LEGAL STUDIES
Unit 1: Criminal law in action SAC One
Area of study 1: Law in society
All societies have rules and laws that govern the behaviour of individuals and groups so that order is maintained
and individual rights are protected. Students develop an understanding of the role of the law and the need for
effective laws, as well as the concept that the law confers rights and responsibilities on members of society in
their dealings with each other. Students investigate the difference between legal and non-legal rules through a
consideration of who makes, interprets and enforces rules and to whom they apply. Students gain an
understanding of the role of parliament and subordinate authorities in law-making, and the types of laws each
creates.
Outcome 1
On completion of this unit the student should be able to explain the need for effective laws and describe the main
sources and types of law in society.
To achieve this outcome the student will draw on key knowledge and key skills outlined in Area of Study 1.
Assessment:
Your task will be a 20% of Unit One and is an open book, 35 minute task. You will be required to answer a
selection of short answer to long answer questions.
Key knowledge
This knowledge includes:
• the difference between legal and non-legal rules (two or three differences)
• the need for laws (two reasons with examples)
• characteristics of an effective law (two reasons with examples)
• the distinction between criminal law and civil law (two paragraphs will be fine)
• an overview of the role and characteristics of parliament and subordinate authorities in lawmaking. For this key
knowledge will need to include;
- The structure of both Commonwealth and Victorian Parliament. Both the upper and lower houses as well
as the crown. (this should have one introductory sentence, one paragraph on the lower house facts and
one on the aim of the lower house, a paragraph on the upper house facts and one paragraph on the upper
house aims, the last paragraph should be on the crown. Do this answer structure for both the
Commonwealth Parliament and the Victorian Parliament). This is how to set out your answer in unit
one and unit three.
- How a bill passes through parliament. Know each stage. One to two sentences on each stage should be
fine.
- Explain the four types of subordinate authorities (one paragraph for each) and one strength and weakness
of law making by subordinate authorities. Use examples where possible.
- You will need to know 2 strengths and two weaknesses of parliament. Think about what we know about
Parliament. What is good about their law making? What weaknesses might they have. Ask me to help
you if you need some ideas. This will be either DISCUSS or EVALUATE.
Types of questions and general advise on paragraph structure.
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Each Paragraph should have one point in there and one only.
Evaluate (provide an introduction sentence. Your first paragraph should agree with the question. Your second
paragraph should disagree with the question. Your last paragraph should start with “in conclusion, although
there are weaknesses such as – and name your point, the strength being – and name your point, outweighs any
weaknesses).
Discuss type question may be given to you. This means you need to work on your answer structure. You
would have an introductory sentence. Then your first paragraph will need to be “agreeing” with the question.
The second paragraph will look at the opposing argument (eg, on the other hand….) For example “discuss the
strengths of parliament”. You don’t need a conclusion paragraph in a discuss question.
∆
At the beginning of each paragraph, your first sentence should be the point to the paragraph and should be a
short first sentence. For example if the question asked for two reasons why laws need to be changed you
would write in the first paragraph and the first sentence, “One reason why laws may need to be changed
is….”. In the second paragraph, you would write “A second reason why laws may need to change is….”
Legal Studies paragraph structure
The first sentence of each paragraph should be short and use the question in your first sentence. This is called
your POINT sentence. Your second sentence should explain your point and is known as your EXPLAIN
sentence. If you can, you would put an example in for your EXAMPLE sentence and finally link back to your
point in your LINK BACK sentence.
This is known as PEEL paragraphs. You will use Point and Explain usually in 1 mark - 3 mark type questions, any
question asking you to DISCUSS/EVALUATE will have PEEL used in each paragraph. We will practise this
together.
Key skills
These skills include the ability to:
• define key legal terminology and use it appropriately
• classify rules as either legal or non-legal
• consider the effectiveness of selected laws
• identify legal problems that might be addressed by criminal or civil law
• describe the role of parliament and subordinate authorities in law-making.
 Tips for successful completions of SACs.
∆ Thorough preparation is essential for the successful completion of this task.
∆ You will need to write clearly, so that I can read your answers.
∆ Look at mark allocation, if it is 1 or 2 marks, one paragraph should be fine. If it is a four mark question, your
answer will need to be about 2 – 3 paragraphs and be twice as long as your 2 mark answer. The longer the
question, the more time you should spend.
∆ Use examples wherever you can to illustrate your understanding of the content.
∆ Use the words of the question in your answer. If the question asks you to evaluate the effectiveness, you will
need to use the word “effective” in your answer. Eg the parliament is effective in making laws. Sometimes,
the parliament is not effective in making laws. Etc.
∆ SACs are your chance to show off how much you know, have learnt, and understand.
∆ If you make a mistake, put a line through it. Examiners in year 12 will not read any material that has a line or
scribble through it BUT if in doubt, keep it in. Don’t use liquid paper.
∆ Answer each question specifically referring to the wording
i.e.
In evaluating the jury system/Therefore the extent to which these objectives are achieved/
To analyse the adversary system, you first have to…etc
 During reading time
∆ Complete mental plans for each answer using specific knowledge learnt this year to support your answer.