Law

A LEVEL

It should be a crime to overlook this course.

If you love a good debate and find the justice system riveting, Law is the perfect A Level.

While there’s a great deal of theory involved to give you the best possible foundation for a career likely in the legal profession, you’ll be learning through the lens of real-life cases.

We’ll start you off with an introduction to the legal system and criminal law.

You’ll then study law making and the law of tort (a tort occurs when someone commits a wrong against another person).

The rest of your course will focus on the nature of law, and contract law.

Lunchtime drop-in sessions are available throughout the academic year when tutors are on hand to answer your questions. This is a fantastic chance for you to make your knowledge concrete and to talk through any challenges you have understanding complex topics.

You’ll not only get to study both criminal and civil law. You’ll also see it play out in real life, on a series of exciting adventures that may include London and New York City.

We visit the UK’s capital every year to explore the Houses of Parliament, and experience a live trial at the Supreme Court.

For the past five years before COVID-19 we also flew to NYC for an action-packed few days featuring trips to criminal courts and the city’s world-famous police department. You can also look forward to touring the United Nations’ spectacular headquarters on the East River.

Law students get the chance to pit wits against their peers across the country in the National Bar Mock Trial competition.

Play the role of barrister or witness in a criminal trial – in a Crown Court situation. Before a real judge.

We’ll give you plenty of chances to finesse your debating style. Master the art of the argument. Play prosecution and defence. Cross-examine the witness.

Once you’ve completed your Law A Level you’ll not only be fully apprised in the most common aspects of the justice system, and how it is carried out.

By learning about legal rules and how and why they apply to real life, you’ll develop exceptional problem-solving capabilities, be ready to think skilfully around any situation, and have advanced analytical abilities ready for the next leg of your educational journey.

LESSON TIME!

As part of your course you’ll be studying real-life legal cases which have been used to formulate the current law of this country.

In this lesson we’ll be reviewing several cases that have had considerable impact on the justice system. Including R (The Crown) v Lipman, when a man high on LSD who killed his girlfriend thinking her to be a snake, was convicted of manslaughter based on his intoxication.

And the fascinating case of R v Blaue, when the accused after stabbing his partner discovered she was a Jehovah’s Witness – and due to her faith, refused a blood transfusion to stay alive. He, too, was convicted of manslaughter and the case not only caused uproar across society – but changed the face of law.

We also take a look in this session at a civil law case brought by the mother of the last of the 13 women murdered by Yorkshire Ripper Peter Sutcliffe. During the six year manhunt, Sutcliffe was interviewed and freed nine times. But the judge rejected Jacqueline Hills’ case for compensation. The story recently became a Netflix documentary.

As we study legal cases you’ll be fully involved in debates, and we’ll discuss wider-ranging issues and implications affecting how justice is dispensed.

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What’s next?

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CAREERS

The lessons you learn in Law will propel you to success in a wide range of roles. Some students later pursue a career in Law:

Solicitor
Barrister
Accountancy
Banking
Public service Professions

COURSES

Oxbridge is a popular destination among our Law students.
50% of Xaverian’s A-level Law students study Law at university.
Medicine, psychology, business, and the sciences are also frequently chosen degrees.

Many of our Law students go on to study Law or other prestigious degrees at university, including many at Russell Group universities. Xaverian students have recently received offers to study Law at Oxford University and Russell Group universities such as Durham, York, Lancaster, Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Sheffield, Lancaster, Warwick and Nottingham.

Their peers have gone on to studying Biochemistry, Spanish and Psychology, among many other fascinating subjects.

Unit 1:

The Legal System and Criminal Law. Examination – 2 hours

Unit 2:

Law Making and the Law of Tort. Examination – 2 hour

Unit 3:

The Nature of Law and Contract Law. Examination – 2 hours

Entry requirements:

Six good passes at GCSE including two at grade 6 or above

Course specific entry requirements:

Grade 5 from English (4 will be considered)

Course duration:

2 years

Assessment methods:

3 final exams

Course type:

Linear A-level

Exam board:

OCR

We assume that you know nothing about Law when you start. We will start from scratch. All we ask of you is an open mind and a willingness to work. All the Law teachers at the College are experienced, well qualified and have a track record of excellence. We use a variety of teaching methods to ensure all our students learn effectively.

INTERESTED IN APPLYING?

My favourite subject to study was most definitely Law, it’s extremely challenging and sometimes can be daunting but we can’t live life in our comfort zones. Law has really taught me a lot, such as different aspects of my day-to-day life, criminal law, and also how to critique the law which I believe is essential for our generation in order to bring about change.