What is the difference between substantive law and procedural law?

Substantive law defines rights and duties, such as the law of murder or contract, while procedural law sets out the rules for enforcing those rights, like court procedures and evidence rules. In your A-Level, substantive law is the content you apply to cases, whereas procedural law is how cases are processed.

How do I answer a problem question in law exams?

Use the IRAC method: Identify the legal Issue, state the relevant Rule (statute or case), Apply it to the facts, and give a Conclusion. For example, in a negligence question, first identify if a duty of care exists, then apply the Caparo test to the facts, and conclude on breach and damage.

What is the significance of Donoghue v Stevenson?

Donoghue v Stevenson (1932) established the modern law of negligence by introducing the 'neighbour principle' and duty of care. It created a general duty to avoid foreseeable harm to others, forming the basis for subsequent cases like Caparo v Dickman. It's a landmark case you must know for tort law.

How do judges interpret statutes?

Judges use rules of interpretation: the literal rule (plain meaning), golden rule (to avoid absurdity), mischief rule (to remedy the problem the Act aimed to fix), and the purposive approach (to give effect to Parliament's intention). They also use aids like intrinsic (within the Act) and extrinsic (outside, like Hansard) materials.

What is strict liability in criminal law?

Strict liability offences do not require mens rea for at least one element of the actus reus. For example, selling alcohol to a minor is an offence even if the seller reasonably believed the person was over 18. These offences are usually regulatory and aim to protect public safety.

How does precedent work in UK courts?

Precedent means courts follow decisions of higher courts in similar cases (stare decisis). The Supreme Court binds all lower courts, and the Court of Appeal binds the High Court. However, the Supreme Court can depart from its own precedents under the Practice Statement 1966, and lower courts can distinguish cases if facts differ.

The Practice of Substantive Law

WJEC

A-Level

This topic covers the foundational rules and theoretical framework of human rights law, including the distinction between rights and liberties, the constitutional protection of rights in the UK, the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), and the impact of the Human Rights Act 1998.

Objectives

Exam Tips

Pitfalls

Key Terms

Mark Points

Subtopics in this area

The rules and theory of human rights law

Provisions of Article 8, right to respect for private and family life, home and correspondence; Article 8 exceptions; Provisions of Article 10, right to freedom of expression. Article 10 exceptions; Provisions of Article 11, right to freedom of peaceful assembly and to freedom of association with others, including the right to form and to join trade unions. Article 11 exceptions.

Public order offences – freedom to meet, gather, demonstrate and protest; relationship between maintenance of public order and legitimate expression of opinion and dissent. Control of public gatherings, meetings and protests. Offences against public order, including incitement to racial hatred and religious hatred. Police powers – the law relating to police powers of stop and search; search of premises; arrest; detention; rights of persons in police custody. Remedies against the police, including for malicious prosecution and false imprisonment. Interception of communications - access to information relating to individuals; telephone tapping. Duty of confidentiality - breach of confidence, misuse of private information. Obscenity – arguments for and against restriction; problems of definition; methods of control; controls over books, magazines, films, DVDs, live performances, broadcasting; reforms. Torts of defamation - protection of reputation – defamation. Torts of trespass, harassment.

Role of domestic courts. The process of judicial review. The role of the European Court of Human Rights.

Reform of the protection of human rights in the United Kingdom. The need for a United Kingdom Bill of Rights. The role of the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

Rules and theory of the law of contract

Essential requirements of contract, including privity of contract

Express and implied terms, conditions, warranties and innominate terms, exclusion and limitation clauses

Misrepresentation and economic duress

Discharge of contract including breach of contract, performance and frustration

Remedies including damages and equitable remedies

Rules and Theory of Criminal Law and Process

Elements of Crime: Actus Reus, Mens Rea, Causation and Strict Liability

Fatal and Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person

Theft, Robbery and Burglary

Capacity and Necessity Defences

Attempts

Topic Overview

The Practice of Substantive Law is a core component of the WJEC A-Level Law course, focusing on how legal rules are applied in real-world scenarios. This topic bridges the gap between theoretical legal principles and their practical implementation in courts and tribunals. Students explore key areas such as criminal law, tort law, and contract law, learning how statutes and case law are interpreted and enforced. Understanding this practice is essential for aspiring lawyers, as it develops critical thinking and analytical skills needed to advise clients, construct arguments, and predict outcomes.

