Law

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Law considers all aspects of our English Legal System – why we abide by the rules, who makes our statutes and what should society do with those who break them. 

We separate our understanding of this subject between substantive areas such as Criminal Law and Tort and then look at wider issues such as whether law and morality should be combined or separated.

Mrs Elphick
Head of Law
[email protected]

“When starting at Dereham Sixth Form College I had a whole different career path planned. However, this all changed when I started studying Law at A Level. Throughout Year 12, I always found that Law was the lesson I enjoyed the most. This could be because the subject itself is so interesting – from murders to drinking a snail – or maybe it was due to the teachers I was blessed with. Both Mr and Mrs Elphick remained enthusiastic, supportive and encouraging throughout my first year of A Level Law and it made me excited to go to these lessons! After studying law for a year at DSFC, my goal now is to study Criminal Law and Youth Justice at university, hopefully qualifying as a Defence Lawyer specialising in Youth Justice. If I could do anything differently I would probably engage more in lessons because, at the end of the day, you are smarter than you think!” (Kezia)

The Course
Law works extremely well in conjunction with subjects such as History, English and Business Studies. By studying this subject you will develop techniques of logical thinking and the skills necessary to analyse and solve problems whilst developing a critical awareness of the changing nature of law in society. A Level Law offers a progression route into a number of wide ranging options including law, civil service, teaching, local government, finance and journalism.

This is a very popular subject with an extremely high retention rate. Enrichment activities include various fascinating legal trips and a popular Mooting Society.

We follow the AQA specification which covers a multitude of interesting legal areas.

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Year 1

In the first year you will study some vitally important areas of law including:

  • Statutory interpretation
  • Judicial precedent
  • Parliamentary law-making and Influences on Parliament
  • Jury and magistrates and the Judiciary
  • European Union
  • Access to justice and funding
  • Criminal law (Offences against the Person)
  • Tort (Negligence)
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Year 2

In the second year you will develop your substantive knowledge and begin to include jurisprudential theory. This will include:

  • Murder
  • Voluntary and involuntary manslaughter
  • Diminished responsibility
  • Property offences
  • Preliminary offences
  • General defences
  • Medical negligence
  • Psychiatric injury
  • The escape of dangerous things
  • Contract law

Assessment
At the end of the first year you will sit two 1 ½ hour internal examinations. Should you decide to go no further with this subject, you may take the external examinations in order to obtain an AS qualification. At the end of the second year you will sit three 2 hour examinations.

Entry Requirements
Minimum 65444 including minimum Level 5 in English Language or Literature GCSE.

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