Eduqas A-Level Law (A150): how the three components, the English legal system, law making, tort, criminal law and contract fit together

Eduqas A-Level Law (specification A150) is a three-component course covering the substantive and procedural law of England and Wales. There is no coursework: the whole A-level is assessed by three written exams sat at the end of the two-year course. This page explains how the components fit together, what each one tests, and how this site is organised so you can find every topic and the exam skills that win marks.

The three components

Component 1: The Nature of Law and the English Legal System

A 1 hour 30 minute, 50-mark paper worth 25 per cent of the A-level. It covers the nature of law and the rule of law, law making (parliamentary law making, delegated legislation, statutory interpretation and judicial precedent), the civil and criminal courts, the judiciary, legal personnel (barristers, solicitors and legal executives), lay people (magistrates and juries), and access to justice and funding. The paper mixes short explain questions, a scenario question and an evaluation question.

Component 2: Substantive Law in Practice

A 2 hours 15 minute, 75-mark paper worth 37.5 per cent. You study three substantive areas chosen from the law of contract, the law of tort, criminal law and human rights law, and answer one scenario question worth 25 marks in each of the three sections. The skill is applying the law to a set of facts (AO2) using authority.

Component 3: Perspectives of Substantive Law

A 2 hours 15 minute, 75-mark paper worth 37.5 per cent, built on the same three areas as Component 2. You answer one evaluation essay worth 25 marks in each of the three sections. The skill is analysing and evaluating the law critically (AO3) and reaching a reasoned judgement.

This site covers the law of tort, criminal law and the law of contract, which together satisfy the requirement to study at least one public and one private area.

The three assessment objectives

• AO1 (40%). Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of legal rules, principles and concepts. This is the recall layer: the right statute, the right case, the right definition.
• AO2 (30%). Apply legal rules and principles to given factual situations. This is the scenario skill: taking a set of facts and reaching a reasoned legal conclusion using authority. It is examined mainly in Component 2.
• AO3 (30%). Analyse and evaluate legal rules, principles, concepts and issues. This is the evaluation skill: weighing the strengths and weaknesses of an area of law and reaching a judgement. It is examined mainly in Component 3.

Because AO2 and AO3 together carry 60 per cent, knowledge on its own is never enough. The marks are won by applying the law to the facts and by evaluating it critically.

How Eduqas Law is examined

• Component 1 questions. Short explain questions (around 5 marks each, AO1) test precise knowledge; a scenario question (around 15 marks, AO2) applies the law to facts; an essay or analysis question (around 15 marks, AO3) evaluates an area such as the merits of the jury system.
• Component 2 scenario questions (AO2). A factual problem ("Advise...", "Discuss the liability of...") on which you identify the issue, state the relevant law with authority, apply it to the facts, and reach a conclusion. Each is worth 25 marks, split roughly 10 AO1 and 15 AO2.
• Component 3 evaluation essays (AO3). An open question ("Analyse and evaluate...", "Discuss the extent to which...") on which you build a critical argument with examples and reach a reasoned judgement. Each is worth 25 marks, split roughly 10 AO1 and 15 AO3.

The topics on this site

This site covers every A150 component plus the exam skills shared between them:

• The nature of law and the English legal system: the nature of law and the rule of law, the civil courts and ADR, the criminal courts and appeals, the judiciary, legal personnel, lay people, and access to justice and funding.
• Law making: parliamentary law making, delegated legislation, statutory interpretation, judicial precedent, and law reform.
• The law of tort: negligence, occupiers liability, nuisance and Rylands v Fletcher, vicarious liability, and defences and remedies.
• Criminal law: the elements of liability, the fatal and non-fatal offences, property offences, and the general defences.
• The law of contract: formation, terms, vitiating factors, discharge, and remedies.
• Legal skills and method: the scenario application question, the evaluation essay, and using cases and statutes accurately.