Complete OCR A-Level Law specification revision resources. Tailored syllabus coverage with topic breakdowns, quizzes, and practice questions.
Overview
OCR A-Level Law is a comprehensive qualification designed to provide students with a deep understanding of the legal framework within England and Wales. It covers the fundamental principles of law, including the legal system, law making, and key substantive areas such as criminal law, tort, contract, and human rights. This course is ideal for students who are interested in pursuing a career in law or related fields, as it develops critical thinking, analytical skills, and a thorough grasp of legal concepts.
Throughout the course, students develop essential skills such as legal reasoning, problem-solving, and the ability to construct persuasive arguments. These skills are highly sought after by employers in sectors like law, business, government, and education. The qualification emphasizes the application of legal principles to real-world scenarios, preparing students for the demands of legal practice or further academic study.
OCR A-Level Law maps directly to careers in the legal profession, including solicitor, barrister, paralegal, and legal executive roles. It also provides a strong foundation for university degrees in law, criminology, politics, or sociology. The qualification's focus on human rights, justice, and the rule of law equips students with a broader understanding of societal issues, making it valuable for careers in advocacy, policy-making, and public service.
Why Choose OCR for Law?
OCR offers a clear and structured specification with a focus on contemporary legal issues, ensuring students engage with current developments in law.
The assessment format is consistent across all papers, allowing students to develop a uniform approach to exam technique and revision.
OCR provides extensive support materials, including past papers, mark schemes, and examiner reports, which are invaluable for targeted preparation.
Assessment & Exam Structure
The OCR A-Level Law qualification is assessed through three written examinations at the end of the two-year course. Paper 1 covers The Legal System and Criminal Law, Paper 2 covers Law Making and The Law of Tort, and Paper 3 covers The Nature of Law, Human Rights Law, and The Law of Contract. Each paper is 2 hours long and contributes equally to the final grade (33.3% each). There is no coursework or practical assessment; all exams are closed-book, requiring students to recall and apply legal principles, statutes, and case law to given scenarios. Questions include a mix of short-answer, essay, and problem-based questions, testing both knowledge and application.
Specification Topics
- The nature of law
- Law making
- The legal system
- The law of contract
- The law of tort
- Criminal law
- Human rights law
Top Exam Board Tips
- Ensure you can support each type of delegated legislation with a specific example
- When discussing judicial precedent, be prepared to explain the civil and criminal court hierarchies
- Use relevant case law to illustrate types of precedent and judicial methods
- For law reform, focus on specific influences and provide supported examples of Acts they have brought in or amended
- Understand the role of the Law Commission and their working process
- Use the provided legal reasoning developed through the study of statutory interpretation and judicial precedent
- Treat the extended response essay questions as requiring a conclusion
- Ensure evaluation answers identify different perspectives and support the strongest viewpoint
- Apply legal rules to the specific facts of the scenario rather than just reciting law
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Providing overly detailed accounts of the Parliament Acts 1911 & 1949
- Including unnecessary detail on pre-legislative procedures in either House
- Covering commencement of legislation
- Providing excessive detail on procedures, locus standi, or remedies for judicial review
- Attempting to explain influences on law reform in more than outline detail