Curriculum Structure (Overview)
Year 12
Unit 1: Dispute Solving in Civil Law (90 credits - Exam)
Learners explore how civil disputes are resolved, both in the courts and by alternative means. They will examine precedent and its application in the law of negligence.
In this unit, you will learn about the courts that deal with civil law disputes, in addition to alternative methods of resolution. The basic principles of the law of negligence are considered and applied, together with sources of advice, funding, resolution and remedies. You will develop legal skills in research and will use these research skills to investigate the way in which the law is applied. You will learn how to reference legal sources and how to communicate professionally with colleagues and clients. To complete the assessment task within this unit, you will need to draw on your learning from across your qualification.
Assessment Outcomes
AO1 Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of precedent, the civil justice system and process and the concept of negligence in English civil law, together with legal skills of research and communication
AO2 Be able to apply knowledge and understanding to examine negligence scenarios and advise clients on the likely outcome of negligence claims, making connections to precedent, courts and appeals, personnel and funding
AO3 Analyse legal information, demonstrating the ability to interpret the potential impact and influence on future cases
AO4 Evaluate evidence to make informed judgements with appropriate justification, synthesising ideas and evidence from several sources to support arguments
Unit 4: Aspects of Family Law (60 Credits - Coursework)
Learners explore the requirements of a valid marriage and civil partnership, the laws governing the breakdown of relationships, as well as how disputes over children are resolved by the courts.
Family law is an area of law that deals with some of the most important and sensitive aspects of our lives, with the courts mainly getting involved only when there are disputes that need to be resolved. This unit will give you an understanding of the laws governing parenthood and parental responsibility and will examine how the courts resolve disputes regarding children. There are various legal regulations governing our family lives and the formation of adult relationships. This unit will enable you to understand the distinction between marriage and cohabitation and their legal consequences. You will examine the key requirements for the formation of a valid marriage and civil partnership and how these relationships may become either void or voidable. You will investigate how individuals may terminate their adult relationships and the financial consequences of a relationship breakdown.
Learning Outcomes
Learning Outcome A: Explore the legal rules governing the formation of marriages, civil partnerships and cohabitation
Learning Outcome B: Examine the various methods for dissolving a relationship
Learning Outcome C: Investigate the legal rules governing the distribution of money and property on the breakdownof a relationship
Learning Outcome D: Examine how the courts resolve disputes over children
Year 13
Unit 3: Applying the Law (120 credits - Exam)
Learners examine the law related to specific crimes, including homicide and offences against property. They will explore the police procedures for dealing with such offences.
In this unit, you will examine case law relating to real-life crimes. You will need to be aware of specific Acts of Parliament that relate to criminal offences and police procedures. You will develop problem-solving skills and legal research skills. You will use these research skills to investigate the way in which the law is developed and applied. You will have the opportunity to apply the relevant law to a scenario involving a crime. You will develop your decision-making and communication skills, as you may have to decide how to advise clients or how the police should respond to a particular situation. You will also develop analytical and critical-thinking skills. To complete the assessment task within this unit, you will need to draw on your learning from across your programme.
Assessment Outcomes
AO1 Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of both homicide and offences against property together with the law relating to police procedure using legal terminology
AO2 Apply the laws relating to both homicide and offences against property together with the law relating to police procedure, using legal terminology and relevant case law and statute law to illustrate points made and make connections
AO3 Analyse the law relating to homicide, property offences and police procedure, demonstrating the ability to interpret the potential impact, outcome and influence on future cases
AO4 Evaluate evidence to make informed judgements with appropriate justification, synthesising ideas and evidence from several sources to support arguments
Unit 2: Investigating Aspects of Criminal Law and the Legal System (90 credits - Coursework)
Learners research how laws are made and interpreted, who advises and decides on the outcome of
criminal cases and the punishments that can be imposed if laws are broken. They will then present
advice to clients on non-fatal offence case studies.
Learning Outcomes
Learning Outcome A: Explore how statutory rules are made and interpreted
Learning Outcome B: Examine how legislation is made outside of Parliament
Learning Outcome C: Explore the various legal personnel involved in a criminal trial
Learning Outcome D: Apply the key elements of crime and sentencing in non-fatal offence case studies.
