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Y11 to Year 12 - Introduction to Law

Independent Study Booklet

Summer 2020

Name:

Welcome!

There are a variety of tasks for you to have a go at and explore some of the key ideas and aspects of law

that we will explore during the next couple of years. You can submit this via Showbie for when we start in

September, by email, or bring it with you in the autumn term for a little Law Prize! Mr Kelly and I will be on

email if you would like to ask any further questions, or links aren’t working.

Showbie code for all resources – 7C293

e-mails – kah@bournside.gloucs.sch.uk or lpk@bournside.gloucs.sch.uk

You will also find, at the end, a suggested ‘watch list’ of documentaries and films which are relevant to law

(and some that are just great fun!)

Textbook - Our course is OCR A-level Law. The main textbook for next year is OCR A-level Law by Hodder.

You do not have to purchase it yet, however if you want to, then go ahead as this will be used in almost

every lesson (and in particular for homework!).

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Activities

Look at each of the following activities and then record when you have completed and whether you

understand what you have done using the RAG rating – Red means you DO NOT understand, Amber means

you NEED TO GO OVER AGAIN, but get the basics of this and Green means you FULLY UNDERSTAND the

work.

Task

No.

Outline Completed

Please

date

LPK or KAH Comment on your

response

R A G

1 Specification – have a look

at what we are going to

be doing over the two

years

2 Key Terms – what do these

key terms mean?

3 Pressure Groups –

Dunblane Massacre and

pressure groups

4 Reflection on current

sentencing practice

5 Operation of the Supreme

Court

6 Case study on the

operation of the Criminal

Justice System & Young

Offenders

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7 Evaluation of the Appeals

Process

8 Changing the Law: Double

Jeopardy

9 Case Study: You be the

Judge (Sentencing)

10 Legislation: Produce a

diagram to show the

process through the

House of Commons and

the House of Lords.

11 Extension Activities:

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TASK 1 – The Specification

Look at the OCR Specification using the link below. Look at the structure of the course and what you will be

learning over the next two years. We will be studying Human Rights on the optional paper.

https://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/as-and-a-level/law-h015-h415-from-2017/

Answer the following Questions:-

1. How many examinations will you be taking?

2. How long is each examination?

3. What is the content of each examination?

4. Give an example of something you are looking forward to studying on each of the papers and

explain why.

5. What are the 4 command words you will need to know and what do they mean?

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TASK 2 - Key Terms

Define the following key terms which we will be using in the first terms.

KEY TERM MEANING EXAMPLE

PARLIAMENT

GOVERNMENT

BILL

ACT OF

PARLIAMENT/STATUTE

BARRISTER

SOLICITOR

LAWYER

ACTUS REUS

MENS REA

TORT

NEGLIGENCE

OCCUPIERS LIABILITY

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TASK 3 – Pressure Groups

http://theconversation.com/dunblane-massacre-20-years-on-how-britain-rewrote-its-gun-laws-and-the-

challenge-it-faces-now-55896

https://www.britannica.com/event/Dunblane-school-massacre

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/snowdrop-withers-but-battle-to-curb-guns-lives-on-1259169.html

Dunblane Massacre happened on March 13 1996, in the Scottish town of Dunblane.

Summarise what happened

Was there any motive for the shooting?

The Snowdrop Campaign was established after the massacre. Summarise the aim of the campaign

How successful was the Campaign?

This is an example of a pressure group. What is a pressure group? Can you find another example and attach

to this sheet?

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TASK 4 – Reflections on current sentencing practice

Why do prisoners only serve half their term? (bbc.co.uk)

Using a range of the information on in the source (linked in the title), produce a summary of the current

operation of sentencing in England and Wales in the space below. You may present the information in any

format you like, but it must cover the questions below and must not simply be copy and paste.

What influences

the sentence the

judge hands

down?

What type of

sentences may a

judge hand down?

Why do most

offences offer a

range of options?

How does a judge

decide which tariff

to hand down for

murder?

When are most

offenders released

and what happens

to them?

Challenge: Why do you think that people are often upset or confused by the sentences handed to

offenders?

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Task 5 – Operation of the Supreme Court

What is the UK Supreme Court? (bbc.co.uk)

and watch this documentary available on youtube:

Using a range of the information on in the source, complete each of the information boxes below.

Remember to include relevant legal terminology accurately used.

Make up of the court: What issues do you see With who is on the court (pros and cons)?

