Interactive

Learner Guide

Cambridge International AS & A Level

Law 9084

For examination from 2023

Copyright © UCLES 2021 (updated October 2023)
Cambridge Assessment International Education is part of the Cambridge Assessment Group. Cambridge Assessment is
the brand name of the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES), which itself is a department of the
University of Cambridge.
UCLES retains the copyright on all its publications. Registered Centres are permitted to copy material from this booklet for
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Contents
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 Learner Guide

About this guide

This guide explains what you need to know about your Cambridge International AS & A Level Law 9084 course and
examinations.
This guide will help you to:
9 understand what skills you should develop by taking this Cambridge International AS & A Level course

9 understand how you will be assessed

9 understand what we are looking for in the answers you write

9 plan your revision programme

9 revise, by providing revision tips and an interactive revision checklist (Section 6).

Following a Cambridge International AS & A level programme will help you to develop abilities that universities value highly,
including a deep understanding of your subject; higher order thinking skills (analysis, critical thinking, problem solving);
presenting ordered and coherent arguments and independent learning and research.
Studying Cambridge International AS & A Level Law will help you to develop a set of transferable skills, including the ability
to use relevant knowledge and understanding, to analyse and learn to apply legal concepts, principles and rules to a range
of situations and to communicate an argument through problem-solving and evaluative writing. In particular, studying
Cambridge International AS & A Level Law will help you to be:
confident, using statutes, cases, legal principles, and examples, analysing and applying relevant law, and communicating
logical and evaluative legal arguments
responsible, considering the application of law within the English legal system and working towards a better understanding
of a range of issues which impact on its operation and effectiveness
reflective, considering laws, legal rules, principles and concepts and the ways in which legal issues and problems may be
resolved
innovative, approaching learning and tasks with flexible and substantiated thinking
engaged, developing an interest in broader legal issues and exploring the law changing in response to a range of challenges.

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1. Syllabus content - what you need to know

This section gives you an outline of the syllabus content for this course. There are two papers at AS Level and two at A Level.

Paper 1 English Legal System (AS Level) Topics included

1.1 Principles and sources of English Law 1.1.1 English legal system and its context
1.1.2 Parliamentary law making
1.1.3 Delegated legislation
1.1.4 Statutory interpretation
1.1.5 Judicial precedent
1.2 Machinery of justice 1.2.1 Civil courts and civil process
1.2.2 Alternative methods of dispute resolution
1.2.3 Criminal courts and criminal process
1.2.4 Police powers
1.3 Legal personnel 1.3.1 The judiciary – superior and inferior judges
1.3.2 Legal professionals
1.3.3 Lay personnel

Paper 2 Criminal Law (AS Level) Topics included

2.1 Elements of a crime 2.1.1 Actus reus

2.1.2 Mens rea
2.2 Offences against property 2.2.1 Theft as defined in s1 Theft Act 1968
2.2.2 Robbery as defined in s8 Theft Act 1968
2.2.3 Burglary as defined in s9 Theft Act 1968
2.2.4 Blackmail as defined in s21 Theft Act 1968
2.2.5 Handling stolen goods as defined in s22 Theft Act 1968
2.2.6 Making off without payment as defined in s3 Theft Act 1978
2.2.7 Criminal damage as defined in Criminal Damage Act 1971
2.2.8 Fraud as defined in the Fraud Act 2006
2.3 Sentencing in England and Wales 2.3.1 Adult offenders
2.3.2 Young offenders
2.3.3 Aims of sentencing – what sentences are trying to achieve

Paper 3 Law of Contract (A Level) Topics included

3.1 Formation of a valid contract 3.1.1 Nature of a contract

3.1.2 Offer and acceptance
3.1.3 Intention to create legal relations
3.1.4 Consideration
3.1.5 Capacity (minors only)
3.2 Contents of a contract 3.2.1 Express terms
3.2.2 Terms implied into a consumer contract by the Consumer
3.2.3 Rights Act 2015 Status of terms
3.2.4 Control of exemption clauses

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Paper 3 Law of Contract (A Level) Topics included

