AQA A2 Law Student Handbook

Name:

Form: Teacher(s):

2

Welcome to

A2 Law

Unit 3 – Offences Against the Person (50% of A2 marks, 25% of A level grade), 1h30m

exam; extended scenario solving questions and evaluative essay.

Unit 4 – Offences Against Property (50% of A2 marks, 25% of A level grade), 2h00m

exam; extended scenario solving questions and synoptic evaluative essay.

YEAR BREAKDOWN

Teacher in Charge:

L Freeman

September - December 2017 Unit 3

January 2018 Unit 3 mock examination

January – May 2018 Unit 4

June 2018 Unit 3 & 4 examinations

For success in this demanding yet fascinating subject, you must be able to write well and

think clearly. You will gain knowledge and understanding of legal principles. You will develop

the skills needed to critically analyse law and the legal system, and to solve criminal

scenarios. You will learn to present a logical, coherent argument using legal terminology.

Unit 3 explores fatal and non-fatal offences in detail, looking at the development of the law

through relevant case law, and finally critically evaluating these offences and looking at

proposed reforms.

Unit 4 explores property offences in detail, looking at the development of the law through

relevant case law. There is a synoptic element to the concepts of law essays which require

pupils to consider the success of the law they have studied over the past two years.

Head of Department: L Freeman E-mail: freeman.l@woodkirkacademy.com

Examination Board: AQA (www.aqa.org.uk) Specification: Law

Examination Dates: LAW01 – Tuesday 15th May 2018 (pm)

LAW02 - Thursday 24th May 2018 (pm)

LAW03 – Tuesday 12th June 2018 (pm)

LAW04 – Monday 18th June 2018 (pm)

YOU GET AS MUCH OUT OF THIS COURSE AS YOU PUT IN.

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KEY SKILLS EXPECTATIONS FROM ALL STUDENTS

Communication

Discussion groups

Consultation with staff and others

Critical appraisal of own work and others work

Presentation to peer group

Using a range of sources independently

Critical reading and thinking

Information and communication technology

Use internet sources to research the work of others

Use presentation packages to present information to peers

Word process required assignments

Use internet to research case law and keep up to date with the news

Improving own learning

Set targets and plan how these will be met

Keep to a time schedule for producing homework

Develop action points from tutorials

Problem Solving

Outline problems in written form

Plan and implement ways of solving problems.

Review and record your progress with a member of staff

Working with others

Make a contribution to group activity

Review work with others and agree ways of improving

Ask for and develop co-operation with others with regard to making progress.

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HANDING IN WORK AND DEADLINES

You will be set homework regularly by your subject teacher. It is your own responsibility to

check this even if you are absent from the lesson. If the teacher is absent from the lesson,

work will still be set for you to complete. It is your responsibility to organise your time,

make sure you are able to access your work and get it handed in on time. To alleviate

stress and to ensure enough time is given for completing and marking work, the procedures

you MUST follow are outlined below:

• It is your responsibility to check that you understand the homework that has been set by the subject teacher. You must make sure you know how long the homework should take and the standard to which it should be completed.

• Your homework must be recorded in your planner.

• ALL work handed in must be given directly to the teacher responsible. Do not slip work under an office door or give to another teacher or student to pass on.

• Work must be named on each piece of paper handed in.

• A copy of the work handed in MUST be kept by the student on their user area or in their file and on their computer at home. This is for your protection if work is misplaced.

• Students need to pay careful attention to advice/feedback given whether verbally or written.

• Homework and coursework must be word processed unless your teacher informs you otherwise.

• In the case of absences from school on the day of a deadline, work must be sent by e-mail to your teacher. If the student is aware of the absence prior to the date, work needs to be handed in BEFORE the deadline or sent to the member of staff by e-mail.

• Work must be handed in at the start of the lesson on the day of the deadline.

• Work submitted must be the student’s own work. Plagiarism or paraphrasing is illegal and could cost you your A level. Any quotations must be referenced.

• Research work does not mean JUST downloading from the internet.

• Computer and printer problems are NOT an acceptable reason for late work.

You must:

1. Complete your homework to at least TARGET STANDARD. 2. Meet the homework deadline. Repeated failure to meet deadlines will result in

referral to homework support. 3. Send your work in to your subject teacher if you are absent on the deadline

day.