Exploring a Case: Pick one of the cases which the article or documentary highlights. Summarise the facts, question and decision by the court. End with a critical comment on your view of the case and decision: Critical Response:

What powers does it have (and what can’t it do?:

Name and Location: Sum up the kind of cases and decisions that it has made over the last years:

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Task 6 operation of the Criminal Justice System & Young Offenders

Sarah Langford: In Your Defence

Langford is a practising defence barrister and wrote this book to highlight some of the key

issues within the law that she saw. It is very readable, and uses 11 cases to illustrate different

issues within the law. Each chapter begins with the ‘action’ of the case, and then switches to

the case and her role and perception of the issues within it.

You are going to read Case 1: Dominic.

Particulars of the first

offence (what happened):

Prior Offending history:

What concerns did Langford have about

representing him in the Magistrates Court?

View of the police:

What was the judgement of the court on the first offence

and why?

Critical Response: how far do you agree with

Langford on the outcome for this first offence?

Particulars of the second

offence (what happened):

What issues surrounding sentencing and remand are raised in this section?

What sentence was handed down to Dominic for this first case and why did that cause issues for both Sarah

and Dominic?

Critical Thinking: How would you address the issues brought up by this chapter?

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Task 7 - Evaluation of the Appeals Process

The Courage of Our Convictions: Appeals

The Secret Barrister is a blogger and practicing Criminal law Barrister. Last year, he collated

a number of issues into a book: Stories of the Law and How It’s Broken. It’s a great read

and very hard hitting – essentially it covers most of what we do in the English Legal

System.

You are going to read Chapter 11. This focuses on appeals, their operation and the consequences of

winning an appeal (it’s not all roses and happiness!) You need to complete the grid in as much detail as you

can.

Impact of prison on offender and their family:

What does he think of the current appeals system

and why?

Do you think he is right to say that to

most people the Court of Appeal is

“everything”?

Case Study: Victor Nealon

Impact of maintaining innocence on sentence:

Facts:

Charge:

Grounds of appeals and outcomes:

Outcomes of appeals:

Issues with compensation:

Key facts and figures on appeals in the

Court of Appeal (including leave):

Bridgewater Four: What issues with the operation

of appeals are brought out by this case and the

enquiries?

What happens to D after a successful appeal?

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Task 8 - Changing the Law: Double Jeopardy

Watch the episode on BBC iPlayer: Catching Britain’s Killers: The Crimes that Changed Us

(Episode 2) Warning: there may be details which are upsetting.

P.S. the other two episodes are excellent as well… take a look!

1. What issue was raised by the case of Donald Hume?

2. What were the facts of the case of Julie Hogg?

3. What evidence was there that Dunlop may have been responsible for it?

4. What did the jury decide at the trial and what impact did this have?

5. What was the aim of the double jeopardy law?

6. What impact did the Stephen Lawrence report (McPherson Inquiry) have on double jeopardy?

7. What further charges did Billy Dunlop face and what was the evidence to support them? What sentence

did he receive?

8. How does this case illustrate lobbying by both individuals and MPs/Peers?

9. What other legal principle would be affected by the change to the law on double jeopardy?

10. Why was Julie Hogg’s mother still apprehensive following the White Paper?

11. What are the criteria for double jeopardy to be set aside?

12. Explain one of the further cases affected by double jeopardy change.

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Task 9 - You Be the Judge

Task: go to: http://ybtj.justice.gov.uk/. You will need sound as you are going to work

through two cases, completing the questions below as you go. Burglary &

Harassment Please note: there are other cases you can have a look at, but these two

you must complete for this task!

Defendant One: Alexander Jackson

What did he do?

What was the plea?

Which court was it heard in and why?

Who determines sentencing for the defendant?

Relevant information from the police officer: Relevant information from the Victim:

Will the fact that the victims were at home at the time of the break-in affect your sentence?

Judge’s response:

Do you think the fact that an item of sentimental value was taken is significant?

Judge’s response:

Yes Not sure No

Yes Not sure No

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Mitigating Factors Aggravating factors

Would a genuine commitment from Alex to come off drugs affect your sentence?

Judge’s response:

What other circumstances might be relevant in sentencing:

Sentence choices:

1. Prison: 2.5 years ( ½ in custody + ½ monitored in the community )

2. Prison: 3.5 years ( ½ in custody + ½ monitored in the community )

3. Prison: 4.5 years ( ½ in custody + ½ monitored in the community )

4. Prison: 6 years ( ½ in custody + ½ monitored in the community )

I would chose option because…

He was actually given option because…

What is the purpose of sentencing Alex? Link to the aims of sentencing – which do you think was

uppermost in the judge’s mind

Yes Not sure No

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Defendant Two: Chris Williams

What did he do?

What was the plea?

Which court was it heard in?

What is the relevant evidence from the victim? Relevant information from the defendant?