3.3 Discharge of a contract 3.3.1 Performance

3.3.2 Breach
3.3.3 Frustration
3.4 Remedies for breach of a contract 3.4.1 Common law
3.4.2 Equitable

Paper 4 Law of Tort (A Level) Topics included

4.1 The tort of negligence 4.1.1 Nature of liability in negligence

4.1.2 Duty of care
4.1.3 Breach of duty
4.1.4 Causation and remoteness of damage
4.1.5 Novel duty situations
4.2 Torts affecting land 4.2.1 Occupiers’ liability
4.2.2 Private nuisance
4.2.3 Rylands v Fletcher
4.2.4 Trespass to land
4.3 Torts affecting the person 4.3.1 Assault
4.3.2 Battery
4.3.3 False imprisonment
4.4 General defences and remedies 4.4.1 Defences
4.4.2 Remedies
Make sure you always check the latest syllabus, which is available from our public website.

Prior knowledge
No prior knowledge is assumed.

Key concepts
Key concepts are essential ideas that help you to develop a deep understanding of your subject and make links between
different aspects of the course. The key concepts for Cambridge International AS & A Level Law are:
• Rights, duties and responsibilities, and freedoms
This is about how the law safeguards rights and freedoms, and imposes obligations on how citizens behave.
• Liability
This is the notion of legal responsibility for actions or omissions.
• Justice, fairness and morality
This is a broad notion of the purpose of law to bring about a state of fairness. This includes how and why laws are enacted
and enforced, and how far the civil and criminal law achieve justice through the use of remedies and sentences. This also
relates to how morality and the law interlink and whether changing morality within society is reflected in the law.
• Power and its limits
This is about who has power within society and how this power is regulated. This also relates to power within the legal
system.
• Effectiveness and certainty
This is about the aims of law and whether systems and provisions can meet these aims. This also relates to how citizens
are aware of their rights and responsibilities to each other and to the state, and what distinguishes certainty in law.

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2. How you will be assessed

Cambridge International AS Level Law makes up the first half of the Cambridge International A Lev el Law course and provides
a foundation for the study of Law at Cambridge International A Level.

About the examinations

There are three routes for Cambridge International AS & A Level Law.
Take Paper 1 and Paper 2 only leading to the Cambridge International AS Level qualification.
Follow a staged assessment route by taking Paper 1 and Paper 2 (for the Cambridge International AS Level qualification) in one
examination series, then Paper 3 and Paper 4 (for the Cambridge International A Level qualification) in a later examination
series).
Take Paper 1, Paper 2, Paper 3 and Paper 4 in the same examination series, leading to the full Cambridge International A Level.
Find out from your teacher which papers you will be taking and when you will be taking them.

About the papers

The table gives you further information about the examination papers:

Time and
Component Questions Weighting
marks
Section A: you will need to answer five compulsory questions.
Paper 1: 1 hour 30 There are four short answer questions and one extended answer
50% of AS Level
minutes question.
English Legal
25% of A Level
System 75 marks Section B: you will need to write two essays from a choice of
three. There are two parts to each essay.
Section A: you will need to answer one compulsory scenario-
based problem question using source material. There are three
1 hour 30
Paper 2: parts to the question. 50% of AS Level
minutes
Criminal Law Section B: you will need to answer one question from a choice 25% of A Level
60 marks
of two. There are two parts to the question: one short answer
question and one essay.
Section A: you will need to answer one scenario-based problem
1 hour 30
Paper 3: question from a choice of two.
minutes 25% of A Level
Law of Contract Section B: you will need to write two essays from a choice of
75 marks
three.
Section A: you will need to answer one scenario-based problem
1 hour 30
Paper 4: question from a choice of two.
minutes 25% of A Level
Law of Tort Section B: you will need to write two essays from a choice of
75 marks
three.

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3. What skills will be assessed

The examiners take account of the following skills areas (assessment objectives) in the examinations:

Assessment objectives (AO) What does the AO mean?