This topic matters because it transforms abstract legal concepts into actionable knowledge. For example, in criminal law, students examine the elements of offences like murder or theft, and then apply them to factual situations to determine liability. In tort law, they learn how negligence claims are assessed using the 'duty of care' test from Donoghue v Stevenson. By studying case precedents and statutory interpretation techniques, students gain insight into how judges shape the law. This practical focus prepares students for examinations and future legal studies or careers.

Within the wider subject, The Practice of Substantive Law connects to other WJEC topics like Legal Systems and Law Making. It requires understanding of court structures, precedent, and legislation. Mastery of this area enables students to tackle problem questions effectively, which are a staple of A-Level assessments. It also highlights the dynamic nature of law, showing how societal changes influence legal practice through landmark cases and reforms.

Key Concepts

Core ideas you must understand for this topic

→Actus reus and mens rea: The physical and mental elements of a crime, both must be proven for criminal liability.
→Duty of care: A legal obligation to avoid causing harm, established in negligence claims via the Caparo test.
→Offer and acceptance: The formation of a contract, requiring a clear offer and unconditional acceptance.
→Statutory interpretation: Methods like the literal rule, golden rule, and mischief rule used by judges to interpret legislation.
→Precedent: The doctrine of stare decisis, where lower courts follow decisions of higher courts.

What You Need to Demonstrate

Key skills and knowledge for this topic

Distinction between rights and liberties
Role of Parliament and the courts in regulating rights
Entrenched nature of the Human Rights Act 1998
Protection of rights within the UK constitution
History, scope, and application of the European Convention on Human Rights
Impact of the Human Rights Act 1998 as a UK Bill of Rights
Criticisms of human rights and the entrenched nature of the HRA in devolutionary settlements
Pervasive nature of law and society, law and morality, and law and justice in relation to human rights law

