Course Content
Component 1: The Nature of Law and the English Legal System with Criminal Law
Students will learn the different sources of law, how these are created and analyse their value. Whilst also studying criminal aspects such as homicide, nonfatal offences, property offences, attempts and the defences to a crime.
Component 2: The Nature of Law and the English Legal System with Civil Law
Students will study the use of lay people in the justice system and the legal personnel who argue and apply the law. They will also learn key civil acts such as negligence, vicarious liability, occupier’s liability, nuisance and the remedies available.
Component 3: The Nature of Law and Human Rights
Students will study concepts of law with regards to justice, morality, fault and the balancing of competing interest. Learners will also engage in debates and analyse articles under the European Convention of Human Rights and the Human Rights Act 1998.
| Component | Assessment | Duration | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1: The Nature of Law and the English Legal System with Criminal Law | Written exam | 2h | 33% |
| 2: The Nature of Law and the English Legal System with Civil Law | Written exam | 2h | 33% |
| 3: The Nature of Law and Human Rights | Written exam | 2h | 33% |
| Practical | N/A |
Year 12
Half Term 1 (Sept-Nov)
Half Term 2 (Nov – Dec)
Half Term 3 (Jan – Feb)
Half Term 4 (Feb – March)
Half Term 5 (April – May)
Half Term 6 (May – July)
Half Term 1 (Sept-Nov)
Focus and Topic
- English Legal System
Core Knowledge
- Legislation
- Delegated legislation
- European Union
Core Skills
- Evaluation and analysis
- Application of legal rules
- Structuring 5/10 markers answers ILACC.
- Time management
- Independent research skills
- Presentation skills
- Understanding and use of statutes and regulations.
Assessment
- Title Assessment 1 – Sources of Law
- Mixture of MCQ/ 5/10 mark questions
- Duration 40 min
Half Term 2 (Nov – Dec)
Focus and Topic
- English Legal System
Core Knowledge
- Judicial Precedent
- Statutory interpretation
Core Skills
- Evaluation and analysis
- Application of legal rules
- Structuring 5/10 markers answers ILACC.
- Understanding and use of precedent
- Independent research skills
- Presentation skills
Assessment
- Title Assessment 2 – Sources of Law (Common Law)
- Mixture of MCQ/5/10 mark questions
- Duration 40 min
Half Term 3 (Jan – Feb)
Focus and Topic
- English Legal system
Core Knowledge
- Legal personnel
- Judges
- Lay personnel
Core Skills
- Evaluation and analysis
- Application of legal rules
- Structuring 5/10 markers answers ILACC.
- Time management
- Independent research skills
- Presentation skills
- Application of jurors responsibilities
Assessment
- Title Assessment 3 – Personnel
- Mixture of MCQ /5/10 mark questions
- Duration 40 min
Half Term 4 (Feb – March)
Focus and Topic
- Tort: Negligence
Core Knowledge
- Contributory Neg
- Consent
- Occupiers Liability
Core Skills
- Evaluation and analysis
- Application of legal negligence and OLA rules
- Structuring a scenario answer (30 marker) ILACC
- Time management
- Independent research skills
- Presentation skills
Assessment
- Title Assessment 4 – Tort Negligence
- Mixture of MCQ /5/10/ 30 marker questions
- Duration 1 hour
Half Term 5 (April – May)
Focus and Topic
- Tort:
Core Knowledge
- Nuisance
- Rylands and Fletcher
- Vicarious Liability
Core Skills
- Evaluation and analysis
- Application of legal rules regarding different nuisance and Vicarious liability.
- Structuring a scenario answer (30 marker) ILACC
- Time management
- Independent research skills
- Presentation skills
Assessment
- Title Assessment 5 – Tort: Nuisance and Vicarious liability
- Mixture of MCQ /5/10/ 30 marker questions
- Duration 1 hour
- MOCK PAPER 2 (excluding 15 marker)
- Duration 1 hour 30 min
Half Term 6 (May – July)
Focus and Topic
- Crime: Basics
Core Knowledge
- Actus reus
- Mens Rea
- Causation
- Strict liability
- Murder
Core Skills
- Evaluation and analysis
- Application of legal rules
- Structuring 5/10 markers answers ILACC.