AO1 Knowledge and understanding Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of legal concepts, principles and
rules.
Use statutes, cases, examples and legal terminology.
AO2 Analysis and application Analyse legal concepts, principles and rules.
Apply legal concepts, principles and rules.
AO3 Evaluation Evaluate legal concepts, principles and rules.
Communicate legal argument coherently on the basis of evidence.
It is important that you know the different weightings (%) of the assessment objectives, as this affects how the examiner will
assess your work. The approximate weightings of the assessment objectives (AOs) are summarised below. The table shows the
assessment objectives as a percentage of each component.
Assessment objectives as a percentage of each qualification
Assessment objective Weighting at AS Level % Weighting at A Level %
AO1 Knowledge and understanding 40 45
AO2 Applying knowledge and application 40 30
AO3 Evaluation 20 25
Total 100 100

Assessment objectives as a percentage of each component

Assessment objective Weighting at AS Level % Weighting at A Level %
Paper 1 Paper 2 Paper 3 Paper 4
AO1 Knowledge and understanding 45 35 50 50
AO2 Applying knowledge and application 30 50 20 20
AO3 Evaluation 25 15 30 30
Total 100 100 100 100

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4. Command words
The table below includes command words used in the assessment for this syllabus. The use of the command word will relate
to the subject context.

Command word What it means

Advise write down a suggested course of action in a given situation

Analyse examine in detail to show meaning, identify elements and the relationship between them

Assess make an informed judgement

Compare identify/comment on similarities and/or differences

Contrast identify/comment on differences

Define give precise meaning

Describe state the points of a topic/give characteristics and main features

Discuss write about issue(s) or topic(s) in depth in a structured way

Evaluate judge or calculate the quality, importance, amount, or value of something

Examine investigate closely, in detail

set out purposes or reasons/make the relationships between things evident/provide why and/or
Explain
how and support with relevant evidence
Identify name/select/recognise

Justify support a case with evidence/argument

State express in clear terms

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5. Example candidate response

This section takes you through an example question and candidate response. It will help you to see how to identify the
command words within questions and to understand what is required in your response. Understanding the questions will
help you to know what you need to do with your knowledge. For example, you might need to state something, calculate
something, find something or show something.

All information and advice in this section is specific to the example question and response
being demonstrated. It should give you an idea of how your responses might be viewed by an
examiner but it is not a list of what to do in all questions. In your own examination, you will
need to pay careful attention to what each question is asking you to do.

This section is separated as follows:

Question
Command words have been highlighted and their
meaning explained. This will help you to understand
clearly what is required. For more information go to www.
cambridgeinternational.org/exam-administration/what-to-
expect-on-exams-day/command-words

Example candidate response

This is a sample answer of a middle standard. Points have
been highlighted to show you how to answer a question.

How the answer could have been improved

Here we have suggested possible improvements to the
answer.

Common mistakes
We have highlighted some typical errors which candidates
may make when attempting this question

General advice
These tips will help you to answer questions in general.

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Question
This is the question for Paper 2 Section A Question 1 (a–c)

Section A
Answer Question 1(a), (b) and (c) using only the source material provided.

1 (a) Anwar is in a lot of debt and he asks his wealthy employer, Karinna, for a loan but
she refuses to help him. That night, when Karinna has left the office where she and
Anwar work he sees a diamond ring on her desk. He steals the ring and takes it to
a shop where it is valued at £120 000. Anwar sells the ring and clears his debts.
The ring was all Karinna had to remind her of her mother, who died when she was
a child. Anwar is convicted of theft.
Explain how the Sentencing Council Guidelines will apply to Anwar. [10]
(b) Femi is targeted by a local street gang and told to pay them £500 or he will be
beaten up. Femi is scared and as he is walking home he sees Sam on his mobile
phone. Femi runs up to Sam and steals his mobile phone. Femi sells the phone
but it is only worth £200. Sam needed to use his phone for important business
calls and he now feels scared when walking in open spaces.
Explain how the Sentencing Council Guidelines will apply to Femi. [10]
(c) Carly is part of a group who decide to steal a prize winning dog. The dog belongs
to Paul, who lives alone since his wife died a year ago. They make a plan that
Carly will invite Paul round to her house for tea whilst others in the group steal the
dog from Paul’s house. The plan succeeds and the dog is sold for £1500. Paul is
so upset that he has to have a week off work as the dog was a birthday gift from
his wife. Carly and the others in the group are all convicted of theft.
Explain how the Sentencing Council Guidelines will apply to Carly. [10]

Explain This means to identify the relevant pieces

of the source material and then apply them to
reach a conclusion in terms of how the Sentencing
Council Guidelines will apply in each of parts a – c.

