Applied Law

Unit 1 Dispute Solving in Civil Law

Unit 2 Investigating Aspects of Criminal Law and the Legal System

Unit 3 Applying the Law 

Unit 4 Aspects of Family Law 

The course includes 4 units, allowing students to learn about different areas of law and develop their academic skills.

Unit 1 relates to a civil area of law. We all need to be aware of how civil disputes are settled and where to seek advice when things go wrong. This unit uses the law of negligence and the way in which claims, such as damage or losses resulting from a car crash or causing injury to another person, are dealt with in English law. In this unit, you will learn about the courts that deal with civil law disputes, in addition to alternative methods of resolution. The basic principles of the law of negligence are considered and applied, together with sources of advice, funding, resolution and remedies. You will develop legal skills in research and will use these research skills to investigate the way in which the law is applied. You will learn how to reference legal sources and how to communicate professionally with colleagues and clients.

Unit 2 involves a criminal area of law alongside procedural parts of our legal system. Everyone has to live and operate within the law; punishments can be imposed for breach of the law. This unit will enable you to understand how laws are made and used, particularly criminal laws, and where advice on those laws can be obtained. In this unit, you will develop the skills to investigate and research how different laws are made both inside and outside Parliament and then interpreted in courts. You will use these research skills to investigate the way in which the law is developed and applied. You will investigate who decides the outcome of criminal cases and where advice and representation can be obtained and how it can be paid for. You will apply and present this information professionally to clients with the aid of non-fatal offence (e.g. assault or GBH) case studies.  This unit will give you an understanding of the way the criminal justice system works in the United Kingdom.

Unit 3 focuses on examining the law related to specific crimes, including homicide and offences against property. You will explore the police procedures for dealing with such offences. Crime has an enormous impact on society and particularly on those directly involved in a case.  In this unit, you will be encouraged to consider the impact and consequences of crime. You will examine homicide offences, including murder, voluntary manslaughter and involuntary manslaughter. You will examine crimes against property such as theft, robbery and burglary.  You will also examine the law relating to arrest, detention and searching people and property. Criminal law applies to everyone and it is important that you keep up to date with changes in the law. In this unit, you will examine case law relating to real-life crimes. You will need to be aware of specific Acts of Parliament that relate to criminal offences and police procedures. You will develop problem-solving skills and legal research skills. You will use these research skills to investigate the way in which the law is developed and applied. You will have the opportunity to apply the relevant law to a scenario involving a crime. You will develop your decision-making and communication skills, as you may have to decide how to advise clients or how the police should respond to a particular situation.

Unit 4 is an optional unit where we have chosen to look at family law. Family law is an area of law that deals with some of the most important and sensitive aspects of our lives, with the courts mainly getting involved only when there are disputes that need to be resolved. This unit will give you an understanding of the laws governing parenthood and parental responsibility and will examine how the courts resolve disputes regarding children. There are various legal regulations governing our family lives and the formation of adult relationships. This unit will enable you to understand the distinction between marriage and cohabitation and their legal consequences. You will examine the key requirements for the formation of a valid marriage and civil partnership and how these relationships may become either void or voidable. You will investigate how individuals may terminate their adult relationships and the financial consequences of a relationship breakdown.

Problem solving skills, Negotiation skills, Presentation skills, Ability to work under pressure, Extended writing to a time constraint, Revision and retrieval, Organisation, Time management, Being analytical and evaluative, Using legal authority to determine liability, Debating skills, Ability to lead, Communication- Written and verbal, Balancing coursework and exams, IT literate, Ability to research, preparation for assessment methods used in degrees, Confidence, Referencing.

The Applied law course is designed to be taken as part of a programme of study that includes other appropriate BTEC Nationals or A Levels.  It provides the basis of an excellent route for learners to pursue a career in the legal sector. This can be through higher education (degrees in Law, or combined law degree e.g. law with policing/law with a modern foreign language/law with accounting, business and law etc.) or through an Advanced Apprenticeship in Legal Services.

Solicitor, Barrister, Paralegal/legal executive, Police officer/ Detective, Probation officer, Judge, Work in courts (Usher, court clerk, admin jobs), Arbitrator/negotiator/mediator

Border force officer, Civil Service administrator, Company secretary, Licensed Conveyancer, Advice worker, Journalist, Human Resources officer, Teacher

4 units of which 2 are internal (coursework) equating to 42% of the course and 2 are external (controlled assessment/examination) which equate to 58% of the course.

All internal and external assessment are typed. For internal assessments students could be given opportunities to write up the findings of their own research, use case studies to explore complex or unfamiliar situations and demonstrate practical and communication skills using appropriate presentations and role play to complete the set assessments. External assessments include a period of preparation using set information provided by the exam board before a typed examination is undertaken using 2 sides of notes students produce from their preparation.

Magistrates & Crown Courts, London (including Parliament and courts such as the Old Bailey and the Royal Courts of Justice), mooting society, debate club.

Guest speakers such as Magistrates, Barristers, Law firms.