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GRADE BOUNDARIES AND USING UMS MARKS

Question: Why is my UMS mark important? Answer: The UMS mark is the mark that matters when calculating your final grade. Why do I need to know my UMS mark? You need to be able to set yourself targets, using the UMS information, to meet your target grades so you can secure a place on the university course OR the job of your choice. The tables below will help you calculate what UMS mark and grade you need. Unit 1 - Law Making + The Legal System

Max Mark A B C D E U

Raw Mark 96 78 71 64 57 51 0

Percentage 100 82 74 67 60 54 0

UMS 100 80 70 60 50 40 0

Unit 2 - The Concept of Liability

Max Mark A B C D E U

Raw Mark 94 77 69 61 53 45 0

Percentage 100 82 74 65 57 48 0

UMS 100 80 70 60 50 40 0

Unit 3 – Criminal Law (Offences Against the Person)

Max Mark A* A B C D E U

Raw Mark 80 68 63 57 52 47 42 0

Percentage 100 85 79 72 65 59 53 0

UMS 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 0

Unit 4 – Criminal Law (Offences Against Property)

Max Mark A* A B C D E U

Raw Mark 85 73 67 61 56 51 46 0

Percentage 100 86 79 72 66 60 55 0

UMS 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 0

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As you are completing your A2 studies you already have both your UMS and real

marks from your AS exams, add the marks you obtain in your Unit 3 mock exam:

A2 Target Grade: _____

UMS marks needed from Unit 3 + 4 to achieve target grade: _______

MOCK EXAM RESULT

AM I ON TRACK TO MEET MY TARGET GRADE? Y / N

WHAT DO I NEED TO DO NOW TO IMPROVE?

TARGET

HOW I PLAN TO MEET THIS TARGET

RAW MARK UMS MARK GRADE

UNIT 1

UNIT 2

UNIT 3

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TIMELINE FOR LAW

L FREEMAN - LAW03/LAW04

This is a projected timeline and is flexible to respond to the needs of a

class/individuals. If you miss a lesson either through a known absence or illness, it is

your responsibility to catch up the work.

Week No

Areas of Study Homework Dates and Deadlines

Grade

1 Murder Essay outlining AR + MR murder

2 Application of murder Peter/Katie murder scenario

3 Evaluate murder Essay evaluating murder + reforms

4 Voluntary Manslaughter –Loss of control

Outline loss of control + apply to Peter

5 Voluntary Manslaughter –Diminished Resp.

Outline dim. resp. + apply to Peter

6 Evaluate voluntary manslaughter

Essay evaluating vol. mans. + reforms

7 Invol. manslaughter -Unlawful Act

Outline UA mans. + apply to Ant + Dec

8 Invol. manslaughter -Gross Negligence

Outline GN mans. + apply to Ant + Dec

9 Non-fatal offences Murder/manslaughter evaluation

10 Application of NFOs Adam + Chris NFO scenario

11 Evaluate NFOs Essay evaluating NFOs + reforms

12 Defences -Self defence/intox

Apply self def. + intox. to Adam/Chris

13 Defences -Insanity/Automatism

Apply insanity/automatism

to Harry

14 Defences –Consent Evaluate intox/consent

Apply consent to Ant + Dec scenario

15 Evaluate intox/consent Revision

Essay evaluating intox/consent +

reforms

16 Revision Mock exam - evaluation essays

17 Theft

18 Robbery Criminal Damage

Apply theft to Darren, Evan + the bike

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19 Burglary Apply robbery to Jack + the calculator

20 Fraud by false rep Obtaining Services

Apply burglary + crim. dam. to Des + Fred

21 Making off w/t payment Blackmail

Apply false rep + services to Floyd +

George

22 Revise LAW03 Apply making off to Sam + the shoes

23 Defences – Intoxication Apply intox. to Nick + the scooter

24 Defences - Duress Apply duress to Tom + Fez

25 Law + Morality Research five 21st century cases based

on morality

26 Law + Morality Essay analysing relationship between

law + morals

27 Judicial Creativity Research five 21st century cases where HL changed the law

28 Judicial Creativity Essay analysing how judges make law

29 Fault Research five 21st century cases where liability without fault

30 Fault Essay analysing whether law is based

on fault

31 Revision Mock exam – property offences

Mock exam – fatal/ non-fatal offences

32 Revision Mock exam – concepts of law

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Unit 3 overview + suggested mindmaps