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Example candidate response

Example Candidate Response Examiner comments

This identifies the correct offence

category and there is evidence of
application as there is reference to a
lack of planning.

This is a link to the value of the

ring although it cannot be measured in
monetary terms.

A link to financial value.

Lesser culpability is identified
but this is not appropriate given the
scenario facts.

A limited conclusion.

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Example Candidate Response Examiner comments

Some identification of Category

C is given and application of why the
offence is one of lesser culpability.

Here is application of
three factors relating to harm:
inconvenience, loss to Sam's business
and fear.
Here is a specific link to loss
of confidence using the facts of the
scenario.
Clear identification of Category
4 and application by linking it to the
value of the mobile phone.
A clear link to the potential level
of sentence.
A clear conclusion that Femi is
guilty.

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Example Candidate Response Examiner comments

Clear identification of Category

B and application using the scenario
facts to explain why this was chosen.
Here is linked application as
there is evidence of some planning.
A clear link to two types of harm:
the value of the dog and additional
harm.

Some more detailed application

on the emotional distress Paul has
suffered.
A correct identification of a
Category 3 offence.

A limited conclusion.

Examiner comments
Part (a) – the candidate identifies and uses the levels of culpability to apply the law to Anwar by saying that there is little
evidence of planning in his actions. Some application is credited as they say that the ring is of substantial value and they
make the point that this is based on more than monetary worth. There is more application where they specifically link to the
financial value of the ring.
Part (b) – there is clear identification of the correct level of culpability and this choice is explained by application of the fact
that Femi had been intimidated by the gang into stealing the phone. There is also identification and application of harm
related to the inconvenience, financial harm and fear Sam suffers. Identification of a Category 4 offence is valid as it is clearly
linked to the value of the phone. A clear conclusion is reached as to the likely level of sentencing.
Part (c) – there is clear identification of an appropriate level of culpability and this is explained by application of the fact that
Carly is playing a significant role in the theft of Paul’s dog. There is also application in the reference to the fact that Carly has
been involved in planning the theft. There is identification and application of the harm criteria as there is reference to the fact
that Paul suffers emotional distress. There is correct identification of a Category 3 offence but this is linked to an inappropriate
sentencing range.

How the answer could have been improved

Overall, this is typical of a response that would gain a middle-range mark.
Part (a) – this is a Level 1 response for AO1 and Level 3 for AO2. The category of the offence could have been specifically
identified, although there is an implicit link through the use of the value of the ring. The information in the scenario indicates
that a higher level of culpability would have been more appropriate given the fact that Anwar stole from his employer and
so he had breached a high level of trust. Using the information in the source material based on the category of the offence
and level of culpability is seems likely that Anwar would have been given a sentence higher up the scale than indicated in this
response.
Part (b) – this is a Level 2 response for AO1 and Level 4 for AO2. It would have been helpful to pick up on the fact that the
theft was opportunistic and to indicate where in the sentencing range Femi might be placed.

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Part (c) – this is a Level 2 response for AO1 and Level 3 for AO2. It would have been helpful to have clearer application for the
Category 3 offence and accurate linking to the likely sentencing range. With reference to the level of culpability there could
have been application that there was a breach of trust as Carly made friends with Paul and the offence would not have been
possible without her.

Common mistakes
The most common mistakes learners make are:
• Rewriting the question – this takes time and does not attract any marks.
• Writing out the source material – this takes time and it is usually enough to reference the element of the source material
being used. Sometimes it might be helpful to include a few key words or a phrase from the source but the marks come
from accurate and relevant identification of law which is then applied.
• Being vague in references to the source material – as the learner has the source material in the examination, references
made should be accurate; for example if the source is an Act it is best to give the appropriate section and any subsections
that are relevant so it is clear to the examiner that the learner has made a precise and accurate selection which they then
apply.
• Not having a conclusion or having one which is vague. A learner who has accurately selected and applied relevant law
should be able to reach a definitive conclusion. It is better to use a phrase such as, ‘Fred will be guilty because…’ rather
than ‘Fred might be guilty because...’

