← Legal Studies syllabus

EnglandLegal Studies

Legal Skills and Application

3 dot points across 3 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

How do you write a high-level extended evaluation essay that analyses, criticises and reaches a reasoned judgement?

The extended evaluation essay (AO3): building a balanced critical argument with examples, weighing strengths and weaknesses, and reaching a reasoned and supported judgement that answers the question.
An OCR A-Level Law guide to the extended evaluation essay. Explains how to build a balanced critical argument, weigh strengths and weaknesses with examples, and reach a reasoned judgement, with a worked plan and the AO3 evaluation the paper rewards across all three components.
14 min answer →

How do you answer a legal problem scenario question, applying the law to the facts to reach a reasoned conclusion?

The legal problem scenario question (AO2): identifying the legal issues, stating the relevant law with authority, applying it to the facts, and reaching a reasoned conclusion using the IRAC or define-apply-conclude structure.
An OCR A-Level Law guide to the legal problem scenario question. Explains how to identify the issues, state the law with authority, apply it to the facts and conclude, using the IRAC structure, with a worked example and the AO2 application the paper rewards across all three components.
15 min answer →

How do you cite cases and statutes accurately and use authority to support legal argument?

Using cases and statutes accurately (AO1 and AO2): citing authority correctly, stating the legal principle a case establishes, and deploying authority to support application and evaluation.
An OCR A-Level Law guide to using cases and statutes accurately. Explains how to cite authority correctly, state the principle a case establishes, and use authority to support application and evaluation, with a worked example and the AO1 and AO2 skills the paper rewards across all three components.
14 min answer →