Will the fact that Mrs Dixon is elderly influence your sentence?

Judge’s response:

Do you think the fact that Chris was provoked is significant?

Judge’s response:

Yes Not sure No

Yes Not sure No

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Mitigating Factors Aggravating factors

Will the fact that Chris pleaded guilty from the start affect your sentence?

Judge’s response:

Sentence choices:

1. Fine: £300

2. Community sentence: 80 hours unpaid work + £100 compensation + £90 costs

3. Community sentence: 200 hours unpaid work + weekly supervision meetings with a probation officer for

2 years

4. Prison: up to 3 months ( ½ in custody + ½ monitored in the community )

I would chose option because…

He was actually given option because…

What is the purpose of sentencing Alex? Link to the aims of sentencing – which do you think was

uppermost in the Magistrates’ mind.

Yes Not sure No

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Task 10 – Legislation

Legislation is a law or a set of laws that have been passed by Parliament. The word is also used to describe

the act of making a new law.

Research Activities - To start with, look at why we need to pass laws in the England

and Wales and how does this happen? Most laws (start with being called a Bill).

This bill then travels to and from the Houses of Commons, to the Houses of Lords

- both sides making comments before its eventually being agreed upon and

becoming a Law/Act.

Produce a diagram to show the process through the House of Commons and the House of Lords.

https://www.parliament.uk/about/how/laws/new-laws/

https://www.parliament.uk/about/how/laws/

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Researching Law

In a state of emergency (like now - Coronavirus 'The Coronavirus Act') laws needs to be passed quickly.

Sometimes laws can be passed within a couple of days. Laws can also be passed quickly through Delegated

Legislation – which is where power is given to others to pass law.

Please research three different examples of laws which have been passed recently including the new

Coronavirus Act 2020

Act of Parliament

Key Areas of the Legislation What Powers are given under

this Act?

Coronavirus Act

2020

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Extension Activity

The University of London have produced a MOOC – Which is a Massive

Open Online Course. Even though its intended for undergraduates, the

video’s are very informative starting from Week 1.

You do not need to sign up for the certificated course – just look at the

full course and work your way through.

https://www.coursera.org/learn/intro-common-

law?ranMID=40328&ranEAID=SAyYsTvLiGQ&ranSiteID=SAyYsTvLiGQ-

1x9CMKhEaDgTcYI0PWqKIA&siteID=SAyYsTvLiGQ-

1x9CMKhEaDgTcYI0PWqKIA&utm_content=10&utm_medium=partners&utm_source=linkshare&utm_campai

gn=SAyYsTvLiGQ

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Below are a range of documentaries and legally linked films…

Title Origin Link (if available)

Catching Britain’s

Killers

iPlayer (BBC) https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m0009dz2/catching-

britains-killers-the-crimes-that-changed-us-series-1-2-

double-jeopardy

The Case of Sally

Challen

iPlayer (BBC) https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m000c65v/the-case-

of-sally-challen

Crime and

Punishment (History

of the Law)

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kn1gdZMLtrk

The Briefs YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWTcg8Ye6fI

HARDtalk interview

with Lady Hale

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1VozJR_jC8&t=414s

The Bar YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6d78ROXCPgI

To Kill a Burglar YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BemcOAg53eM

The Trial: Murder in

the Family

All4 https://www.channel4.com/programmes/the-trial-a-

murder-in-the-family

Crime and Justice iplayer (BBC) https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/categories/documentaries-

crime-and-justice/featured

The films all aspiring lawyers need to see

1. Twelve Angry Men (1957)

This US film is set in the jury room, where 12 jurors have to decide the outcome of a seemingly open and

shut case. In the UK, no one knows precisely what goes on in the jury room. Direct participant research is

prohibited by law. So dramas like this offer a version of what might happen. One question to ponder: how

do you think the verdict might have differed if the jury had been told it could reach a majority verdict

(possible in England and Wales) rather than a unanimous one?

2. The Paper Chase (1973)

Another US film features a first year law student’s experience of taking a class in contract under the

supervision of the fearsome Professor Kingsfield. It shows how the much vaunted socratic method of legal

education – where students are fiercely quizzed by their professors – works in practice. You may end up

relieved that your course is demanding in different ways! The intellectual limitation of the film is the

suggestion that all legal education is about textual analysis of cases and statutes. It takes no account of the

social importance of law. For a different take on the law school experience, you could try Legally Blonde

(2001).