General advice
In order to answer this type of question well:
• Always read all parts of the question carefully, noticing the command words and key instructions. You may want to
underline or highlight them to help you remember to refer back to them.
• Once you have read the question it is helpful to pause and to think about which aspects of the source material are
relevant. Make a note of them and be aware that it is very unlikely you will be using the same part of the source material
over and over again. If you can see you are doing that stop and check before you write your answer.
• Use the law in the source material to help you resolve the situation in the scenario. This means selecting the most
appropriate part of the source material and applying it. It is important to refer to the relevant law, however there is no
need to write it out in your answer.
• Spread your time equally across all three parts of the question as each part is worth the same number of marks.
• Remember that most of the marks are for your skill in applying the relevant law to the facts. Also remember to reach
a conclusion based on the source material, especially if this is what the question asks you to do. Be confident in your
conclusion; rather than saying, ‘the defendant may be guilty’ say, ‘the law as given in the source material states the
defendant will or will not be guilty’. In some questions the source material will include information about sentencing and if
this is the case use that as an element of your application.
• If you have had a good attempt at a question and still not managed to finish it, it is best to move on to another question
and come back to it later.
• Try to keep a few minutes at the end of the examination to check your work so your answers are your very best work.

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6. Revision
This advice will help you revise and prepare for the examinations. It is divided into general advice and specific advice for each
of the papers.
Use the tick boxes to keep a record of what you have done, what you plan to do or what you understand.

General advice
Before the examination
Plan ahead by finding out when the examinations are and make a revision timetable so you have plenty of time to revise
and consolidate each topic, as well as keeping some time to do other things you enjoy.
Be honest in terms of how long you can work for and make a revision timetable you can keep to. Revise small sections of
the syllabus at a time and test yourself before you move on.
Start making your revision notes early, ideally as you get to the end of each topic. You can reduce them further as you get
closer to the examinations but they will give you a basis to start from. Beginning this process early also gives you chance
to refine the type of revision that works for you.
As the examinations get closer make sure you know how long each examination is and how many questions you have to
answer.
Check that you understand the meaning of the command words used in questions and think about how you would
respond to each of them. You can find these on page 27 in the syllabus.
Once you have consolidated your factual knowledge get someone to test you – a revision buddy or a family member
can be really helpful. Explain what you know to help you put information and ideas into your own words. Then practise
putting what you know down on paper. Build your confidence by practising questions on each of the topics.
Look at specimen assessment material and past paper questions so you become familiar with the format of each
examination paper.
Use these questions to practise your writing skills and complete them under timed conditions so you get used to the
length of an examination and how to allocate your rime between questions.
Look at mark schemes to help you to understand how the marks are awarded for each question and the assessment
objectives relevant to the question. Detail on what the assessment objectives mean are in the syllabus. Ask your teacher if
you can see the reports published by the examiners which can provide helpful information.
Revise steadily and methodically and do not leave everything to the last minute.

During the examination

Read the instructions carefully and answer the correct number of questions.
If there are optional questions read all the questions carefully and then make your selection. Write a few key notes for
each question so that when you come back to make your plan you have something to work from.
Check the number of marks for each question or part question. This helps you to judge how long you should spend on
each response and have time at the end to check your work.
Answer the questions in the order you prefer – for example in Paper 3 and Paper 4 you may prefer to answer the scenario
questions before you write any essays. This is perfectly acceptable but number your questions clearly to help the
examiner.
Read each question very carefully. Misreading a question can cost you marks:
• Identify the command words – underline or highlight them and think about what they mean.
• Identify other key words and factual information if it is appropriate and underline or highlight that too.
• Make a short plan in note form and make sure it links to the question.
Before you start to write your answer take a moment to think – ‘Am I answering the question?’
Try not to have crossings out or arrows or stars to new parts of an answer – making a plan will help with this. If you do
need to add in extra material make it very clear where the examiner can find it.