The exam requires you to answer two scenario questions; one about fatal offences and the other about non-fatal offences against the person. The third question is an extended essay evaluating either: murder and voluntary manslaughter, non-fatal offences or two defences; you will not be able to choose which topic; it will be designated in the exam. You must know the actus reus and mens rea of all the offences and be able to apply the theory and tests studied to the unpredictable scenarios and come to a justified conclusion. Case principle must be learnt thoroughly, however case dates are unimportant and time should not be wasted learning them.

Murder

Actus reus

Causation

Mens rea

Evaluation + reform

Voluntary manslaughter

Diminished responsibility

Loss of Control

Evaluation + reform

Involuntary manslaughter

Gross negligence manslaughter

Unlawful act manslaughter

Non-fatal offences

S39 assault + battery

S47 assault occasioning abh

S20 reckless wounding + gbh

S18 wounding + gbh with intent

Evaluation + reform

Defences

Insanity

Automatism

Intoxication

Consent

Self-defence/prevention of crime

Evaluation + reform

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Unit 4 overview + suggested mindmaps

The exam requires you to answer two scenario questions; both about property offences. The third question is an extended essay critically analysing one of three topics: law and morals, judicial creativity or fault; three possible topics will be designated in the exam, you write one essay and hopefully you will have a choice. You must know the actus reus and mens rea of all the offences and be able to apply the theory and tests studied to the unpredictable scenarios and come to a justified conclusion. Case principle must be learnt thoroughly, however case dates are unimportant and time should not be wasted learning them.

Actus Reus Mens Rea

Theft

Robbery

Blackmail

S9(1)(A)

S9(1)(B)

Crim. Dam.

Agg. Dam.

Arson

False Rep

Services

Making Off

You must also be able to write a 45 minute evaluative concepts of law essay. The topics you must understand are:

Law and morals

Judicial Creativity

Fault

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Descriptors for Substantive Law Questions

Sound Accurate, comprehensive explanation and application, which demonstrates strong knowledge and understanding and comes to satisfactory conclusions. There may be some omission, error, or confusion but it will be insufficient to undermine the basic characteristics of the answer. Clear Broadly accurate and relatively comprehensive explanation and application, though a little superficial and with some error/confusion that begins to affect quality of the analysis. Some Explanation/application in relation to relevant aspects but characterised by significant omissions/errors/confusion. Fragments Isolated words or phrases, including case names and statutes, which have potential relevance but remain entirely undeveloped or mere identification of relevant offences/defences.

Mark bands (3 potential content) – list of maximum marks 25 - two sound, one clear 23 - two sound, one some or one sound, two clear 21 - two sound or one sound, one clear, one some or three clear 19 - one sound, one clear or one sound, two some or two clear, one some 17 - one sound, one some or two clear or one clear, two some 14 - one sound or one clear, one some or three some 13 - two sound explanation only 11 - one clear or two some 09 - one sound explanation only or two clear explanation only or three some explanation 07 - one some or one clear explanation only or two some explanation only 05 - one some explanation only 04 - fragments or substantial error/incoherence 00 - completely irrelevant

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Descriptors for Evaluative Law Questions

Sound Explanation: Strong explanatory framework, correctly identifying and accurately and comprehensively explaining, relevant rules/procedures/theories in the central aspects of the potential content. Supported by relevant examples. Marginal aspects of potential content may contain some minor omissions/inaccuracies. Analysis/Evaluation: Perceptive, coherent arguments make careful use of examples, and are directly related to the thrust of the question. Summaries and conclusions are sustainable, and flow logically from the supporting explanations and arguments.

Clear Explanation: Explanatory framework, correctly identifying and accurately explaining significant parts of rules/procedures/theory in the central aspects of the potential content, though there are some omissions/errors/confusion. A little overemphasis of marginal aspects at the expense of more central aspects. Relevant examples are used but a little confusion/error in selection/explanation Analysis/Evaluation: Appropriate yet restricted arguments with a little inaccuracy/confusion make use of relevant examples but do not always succeed in incorporating them in a fully coherent way or in demonstrating their full relevance. Summaries/conclusions may be a little tentative and may not fully address the thrust of the question.

