Law

Key Stage 4

Year 10
Introduction to Law
Meaning and definition of law
Classifications of law (Public & Private; Civil & Criminal)

Courts & Processes
Hierarchy of the courts
The Criminal Courts – Their pre-trial procedures, the trial, post-trial
The Civil Courts – Their pre-trial procedures, the trial, post-trial

People in the Law
Lay People
The role of juries and lay magistrates in the criminal legal system
Solicitors and Barristers
An understanding of their training, role and work
Judges
An understanding of the different judges and which court the judges sit in

Sources of English Law
Act of Parliament
Understanding of the process of how a Bill becomes an Act of Parliament
Judicial Precedent
An understanding of how the system of judicial precedent operates through the hierarchy of the courts
European Law
Students will understand the principle of Parliamentary supremacy, including the impact of the European Union.

Year 11
Criminal Law
Introduction to Criminal Law
An outline understanding of the following: actus reus and mens rea; strict liability
Fatal Offences
Understanding of the definition and key elements of the following fatal offences: murder, voluntary manslaughter based on diminished responsibility and loss of control; involuntary manslaughter (constructive and gross negligence)
Non-Fatal Offences
Understanding of definition and key elements of the following non-fatal offences against the person: common assault (assault and battery); assault occasioning actual bodily harm; grievous bodily harm and wounding (s.20 and s.18)

Property Offences
Outline of the following property offences: theft; robbery; burglary; making off without payment
General Defences
Outline understanding of the following defences: insanity; automatism; intoxication; duress; duress of circumstances/necessity; self-defence; consent

Family Law
Marriage
Understanding of the following: requirements of a valid marriage; void and voidable marriage; civil partnerships
Divorce
Understanding of the following: irretrievable breakdown & proof based on the 5 facts; decree nisi and decree absolute
Outline understanding of the following: maintenance; child maintenance; the role of the courts and mediation
Succession
Understanding of the following: requirements of a valid will; privileged wills; revocation of a will; rules of intestacy; personal representatives; family provision