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Try to keep a few minutes at the end of the examination to check through your work. Read through what you have written
slowly and silently so you know what you have actually written rather than what you think you have said.
If you run short of time use bullet points in the last five minutes.
Make your writing as neat as possible so the examiner can read what you have written easily.

Advice for Paper 1

In Section A you have to answer all questions so make sure your revision is broad enough to deal with any questions that
are asked.
In Section B you must answer two of the three questions – this means part (a) and (b) for each question you choose.
Highlight the command words so that you structure your answer correctly.
Highlight other key information and make a short plan so that you include your material in the correct part of the
question.
Read the part (b) questions carefully so you answer exactly the question you have been asked.

Advice for Paper 2

In Section A Question 1 use only the source material you have been given. Highlight key information in the scenario and
work out the most relevant law in each part before you begin your answer as you are unlikely to keep using the same law.
Identify the relevant law in your answer and apply it clearly to the scenario facts. There is no need to write out the source
material – an accurate reference to the section, subsection and case is enough.
Reach a clearly explained conclusion based on your application.
In Section B you must answer both parts of either Question 2 or Question 3 – you cannot mix and match. Check that you
can write a good answer to part (b) before you make your final choice as that question is worth 25 marks.
In your part (a) answer you need to make 5 points that show your knowledge and understanding. In your part (b) answer
highlight the key words in the question to make sure you give the correct information and respond to the command word
which has been used.

Advice for Paper 3 and Paper 4

In Section A you must answer one question from a choice of two. Read each question carefully to make sure you choose
the one where you can give the best answer.
Once you have made your selection, highlight the key pieces of information which will help you apply the law accurately.
Plan your answer so you are sure what you write is relevant to the question you have been asked. Take note of the
command work in the question and make sure you deal with all aspects of what you have been asked to do.
In Section B you must answer two questions for a choice of three. Make sure your revision is broad enough to cover the
range of topics which can be examined.
Take note of the command work in the question and structure your response accordingly.
Plan your answer so that it is structured and easy to read.

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Revision checklists
In the next part of this guide we have provided some revision checklists. These include information from the syllabus that you should revise. They don’t contain all the detailed knowledge
you need to know, just an overview. For more detail see the syllabus and talk to your teacher.
The table headings are explained below:

Topic You should be able to R A G Comments

Here is a list of the Content in the syllabus you need to cover You can use the tick boxes to show when you have revised You can:
topics you need an item and how confident you feel about it.
• add more information about the details for
to cover and work
R = RED means you are really unsure and lack confidence; each point
through.
you might want to focus your revision here and possibly • add notes
talk to your teacher for help
• include a reference to a useful website and
A = AMBER means you are reasonably confident but need other resources
some extra practice • highlight areas of difficulty or things that
G = GREEN means you are very confident. you need to talk to your teacher about or
look up in a textbook.
As your revision progresses, you can concentrate on the
RED and AMBER items in order to turn them into GREEN
items. You might find it helpful to highlight each topic in
red, orange or green to help you prioritise.
Note: the tables below cannot contain absolutely everything you need to know, but it does use examples wherever it can.

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Paper 1 English Legal System

Topic You should be able to R A G Comments
Principles and sources of Use key terms to explain how legal systems work.
English law
Understand the role of law and its underlying principles.

Describe the procedure for making law.

Explain parliamentary supremacy in theory and practice.

Understand the different sources of parliamentary law making.

Evaluate parliamentary law making.

Describe and explain the types of delegated legislation.

Describe and explain the controls on delegated legislation.

Evaluate delegated legislation.

Describe and explain the rules and approaches in statutory interpretation.

Describe and explain the rules of language, intrinsic and extrinsic aids.

Understand the impact of EU law and the HRA1998.

Evaluate statutory interpretation.

Describe and explain ratio decidendi, obiter dicta and law reporting.

Describe and explain binding, original and persuasive precedents.

Describe and explain the hierarchy of the courts and their role.

Describe and explain avoidance techniques in precedent.

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Topic You should be able to answer the following questions R A G Comments

Evaluate precedent.

Machinery of Justice Describe and explain the role and jurisdiction of civil courts.

