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: [email protected]
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.
3
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.
4
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.
5
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
6
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
7
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
8
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
9
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
10
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
11
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
12
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
13
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.
14
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
15
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Term Definition
Common law
Statute
Precedent
Delegated legislation
Statutory interpretation
Liability
Normative
Pluralistic
Positivism
Natural Law
Obiter dicta