Marking Points

Key points examiners look for in your answers

Distinction between rights and liberties
Role of Parliament and the courts in regulating rights
Entrenched nature of the Human Rights Act 1998
Protection of rights within the UK constitution
History, scope, and application of the European Convention on Human Rights
Impact of the Human Rights Act 1998 as a UK Bill of Rights
Criticisms of human rights and the entrenched nature of the HRA in devolutionary settlements
Pervasive nature of law and society, law and morality, and law and justice in relation to human rights law
Provisions of Article 8 (right to respect for private and family life, home and correspondence) and its exceptions
Provisions of Article 10 (right to freedom of expression) and its exceptions
Provisions of Article 11 (right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association, including trade unions) and its exceptions
Application of Article 8 (private/family life), Article 10 (freedom of expression), and Article 11 (freedom of assembly) of the ECHR.
Analysis of the balance between public order and individual rights.
Explanation of specific police powers including stop and search, arrest, and detention procedures.
Identification of remedies available against the police for misconduct.
Discussion of the legal definitions and controls regarding obscenity and defamation.
Application of legal rules to hypothetical scenarios involving public order or police interaction.
Understanding the grounds and procedure for judicial review in domestic courts
Explaining the role and function of the European Court of Human Rights
Applying legal principles to scenarios involving challenges to public authority actions
Evaluating the effectiveness of domestic and international human rights protection mechanisms
Ability to discuss the arguments for and against a UK Bill of Rights
Understanding of the current protection of human rights via the Human Rights Act 1998
Knowledge of the role, powers, and functions of the Equality and Human Rights Commission
Evaluation of the effectiveness of current human rights protections in the UK
Understanding of the relationship between domestic human rights reform and international obligations
Origins and definition of contract law
Function of the law of contract
Theory of contract law as a mechanism for free agreement
Importance of contract law in economic development
Arguments for a European or global contract law system
Relationship between human rights and contract law
Impact of judicial decisions, legislation, and EU provisions on formation and discharge
Freedom of contract and its relationship with consumer protection
Pervasive nature of law and society, law and morality, and law and justice in contract law
Requirements of a valid offer and distinction from invitations to treat
Rules of communication and acceptance
Rules of consideration, including existing duties and promissory estoppel
Intention to create legal relations in social/domestic vs commercial agreements
The basic rule of privity of contract
Common law exceptions to privity (e.g., collateral contracts, restrictive covenants)
The impact of the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999
Distinction between representations and terms
Incorporation of express terms and the parole evidence rule
Terms implied by fact and terms implied by statute (Consumer Rights Act 2015, Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013)
Incorporation of exclusion clauses
Application of the Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977
Distinction between conditions, warranties, and innominate terms
Definition and remedies for fraudulent misrepresentation
Definition and remedies for innocent misrepresentation
Definition and remedies for negligent misrepresentation
Application of the Misrepresentation Act 1967, specifically sections 2 and 3
Definition of economic duress and its distinction from duress to the person
Remedies available for economic duress
Distinction between bilateral and unilateral agreements in discharge by agreement
Identification of actual breach versus anticipatory breach
Application of frustration criteria: impossibility, illegality, and radical change in circumstances
Analysis of performance obligations: entire obligations, partial performance, substantial performance, and failure to meet standards of performance or care
Common Law remedy of damages: compensatory nature, tests of causation, remoteness of damage, and mitigation of loss
Equitable remedies: rescission, specific performance, rectification of document, and injunctions
Definition and purpose of criminal law
Burden and standard of proof
Codification of criminal law
Functions of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS)
Roles of the Attorney General and the Director of Public Prosecutions
Bail and remand in custody (police and court bail)
Trial process (including youth justice, trial procedure, and appeals)
Pervasive nature of law and society, law and morality, and law and justice in criminal law
Identification and definition of actus reus components (voluntary/involuntary conduct, consequences, omissions)
Identification and definition of mens rea components (intention, recklessness, negligence)
Application of factual and legal causation tests
Explanation of strict liability and application of the Gammon (1985) tests
Correct use of legal terminology and relevant case law
Elements of murder
Elements of involuntary manslaughter (constructive/unlawful act and gross negligence)
Elements of voluntary manslaughter (loss of control and diminished responsibility)
Assault and battery under the Criminal Justice Act 1988
Actual bodily harm (ABH) under the Offences Against the Person Act 1861
Wounding and grievous bodily harm (GBH) under the Offences Against the Person Act 1861
Wounding and grievous bodily harm with intent under the Offences Against the Person Act 1861
Application of legal rules to hypothetical scenarios
Theft Act 1968 s.1: actus reus (appropriation, property, belonging to another)
Theft Act 1968 s.1: mens rea (dishonesty, intention to permanently deprive)
Robbery s.8 Theft Act 1968: theft with the use or threat of force
Burglary s.9(1)(a) Theft Act 1968: entering as a trespasser with intent to commit theft, GBH, or criminal damage
Burglary s.9(1)(b) Theft Act 1968: having entered as a trespasser, stealing or attempting to steal, or inflicting/attempting to inflict GBH
Distinction between burglary in dwellings and other buildings
Distinction between voluntary and involuntary intoxication
Elements of the M'Naghten Rules for insanity
Distinction between insane and non-insane automatism
Requirements for the defence of self-defence
Requirements for the defence of duress and duress of circumstances
Statutory definition of an attempt
Requirement of mens rea for an attempt
Requirement of actus reus for an attempt
Application of the 'more than merely preparatory' test
Legal principles regarding attempts to do the impossible