Describe and explain pre-trial procedures and allocation of civil cases.

Describe and explain civil appeals.

Evaluate civil courts.

Describe and explain ADR – negotiation, conciliation, mediation and arbitration.

Evaluate ADR.

Describe and explain the role and jurisdiction of criminal trial courts.

Describe and explain the classification of criminal offences and pre-trial

processes.
Describe and explain criminal appeals.

Evaluate criminal courts, procedure and appeals.

Describe and explain police bail – PACE 1984, CJPOA1994.

Describe and explain bail from the court – Bail Act 1976.

Describe and explain factors and conditions for bail.

Evaluate bail.

Describe and explain police powers of stop and search – PACE 1984, Misuse of
Drugs Act 1971, Terrorism Act 2000, Code A.
Describe and explain police powers of arrest – PACE 1984, SOCPA 2005, Code G.

Describe and explain police powers of detention of suspects at police stations –

PACE 1984, Codes C, E and F.

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Topic You should be able to answer the following questions R A G Comments

Describe and explain police powers of treatment of suspects at police stations –
PACE 1984, Code C.
Describe and explain impact of the breach of these rules – PACE 1984.

Evaluate police powers.

Legal personnel Describe and explain the qualifications, selection and appointment, role,
training, retirement and removal for superior and inferior judges.
Describe and explain the independence of the judiciary.

Evaluate the judiciary.

Describe and explain the qualification, training, role and regulation of barristers.

Describe and explain the qualification, training, role and regulation of solicitors.

Describe and explain the qualification, training, role and regulation of legal
executives.
Evaluate the legal professions.

Describe and explain the qualifications, selection and appointment, training and
role of lay magistrates in civil and criminal cases.
Describe and explain the qualifications, vetting, challenges and role of jurors in
criminal trials and alternatives to juries.
Evaluate lay people in the law.

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Paper 2 Criminal Law

Topic You should be able to R A G Comments
Elements of crime Describe and explain actus reus by conduct and omission.

Describe and explain causation in actus reus.

Describe and explain mens rea – intention and recklessness.

Evaluate elements of a crime.

Offences against property Describe and explain theft – s1 – s7 Theft Act 1968.

Describe and explain robbery – s8 Theft Act 1968.

Describe and explain burglary – s9 and s10 Theft Act 1968.

Describe and explain blackmail – s21 Theft Act 1968.

Describe and explain handling stolen goods – s22 Theft Act 1968.

Describe and explain making off without payment – s3 Theft Act 1978.

Describe and explain criminal damage – s1 – s5 Criminal Damage Act 1971.

Describe and explain fraud by false representation – s2 Fraud Act 2006.

Describe and explain fraud by failing to disclose information – s3 Fraud Act

2006.
Describe and explain fraud by abuse of position – s6 Fraud Act 2006.

Describe and explain obtaining services dishonestly – s11 Fraud Act 2006.

Evaluate property offences.

Sentencing Describe and explain types of sentences for adults.

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 Learner Guide

Topic You should be able to R A G Comments

Describe and explain factors in sentencing for adults.

Describe and explain types of sentence for young offenders.

Describe and explain factors in sentencing for young offenders.

Evaluate types of sentencing and factors.

Describe and explain aims of sentencing for adult offenders.

Describe and explain aims of sentencing for young offenders.

Evaluate aims of sentencing.

Paper 3 Law of Contract

Topic You should be able to R A G Comments
Formation of a valid contract Understand the nature of a contract.

Describe and explain offer and acceptance.

Describe and explain intention to create legal relations.

Describe and explain consideration.

Describe and explain capacity (minors only).

Evaluate each aspect involved in the formation of a contract.

Contents of a contract Describe and explain the distinction between representations and express terms
and their importance.
Describe and explain written terms – incorporation by signature and the parole
evidence rule.
Describe and explain terms implied into a consumer contract by the CRA 2015 –
s9, s10, s11, s20, s22, s23, s24, s49, s52, s55, s56.

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Learner Guide

Topic You should be able to R A G Comments

Describe and explain the status, nature and effect of breach of conditions,
warranties and innominate terms.
Describe and explain common law control of exemption clauses.

