.
Beyond A Level for Law Students
The subject is suited to a would-be lawyer, although it must be stressed that it is not necessary to study the subject at A Level in order to read it at university. The intellectual discipline, problem-solving and essay-writing skills developed by this A Level are invaluable to anyone interested in taking a Humanities degree at university. Suitable degrees include Politics, History, International Relations, Finance and Business.
Textbooks
AS
Title - OCR Law for AS
Author - Jacquelin Martin
Web link - http://www.amazon.co.uk/OCR-Law-AS-Jacquelin-Martin/dp/0340959398/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1275916817&sr=8-1 |