Examiner Tips

Expert advice for maximising your marks

💡Ensure you can distinguish between rights and liberties.
💡Be prepared to discuss the constitutional impact of the Human Rights Act 1998.
💡Relate human rights law to the broader themes of law and society, morality, and justice as required by the specification.
💡Ensure you can apply the legal rules and principles to hypothetical scenarios for Unit 3.
💡Be prepared to analyse and evaluate the legal rules, principles, concepts, and issues for Unit 4.
💡Use relevant case law and authority to substantiate your legal arguments.
💡Demonstrate the ability to construct persuasive legal arguments, including recognizing where there are no clear precedents or conflicting precedents.
💡Always identify the specific ECHR article relevant to the scenario.
💡Use case law to support arguments regarding the balance of rights.
💡Structure answers by identifying the legal issue, applying the relevant statute or case law, and concluding on the likely outcome.
💡Ensure you distinguish between the different types of torts (e.g., trespass vs. harassment) when applying them to scenarios.
💡Be prepared to discuss the 'proportionality' of police actions in the context of public order.
💡Ensure you can distinguish between the domestic judicial review process and the role of the European Court of Human Rights
💡Use relevant case law and legal authority to support arguments regarding the legality of public body actions
💡Focus on the procedural aspects of judicial review as required by the specification
💡Ensure you can articulate specific arguments for and against the introduction of a UK Bill of Rights
💡Use current examples or debates regarding human rights reform to support your evaluation
💡Clearly define the statutory role of the Equality and Human Rights Commission
💡Focus on the 'evaluation' aspect of AO3 when discussing reform, as this is a key requirement for A2
💡Ensure you can link theoretical concepts to practical legal rules
💡Be prepared to discuss the balance between freedom of contract and consumer protection
💡Use relevant case law and authority to support your arguments
💡Demonstrate critical evaluation of the role of contract law in society
💡Ensure you can distinguish between unilateral and bilateral offers
💡Be prepared to apply the rules of consideration to complex scenarios involving part payment of debt
💡Clearly distinguish between the common law exceptions to privity and the statutory exceptions
💡Use relevant case law to support your analysis of each element of contract formation
💡Ensure clear distinction between consumer and business-to-business contracts when applying exclusion clause legislation
💡Apply legal rules to hypothetical scenarios as required by the A2 Unit 3 assessment
💡Use relevant case law and statutory authority to substantiate legal arguments
💡Ensure clear distinction between the three types of misrepresentation as they carry different remedies
💡Apply the specific sections of the Misrepresentation Act 1967 correctly to scenario-based problems
💡Distinguish clearly between economic duress and duress to the person when applying to facts
💡When applying to scenarios, always check if the contract is an 'entire obligation' contract as this dictates the strictness of the performance requirement
💡Ensure you can distinguish between a breach that allows for termination and one that only allows for damages
💡Use relevant case law to support the application of frustration, particularly regarding radical changes in circumstances
💡Ensure you can distinguish between the purpose of compensatory damages and the nature of equitable remedies
💡Apply the tests of causation and remoteness specifically to contract scenarios
💡Understand the requirement for mitigation of loss in contract claims
💡Ensure you can link the procedural elements of criminal law to the broader concepts of law and justice.
💡Be prepared to discuss the role of the CPS and its relationship with the Attorney General and Director of Public Prosecutions.
💡Understand the distinction between police bail and court bail.
💡Always define the actus reus and mens rea separately before applying them to the scenario
💡Ensure you cite relevant case law to support your analysis of causation
💡When discussing strict liability, explicitly reference the Gammon (1985) tests
💡Use the scenario facts to justify why a specific element of the crime is or is not satisfied
💡Ensure clear distinction between the different levels of non-fatal offences (ABH vs GBH vs GBH with intent).
💡Apply legal rules to the provided hypothetical scenario rather than just reciting definitions.
💡Use relevant case law and authority to support legal arguments.
💡Ensure clear distinction between the two types of burglary under s.9(1)(a) and s.9(1)(b)
💡Apply the specific mens rea requirements for theft (dishonesty and intention to permanently deprive) to the scenario facts
💡Identify the precise moment force is used in relation to the theft for robbery charges
💡Ensure you can clearly distinguish between the different types of intoxication as they lead to different legal outcomes
💡Use relevant case law to support the application of the M'Naghten Rules
💡When applying self-defence, focus on the reasonableness of the force used in the circumstances as the defendant believed them to be
💡Ensure you can clearly distinguish between the actus reus of a full offence and the actus reus of an attempt.
💡Be prepared to apply the 'more than merely preparatory' test to complex factual scenarios.
💡Understand how the law treats attempts to commit offences that are factually or legally impossible.
💡Always apply the law to the facts given in problem questions. Use the IRAC method (Issue, Rule, Application, Conclusion) to structure your answers clearly.
💡Cite relevant case names and statutes to support your points. For example, in negligence, refer to Donoghue v Stevenson for duty of care and Caparo v Dickman for the three-stage test.
💡Don't just describe the law—evaluate it. Discuss strengths and weaknesses, such as the flexibility of the mischief rule versus the certainty of the literal rule.