Describe and explain statutory controls of exemption clauses in UCTA 1977 –

s1(3), s2, s3, s11; CRA 2015 – s2, s31, s57, s62, s65, s68.
Evaluate each aspect of the contents of a contract.

Discharge of a contract Describe and explain the entire or strict performance rule.

Describe and explain the exceptions to this rule.

Describe and explain breach and anticipatory breach.

Describe and explain the types of frustrating event.

Describe and explain the limitations on frustration.

Describe and explain the effect of frustration at common law and under the Law
Reform (Frustrated Contracts) Act 1943, s1(2) and s1(3).
Evaluate each aspect of discharging a contract.

Remedies for breach of a Describe and explain the remedy of damages at common law.
contract
Evaluation of the use of damages as a remedy.

Describe and explain the purpose and nature of equitable remedies and the
limitations on their award in contract law.
Evaluation of the use of equitable remedies.

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 Learner Guide

Paper 4 Law of Tort

Topic You should be able to answer the following questions R A G Comments

Tort of negligence Describe and explain the nature of liability in negligence – personal, vicarious (in
outline only) and joint.
Describe and explain the duty of care.

Describe and explain breach of duty.

Describe and explain factual and legal causation, multiple causes and intervening
acts.
Describe and explain the test for remoteness of damage.

Describe and explain novel duty situations – pure economic loss, negligent
misstatement and nervous shock.
Evaluate negligence.

Torts affecting land Describe and explain liability to lawful visitors in OLA 1957.

Describe and explain liability to unlawful visitors in OLA 1984.

Describe and explain private nuisance and its defences.

Describe and explain Rylands v Fletcher.

Describe and explain trespass to land.

Evaluate torts affecting land.

Torts affecting the person Describe and explain assault.

Describe and explain battery.

Describe and explain false imprisonment.

Evaluate torts affecting the person.

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Learner Guide

Topic You should be able to answer the following questions R A G Comments

General defences and Describe and explain defence of volenti non fit injuria (consent).
remedies
Describe and explain defence of contributory negligence.

Describe and explain defences of inevitable accident, Act of God, statutory

authority, illegality and necessity.
Evaluate general defences.

Describe and explain the common law remedy of damages.

Evaluate the common law remedy of damages.

Describe and explain the equitable remedy of injunctions.

Evaluation of the use of injunctions in tort.

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 Learner Guide

7. Useful websites
The websites listed below are useful resources to help you study for your Cambridge International AS and A Level Law.
Cambridge Assessment International Education is not responsible for the accuracy or content of information contained in
these sites. The inclusion of a link to an external website should not be understood to be an endorsement of that website or
the site's owners (or their products/services).
The website pages referenced in this guide of work were selected when the guide was produced. Other aspects of the sites
were not checked and only the particular resources are recommended.
www.bbc.co.uk
www.guardian.co.uk
These websites contain general news and articles about law and legal issues.

Paper 1 English Legal System

www.parliament.uk/
https://hansard.parliament.uk/
These websites contain information about law making and interpretation.

www.judiciary.uk/about-the-judiciary/the-justice-system/jurisdictions/civil-jurisdiction/
www.gov.uk/courts
These websites contain information about civil and criminal courts.

Your rights and the law - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

This website contains information about police powers.

www.judiciary.uk/
www.lawsociety.org.uk/
www.barcouncil.org.uk/
www.cilex.org.uk/
These websites contain information about judges and legal professionals.

www.magistrates-association.org.uk/about-magistrates
www.cps.gov.uk/legal-guidance/juror-misconduct-offences
These websites contain information about lay people in the law.

Paper 2 Criminal Law

www.legislation.gov.uk
www.e-lawresources.co.uk/
These websites contain information about offences against property.

www.sentencingcouncil.org.uk/
www.ybtj.justice.gov.uk/
www.judiciary.uk/you-and-the-judiciary/sentencing/
These websites contain information about sentencing.

Paper 3 Law of Contract and Paper 4 Law of Tort

www.legislation.gov.uk
www.e-lawresources.co.uk/
These websites contain information about legislation.

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