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3. In the Name of the Father (1993)

This is an Irish-British-American film based on the story of the Guildford Four, four people falsely convicted

of the 1974 IRA‘s Guildford pub bombings, which killed four off-duty British soldiers and a civilian. The story

is important as it formed part of the background to major changes in the criminal justice system of England

and Wales, including the creation of the Criminal Cases Review Commission and the Crown Prosecution

Service. Warning: its portrayal of the trial process is a travesty of reality – it should not be taken as any sort

of representation of what happens in practice.

4. To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)

Based on Harper Lee’s classic novel, this tells the story of attorney Atticus Finch’s defence of a black man

falsely accused of rape. The recent publication of Harper Lee’s follow up novel Go Set a Watchman brings a

new dimension to the tale. How does the new book change your perception of Finch?

5. Erin Brockovich (2000)

A great ’cause lawyering’ film. A clerk in a small law office pursues an action against a huge corporation,

suspected of widespread land pollution. It’s a pity no similar UK film was made about the Sunday

Times classic investigation into the thalidomide drug.

6. Judgment at Nuremberg (1961)

Post World War 2 trial of 4 Nazi judges, accused of using their position to support German state goals of

cleansing the country of Jews. Worth seeing both for its own sake, but also as the back drop for the more

recent creation of International Criminal Tribunals charged with the hearing of cases against those accused

of war crimes.

7. Reversal of Fortune (1990)

Based on a true story it centres on the appeal by Law Professor Alan Dershowitz in the case of Claus von

Bulow, a wealthy Dane found guilty of the attempted murder of his wife. An interesting film: not least

because it shows the engagement of legal academics in real litigation – something which does not often

occur in the UK.

8. 10 Rillington Place (1971)

A film about the trial for murder of Timothy Evans: one of a number of high profile miscarriage of justice

cases that ultimately led to the abolition of the death penalty in the UK in 1965. Worth watching as a

reminder of why the death penalty needs to remain abolished.

9. A Separation (2011)

Iranian film focusing on an Iranian middle-class couple who separate, and the conflicts that arise when the

husband hires a lower-class care giver for his elderly father, who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease. I’ve

included it here because it features some proceedings before courts in Iran, although it is hard to know how

accurate the representation of the working of the Iranian court system truly is.

10. 10th District Court (10e Chambre – Instants d’Audience) (2004)

Documentary on the work of a Paris Criminal Court. Worth viewing to compare how the French criminal

justice system operates to the work of Magistrates’ Courts in England and Wales.

11. Philadelphia

Inspired by the life and ligation of Geoffrey Bowers, Tom Hanks plays an Ivy league educated gay attorney

who fights a battle against a goliath legal firm after discovering he was sacked for contracting AIDS. Hank’s

character is routinely turned down for legal support, that is until the charismatic Joe Miller (Denzel

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Washington) takes his case and battles stereotypes and injustice in this academy award winning

masterpiece.

12. Chicago

The courtroom has never been more musical. Chicago details the story of Roxie Hart, an ambitious showgirl

who is convicted of murdering her secret lover. To escape execution, Roxie enlists the help of Billy Flynn,

played by Richard Gere, to defend her “innocence” in court. Winner of best picture at the 2002 academy

awards, this musical number is not one to miss.

13. Kramer vs Kramer

Winner of five academy awards, Kramer vs Kramer details the complex and heart wrenching implications of

a married couple’s divorce that family lawyers will know too well. The film excellently examines the personal

consequences for the family members involved, with Dustin Hoffman and Meryl Streep both putting in

award winning performances.

14. Miracle on 34thStreet

As supermarkets begin to stock their shelves with all things Christmas, we thought we would get ahead of

the game and put this holiday classic on our list. As Santa Claus battles to prove his identity, a young

attorney leads the case to prove Kris Kringle’s legitimacy. The 1947 iteration of Miracle on 34thstreet won

three Oscars, while the 1994 version has Richard Attenborough playing ol’ Saint Nick.

15. Legally Blonde

Taken from a novel penned by Amanda Brown, Reese Witherspoon plays Elle Woods, your stereotypical

prom queen who has ambitions to join the legal sector. This smash hit spawned a hit musical on Broadway,

two sequels and cult fandom worldwide. If you are in the mood for a light-hearted, feel-good comedy,

Legally Blonde tick’s all those boxes.

16. The Judge

What could be worse than walking into court and seeing your own father as the judge? Robert Downey Jr

jousts with Robert Duvall and Billy Bob Thornton in this recent courtroom classic. Downey Jr takes a break

from saving the world in this comedy-drama, while Robert Duvall won plaudits for his role as Judge Palmer.

17. Dredd

Based on the 2000AD graphic novel, the 2012 cult classic Dredd sees Karl Urban wrestling with a dystopian

legal system, and a whole bunch of bad guys. If you are looking for an action movie that is sure to raise The

Bar, look no further.