Common Mistakes

Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

Failing to link public order issues to the relevant ECHR articles.
Confusing the requirements for different police powers (e.g., stop and search vs. arrest).
Providing generic definitions of defamation or harassment without applying the specific legal tests.
Ignoring the 'proportionality' aspect when discussing the restriction of rights.
Misunderstanding the scope of the Human Rights Act 1998 in relation to domestic law.
Confusing the role of the EHRC with that of the European Court of Human Rights
Failing to distinguish between the Human Rights Act 1998 and a potential future UK Bill of Rights
Providing descriptive accounts of human rights rather than critical evaluation of reform proposals
Ignoring the constitutional implications of replacing or amending the Human Rights Act 1998
Confusing invitations to treat with offers
Failing to correctly identify the rules of communication for acceptance
Misapplying the rules of consideration regarding existing contractual or public duties
Misunderstanding the scope of the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999
Confusing the different types of performance (e.g., failing to distinguish between entire obligations and substantial performance)
Misapplying the doctrine of frustration to situations where performance has merely become more expensive or difficult
Failing to correctly identify whether a breach is actual or anticipatory in a scenario
Confusing factual causation with legal causation
Failing to identify the specific type of mens rea required for a particular offence
Misapplying the rules of omissions in actus reus
Incorrectly identifying strict liability offences
Confusing the rules for voluntary and involuntary intoxication
Failing to distinguish between insane and non-insane automatism
Misapplying the rules of self-defence in relation to the amount of force used
Confusing duress with the defence of necessity
Students often think that all crimes require intent (mens rea), but some offences are strict liability, where no mens rea is needed (e.g., speeding).
Many believe that a contract must be in writing to be enforceable, but oral contracts are generally valid except for specific types like land sales.
A common error is assuming that the literal rule is always used; in practice, judges often apply the mischief rule to avoid absurd outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions students ask about this topic

Before You Start

Prior knowledge that will help with this topic

•The English Legal System: Understanding court hierarchy and the doctrine of precedent.
•Law Making: Knowledge of how statutes are created and interpreted.
•Criminal Law Basics: Familiarity with elements of a crime and defences.

Likely Command Words

How questions on this topic are typically asked

Analyse

Evaluate

Discuss

Explain

Apply

Assess

To what extent

Ready to test yourself?

Practice questions tailored to this topic

The Practice of Substantive Law

Subtopics in this area

Topic Overview

Key Concepts

What You Need to Demonstrate

Marking Points

Examiner Tips

Common Mistakes

Frequently Asked Questions

Before You Start

Likely Command Words

Ready to test yourself?

Related Topics in WJEC A-Level Law

The Nature of Law and the Welsh and English Legal Systems

The Nature of Law and the Welsh and English Legal Systems

Substantive Law Perspectives

The Nature of Law and the Welsh and English Legal Systems

How to Revise The Practice of Substantive Law — WJEC A-Level Law

Examiner Tips for The Practice of Substantive Law

Common Mistakes in The Practice of Substantive Law

Key Marking Points

The Practice of Substantive Law

Subtopics in this area

Topic Overview

Key Concepts

What You Need to Demonstrate

Marking Points

Examiner Tips

Common Mistakes

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between substantive law and procedural law?

How do I answer a problem question in law exams?

What is the significance of Donoghue v Stevenson?

How do judges interpret statutes?

What is strict liability in criminal law?

How does precedent work in UK courts?

Before You Start

Likely Command Words

Ready to test yourself?

Related Topics in WJEC A-Level Law

The Nature of Law and the Welsh and English Legal Systems

The Nature of Law and the Welsh and English Legal Systems

Substantive Law Perspectives

The Nature of Law and the Welsh and English Legal Systems