Congratulations for completing your
GCSEs!
On a post it write down:
1 thing you have liked and 1 thing you have
disliked/found difficult during GCSEs and why you have
chosen A Level Law.
What we will be studying this year.
January Exam: Unit 1
1) Law Making
2) English Legal System
June Exam: Unit 2
1) Introduction to criminal
liability
2) Introduction to tort
You will be assessed by a 1½ hour exam at the end of each unit in
3 main areas:
AO1: Knowledge and Understanding
AO2: Analysis, evaluation and application
AO3: Communication and Presentation
We will aim to complete unit 1 before the mock exam giving 1 month
for extensive revision practice before your January module.
Mock Exam: Thursday 22nd November 2012
Course Expectations
Progress: Know your targets and where you are performing. Read and respond to teacher next steps to
set regular SMART targets to ensure you reach your potential in Legal Studies, and are clear about your
individual strengths and weaknesses and how to improve.
Politeness: Be on time to every lesson so you do not impact on the learning of others. Let your teacher
know of absence before the lesson by email.
Prepare: Have your folder and course hand-outs with you EVERY lesson. Read through your notes
before the lesson and review on a regular basis.
Read ahead- Be inquisitive- Use resources provided.
Read newspapers- Be aware of the wider world.
Participate: Listen to both teachers and other students and be ready to answer questions.
Be prepared to lead and participate in group work.
Communicate with your teacher – access your emails.
Contribute to the A Level blog on the website.
Plan: If you cannot meet deadlines you need to manage expectations. If you have a problem discuss it
with your teacher. Take control of your life.
Private Study: Make use of this time, plan at least 3 periods for your law work
Law website
Throughout the course I will be uploading extra materials on my website
www.msbenjaminlawsite.jimdo.com .
You will also find details of the Bar Mock Trial competition .
Target Setting
It is vital that you do all you can to be successful this year.
Identify 2 personal targets for you to meet by half term
which will help you maximise your success on this course.
Remember your targets must be:
Specific
Measurable
Achievable
Realistic
Timed
What is law?
• Complete the card sort on your desk in pairs,
separate the cards into Laws/Not Laws.
What things did you consider to make your decision?
What is law?
Around the room are 4 definitions of law
move to the one you think describes law best
Types of Law
There are 2 categories of law that are dealt with
differently in the courts these are:
CRIMINAL LAW
Offence forbidden by the State
for the benefit of Society
CIVIL LAW
Deals with
disputes/disagreements
between parties
PUBLIC INTEREST/SAFETY
Which category of law would deal with the following situations?
Types of Law
Identify the areas
of law in this
situation
• Sharon and Greg have been married for 3
years. During an argument in the kitchen
Sharon got really angry with Greg and in a
struggle stabbed him.
• Greg now wants a divorce from Sharon and
custody of their 4 children.
Types of Law
Identify the areas
of law in this
situation
• Aaliyah just bought a new sports car and
wanted to test it out. She was driving at
100mph when the speed limit is 70mph, and
was also on her mobile phone!
Types of Law
Identify the areas
of law in this
situation
• Frank bought a Mocha from a café, after
drinking it he found a decomposed snail in the
bottom.
• Frank was ill for 2 weeks, once he got better
he confronted the owner of the café
• During the heated argument the café owner
had a heart attack and died.
Types of Law
• The law is complex and in any situation there
may be different ways of pursuing a case.
• It is easier to win a civil case than a criminal
case, as the burden of proof is less.
• Why do you think that is the case?
Types of Law
• In order for the laws to be effective there are a
few things that need to be present in order for
people to respect and uphold them.
• One of these is that the law is easy to
understand! Can you think of any more?
Fair enforcement
Clear and fair punishments
Most people agree with the law
Unit 1: Law Making
Who makes the law?
Introduction
• Parliament makes the most important
laws in this country.
• They are called Acts of Parliaments (or
statutes)
• There are thousands of statutes: It
would take an average adult 400 years
to read all of the applicable law in
England! (Times, 2006)
Times Online, December 11, 2006
Introduction cont/
• However not all of these Acts of Parliament
are drafted properly/cover every eventuality
and that is when Judges interpret the law
through Judicial Precedent.
• Sometimes there isn't even Acts of Parliament
for judges to use so they create Common Law
through Judicial Precedent.
• Can you remember who makes up Parliament?
How much do you know about UK Politics?
Complete the card loop activity in pairs.
1. Queen
Signs proposed new
laws that has been
approved by parliament
Parliament
Legislative body (makes
law) and regulates the
Government
3. House
of Lords
2. House of
Commons
Made up of MP’s inc. Government
Prime
Minister
Made up of senior judges who
help make law and hear cases
of extreme public importance
MP’s - 646
Government
-Help PM run the
country
-Made up of
around 100
Ministers
Cabinet
-Made up of
around 20 Senior
Ministers
-Each Minister
responsible for
particular issue
LAW MAKING IN ENGLAND
A statute is also referred to as an Act of Parliament and is
the form most laws are passed.
1. In the UK Statute law making starts with an idea for a
new law.
2. This law is then put into writing.
3. The next step is a consultation with experts,
amendments may made.
4. This is then presented to parliament.
LAW MAKING IN ENGLAND
•
The idea in writing has to be quite detailed
and is called a bill.
•
The bill should say:
1. Who the proposed law will affect
2. The situations it will apply to
3. The intended penalties for breaking law.
LAW MAKING IN ENGLAND
Who can submit a bill?
There are different types of bills depending upon who proposes them.
PRIVATE BILLS
PUBLIC BILLS
Affect one particular
area or organisation
Affect general public
as a whole
LAW MAKING IN ENGLAND
We will be looking at the stages to pass Government
backed Public Bills.
consultation
Green
Paper
White Paper
*BILL*
Report
Stage/ Third
reading
Committee
Stage
House of Lords
First Reading
House of Lords
2nd Reading
House of
Commons
First Reading
House of
Commons
Second Reading
Committee
Stage
Third
Reading
LAW MAKING IN ENGLAND
Make notes from the Clips about what happens in each
stage
Green
Paper
White Paper
*BILL*
consultation
Report
Stage/ Third
reading
House of Lords
First Reading
Committee
Stage
House of Lords
2nd Reading
House of
Commons
First Reading
House of
Commons
Second Reading
Committee
Stage
Third
Reading
Parliamentary Influences
Learning Objectives
1. Describe a range of influences on Parliament
2. Give appropriate examples of each influence
3. Evaluate the effectiveness of each influence
Who/What might
influence decisions
that Parliament
make?
Political
Law
Commission
Pressure
Groups
Parliamentary
Influences
EU Law
Media/Public
Opinion