Some Explanation: Explanatory framework which correctly identifies and accurately explains a very limited part of rules/procedures/theory in the central aspects of the potential content, thought there may be a very evident imbalance between central and marginal aspects, and suffer from significant omission/ error/confusion. If introduced at all, examples may be of marginal relevance or their treatment may be highly superficial/inaccurate. Analysis/Evaluation: Arguments are undeveloped and limited to simple assertions or assumptions. which may be characterised by evident confusion which significantly impedes coherence. Very limited use is made of examples. Summaries/conclusions may be absent or barely address the thrust of the question.

Mark bands – list of maximum marks

Max 30: two sound Max 27: one sound, one clear Max 23: one sound, one some or two clear Max 19: one sound or one clear, one some Max 15: one clear or two some Max 10: one some Max 5: fragments or substantial error or incoherence 0: no relevant information

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Quality of Written Communication 4-5 marks: Moderately complex ideas are expressed clearly and reasonably fluently, through well linked sentences and paragraphs. Arguments are generally relevant and well structured. There may be occasional errors of grammar, punctuation and spelling. 2-3 marks: Straightforward ideas are expressed clearly, if not always fluently. Sentences and paragraphs may not always be well connected. Arguments may sometimes stray from the point or be weakly presented. There may be some errors of grammar, punctuation and spelling, but not such as to detract from communication of meaning. 1 mark: Simple ideas are expressed clearly, but arguments may be of doubtful relevance or be obscurely presented. Errors in grammar, punctuation and spelling may be noticeable and intrusive, sufficient to detract from communication of meaning. 0 marks: Ideas are expressed poorly and sentences and paragraphs are not connected. There are errors of grammar, punctuation and spelling, such as to severely impair communication of meaning.

EXAM PRACTICE

All revision materials, past papers and model answers are available on Pupilshare in the Law folder. Students can access these direct from school PCs or through home access. During study leave students will have 2 hours each day where Law revision sessions will be provided. Any past papers or exam questions which are completed in students’ own time will be marked by L Freeman within a 2 day turnaround and given an exam grade.

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READING LIST

It is important that you extend your knowledge of this subject. The texts listed below are

recommended; you are not expected to read them all. There are also several books as well

as other resources available in the LRC– just ask your teacher or the librarian for advice.

Several important cases to investigate are:

Smith v Hughes [1960] 1 WLR 830

LNER v Berriman (1946) 1 AC 278

Re Sigsworth [1935] Ch 89 R v Allen (1872) LR 1 CCR 367 Royal College of Nursing v DHSS [1981] AC 800 826 Eisenhower (1984) 78 Cr. App. R. 48. Donoghue v Stevenson [1932] UKHL 100 Caparo Industries plc v Dickman [1990] 2 AC 605 Bolton v Stone [1951] AC 850, [1951] 1 All ER 1078 Hill v Chief Constable of West Yorkshire [1988] HL The Wagon Mound Case [1961] A.C. 888

USEFUL WEBSITES/Apps

As the law is a fluid, ever changing subject, the internet is far more useful than any book will ever be.

You must keep up to date with new case law and statutes as they come into effect. The following

website will not only be a source of new law, but also old case law which will help you understand

the tests and theories which we study throughout the course. You should certainly register with E-

lawstudent.com to enable remote access from off-campus.

http://sixthformlaw.info/ http://www.lawobserver.co.uk/index.html http://www.npia.police.uk/digest http://www.peterjepson.com/law/LAW.HTM http://www.bailii.org/openlaw/english_legal_system.html http://a-level-law.com/aqa_page.htm http://www.a-level-law.net/ http://www.legalmax.info/ http://www.e-lawstudent.com/index.php http://www.helpwithlawexams.co.uk/ http://www.venables.co.uk/studentsresources.htm http://www.vtstutorials.ac.uk/tutorial/law

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GLOSSARY OF TERMS

Term Definition

Common law

Statute

Precedent

Delegated legislation

Statutory interpretation

Liability

Normative

Pluralistic

Positivism

Natural Law

Obiter dicta