- Time management
- Independent research skills
- Presentation skills
Assessment
- Title: Assessment 6 – Crime fundamentals
- Mixture of MCQ/ 5/10 mark questions
- Duration 40 min
Year 13
Half Term 1 (Sept-Nov)
Half Term 2 (Nov – Dec)
Half Term 3 (Jan – Feb)
Half Term 4 (Feb – March)
Half Term 5 (April – May)
Half Term 6 (May – July)
Half Term 1 (Sept-Nov)
Focus and Topic
- Crime
Core Knowledge
- Murder
- Manslaughter Voluntary and involuntary
Core Skills
- Evaluation and analysis
- Application of legal rules regarding fatal and non fatal offences and the special defences.
- Structuring a scenario answer (30 marker) ILACC
- Time management
- Independent research skills
- Presentation skills
Assessment
- Title – Assessment 7 – Fatal and non fatal offences
- Mixture of 5/10/30 mark questions
- Duration 1 hour
Half Term 2 (Nov – Dec)
Focus and Topic
- Crime
Core Knowledge
- Property offences
- Attempts
- Defences
Core Skills
- Evaluation and analysis
- Application of legal rules regarding property offences, attempts and defences.
- Structuring a scenario answer (30 marker) ILACC
- Time management
- Independent research skills
- Presentation skills
Assessment
- Title – Assessment 8 Property, attempts and defences
- Mixture of MCQ/5/10/ 30 mark questions
- Duration 1 hour
- MOCK PAPER 1 (excluding 15 marker)
- Duration 1 hour 45 min
Half Term 3 (Jan – Feb)
Focus and Topic
- Human Rights
Core Knowledge
- Fundamentals
- Art 2 – Right to life
- Art 5 – Right to liberty
Core Skills
- Evaluation and analysis
- Application of legal rules of key articles and enforcement.
- Structuring a scenario answer (30 marker) ILACC
- Time management
- Independent research skills
- Presentation skills
Assessment
- Title Assessment 9- Human Rights Art 2 and 5
- Mixture of 10/30 mark questions
- Duration 1 hour
Half Term 4 (Feb – March)
Focus and Topic
- Human Rights
Core Knowledge
- ART 8 – Right to a private life
- ART 10 – Freedom of expression
- ART 11 – Freedom of association
Core Skills
- Evaluation and analysis
- Application of legal rules of key articles and enforcement.
- Structuring a scenario answer (30 marker) ILACC
- Time management
- Independent research skills
- Presentation skills
Assessment
- Title – Assessment 10 – Human Rights art 5, 10 and 11
- Mixture of MCQ /5/10/ 30 marker questions
- Duration 1 hour
- MOCK PAPER 3
- (excluding 15 marker)
- Duration 1 hour 45 min
Half Term 5 (April – May)
Focus and Topic
- Concepts
Core Knowledge
- Morality
- Justice
- Fault
- Competing interest
Core Skills
- Evaluation and analysis
- Application of legal rules
- Structuring an essay (15 marker) Theories and analysis
- Independent research skills
- Presentation skills
Assessment
- Title: Assessment 10 – Conceptual law
- 15 marker questions X 4
- Duration 1 hour 20 m
Half Term 6 (May – July)
Focus and Topic
- N/A
Core Knowledge
- N/A
Core Skills
- N/A
Assessment
- N/A
Key Info
- Start Date: September 2026
- Awarding Body: AQA
- Study Mode: Full Time
- Course Length: 2 Years
Entry Requirements
TBC
Complementary Subjects
The course content compliments studies in English, Psychology, Sociology, Business Studies and Mathematics.
Career Opportunities
Students wishing to continue their legal studies after A Level can opt for a university degree or work based apprenticeships Both routes can lead to the qualifications required to become a Solicitor, Barrister or Legal executive
Other popular careers involve the police, teaching, social work, business and accounting.