Careers related to studying Law:
There are numerous career opportunities available to a person with qualifications in law. You may train to be a Barrister, Solicitor or a Chartered Legal Executive through the apprenticeship scheme. Local Government, Education, NHS, Police, Crown Prosecution and Businesses all value employees with a legal background, as you will have excellent problem solving skills, research and communication skills, and the ability to provide advice and guidance on the interpretation and application of the law in day-to-day situations.
COURSE CONTENT:
Studying Law provides students with valuable transferable skills, for example reasoning, analytical skills and problem solving skills through the application of legal rules, together with an understanding of legal method and reasoning. As part of your Eduqas syllabus, you will complete three exam papers at the end of year 13. These follow three components;
- Component 1: The Nature of Law and the English Legal System
- Component 2: Substantive Law in Practice (Law of Tort, Criminal Law and Human Rights Law)
- Component 3: Perspectives of Substantive Law (Law of Tort, Criminal Law and Human Rights Law)
The content is as follows:
YEAR 12
The Nature of Law and the English Legal System: you will focus on the knowledge and understanding of the English legal system, primary and secondary sources of law, and how laws are used by judges in making decisions. You will also develop your knowledge of the criminal justice system, civil justice system and relevant legal personnel and legal funding.
Criminal Law: You will focus on the knowledge and understanding of the criminal legal system, rules and principles. You will learn the substantive law of fatal and non-fatal offences, property offences and relevant defences and how to apply their legal rules to given scenarios. You will also learn how to analyse and evaluate legal issues, gathering different perspectives and contrasting clear, persuasive and logical legal arguments.
YEAR 13
Human Rights Law: you will focus on the knowledge and understanding of Human Rights Law, including protection of rights and freedoms in the UK, the specific provisions of the European Convention on Human Rights and restrictions put in place on these rights. You will also learn about enforcement of the ECHR as well as proposals for reform. You will learn how to apply Human Rights Law to scenario questions, as well as learn to critically analyse and evaluate this area of the law.
The Law of Tort: You will focus on the knowledge and understanding of the legal rules and principles relating to the Law of Tort. You will learn substantive perspectives on law, such as liability in negligence, occupier’s liability, torts connected to land and vicarious liability. You will also learn relevant defences and remedies in Tort Law and learn how to apply substantive law to different scenarios. You will also learn how to analyse and evaluate the different aspects of Tort Law.
Entry requirements:
You must have achieved at least 5 GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including at least a grade 4 in English Language. You must have passion and the enthusiasm for studying Law as a subject as it is very challenging topic. You must be prepared to read extensively and participate fully in all aspects of teaching and learning, throughout the two-year study period.
Subject specific events:
You will have the opportunity to expand your learning beyond the classroom during visits to the Local Magistrates and Crown Courts and perhaps by participating in a Mock Trial competition as well as possible visits to the Houses of Parliament and the Scottish and Welsh Assemblies.
Where does it lead?
Study at year 12 and 13 provides a useful background for the further study of Law either as the main subject or subsidiary part of a degree, foundation degree or for the many professional qualifications which have a law component.
Methods of study:
Teaching groups tend to be between ten and eighteen in number, and the course is taught through a range of teaching and learning strategies. These strategies include group discussion (whole group, small group and pairs), analysis of legal scenarios and evaluation of different legal principles. You will also prepare presentations (individual, paired or small group) and will report back on your findings. Much of your work will be produced independently. However, there are frequent opportunities to share ideas either prior to, during or after written assignments. You should expect to complete approximately 5 hours of independent study outside of your lessons. You will be expected to read around the subject and keep up-to-date with new legal developments.
Methods of assessment:
All assessment for the course is through 100% written examination.