Applied Law

Why Choose this course?

It will support entry to many higher education courses, depending on the other qualifications learners have taken. Learners should always check the entry requirements for degree programmes with specific higher education providers. The qualification can also support progression to employment directly or via an Apprenticeship.

The qualification carries UCAS points and if it is taken alongside other qualifications as part of a two-year programme of learning, then it is recognised by higher education providers as contributing to meeting admission requirements for many courses.

Prospects

On the BTEC National units there are opportunities during the teaching and learning phase to give learners practice in developing employability skills. Where employability skills are referred to in this specification, we are generally referring to skills in the following three main categories:

• cognitive and problem-solving skills: use critical thinking, approach non-routine problems applying expert and creative solutions, use systems and technology
• intrapersonal skills: communicating, working collaboratively, negotiating and influencing, self-presentation
• interpersonal skills: self-management, adaptability and resilience, self-monitoring and development.

There are also specific requirements in some units for assessment of these skills where relevant, for example, where learners are required to undertake real or simulated activities.

All BTEC Nationals provide transferable knowledge and skills that prepare learners for progression to higher education. The transferable skills that universities value include:

• the ability to learn independently
• the ability to research actively and methodically
• being able to give presentations and being active group members.

BTEC learners can also benefit from opportunities for deep learning where they are able to make connections among units and select areas of interest for detailed study. BTEC Nationals provide a vocational context in which learners can develop the knowledge and skills required for particular degree courses, including:

• reading legal texts
• effective writing
• research skills
• analytical skills
• creative development
• preparation for assessment methods used in degrees

Course Content

Mandatory units There are three mandatory units that learners must complete, one internal and two external. Learners must complete and achieve at Near Pass grade or above in all mandatory external units and achieve a Pass or above in all mandatory internal units. The three mandatory units are Dispute Solving in Civil Law, Investigating Aspects of Criminal Law and the Legal System and Applying the Law.

Optional units
Learners must complete at least one optional unit. We can choose from Aspects of Family Law, Consumer Law, Contract Law or Aspects of Tort.

External assessment
This is a summary of the type and availability of external assessment, which is of units making up 58% of the total qualification learning hours.

Unit 1: Dispute Solving in Civil 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.
• To complete the assessment task within this unit, you will need to draw on your learning from across your qualification. The legal skills, knowledge and understanding covered in this unit will help you progress to higher education and professional qualifications, either in law or another sector. It will also help you to progress to employment in the legal profession or in other forms of business.
• This unit is assessed by a task set and marked by Pearson and completed under supervised conditions.
• Learners will be given information about a case one week before a supervised assessment period in order to carry out research.
• The supervised assessment period is a maximum of one and a half hours, in one sitting, on a specified date timetabled by Pearson.
• Submission completed using a computer.
• Worth 60 marks and completed in Jan or May/June

Unit 2: Investigating Aspects of Criminal Law and the Legal System (Mandatory)

• 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 case studies.
• This unit will give you an understanding of the way the criminal justice system works in the United Kingdom. It will provide the opportunity to develop decision-making, communication, presentation and critical-thinking skills. These skills will be a good foundation for progression to higher education courses in law, business or any other sector.
• This is assessed by producing coursework with Pass, Merit and Distinction criteria.

Unit 3: Applying the Law (Mandatory)

• 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. You will also develop analytical and critical-thinking skills.
• To complete the assessment task within this unit, you will need to draw on your learning from across your programme. Criminal law is a specialist area of study and the legal skills, knowledge and understanding covered in this unit will help you progress to higher education and professional qualifications, either in law, criminology or criminal justice or another sector. It will also help you to progress to employment in the legal profession or in other forms of business.
• Learners are given information about two cases two weeks before a supervised assessment period in order to carry out research.
• Assessed by a task set and marked by Pearson and completed under supervised conditions.
• The supervised assessment period is a maximum of two hours, in one sitting, on a specified date timetabled by Pearson.
• Worth 72 marks and again sat in either Jan or May/June

Course Opportunities/ Activities

- Visit to Liverpool Crown Court
- Visit by a ACAS adviser
- Visit from a Family solicitor

Student Comment

I have learned so much about the law and how courts work in such a short amount of time, the lessons are interesting engaging, and I can't wait to continue as the school year continues