Expectations of Independent Study Students will be expected to be critical thinkers who enjoy engaging in debate on the most challenging of questions. Independent study involves a large amount of reading from Law journals to case studies, together with articles and current legal practice. Students will complete research essays that develop wider skills. Students will also watch and analyse legal cases in both local and international contexts There is a real focus on the need to engage with the wider questions of life, morality and ethics as seen through the news and the media and this will form a key aspect of their wider engagement. Why is it interesting? Have you ever wondered? • Why do we need law? • How are laws made? • How do judges make decisions? • What are the different types of court and how do they operate? • How do people become solicitors or barristers? Studying A Level Law helps you explore these questions and understand how we make decisions about right and wrong in our society. It challenges you to explore why people defend criminals and whether it is right to be deemed innocent until proven guilty. Do you want to be able to show that you can weigh up two different sets of evidence and reach a conclusion? If so then this is the course for you. What skills and knowledge will I develop by studying this subject? Section 1: The Legal System and Section 1a: Criminal Law This section focuses on the civil and criminal courts, the legal professions and access to justice. Learners will develop knowledge and understanding of the processes and people involved in the law and the changing nature of the legal system. Section 1b: Criminal Law This section focuses on the rules and general elements of criminal law and introduces criminal liability through the study of offences against the person and offences against property. Learners will develop their knowledge and understanding of criminal law and the skills to apply their legal knowledge to scenario-based situations and gain a critical awareness of the present state of criminal law. Section 2: Law Making and Section 2a: Law Making This section focuses on law making in England and Wales as well as the European Union. Section 2b: The Law of Tort This section focuses on the rules of tort, liability in negligence, occupiers’ liability and remedies. It introduces civil liability. Section 3: Further Law Section 3a: The nature of Law Learners will explore the nature of law in a wider context and develop their understanding of how the law interacts with morality, justice, society and technology. They will consider the changing nature of law. Learners will be expected to bring together the different areas of knowledge and understanding of the English legal system. Section 3b: Human Rights & Law of contract Human Rights This option focuses on human rights, including their nature, protection and constitutional position under UK law. Specific rights are explored in detail as are the restrictions upon them and the process of enforcement through the courts Law of contract This option focuses on the central elements of contract law from the formation of contracts to their enforcement. Learners will develop knowledge and understanding of the law of contract, the skills to apply their legal knowledge to scenario-based situations This course would be suitable for students who have the following skills and interests: • Debate and discussion • Essay writing • Exploring challenging questions • Abstract thinking • Have the ability to question their own views • Enjoy argument and disagreement • Enjoy exploring complex legal cases What career pathways are open to me if I study this subject? Law can be studied at university as single or joint honours and graduates enter a range of careers in the public services as well as in the private sector. It combines well with History, English and Philosophy as well as offering opportunities to continue to develop wider understandings in Society. It ensures a broad base to explore a wide range of careers with the unique range of skills acquired through this study. Law A Level is also a popular option for entry to many professional careers including: social work, human resources, the legal profession, nursing and the police or any job that requires you to think well, clearly and rigorously.