Task 1 Key Principles of English Law
The careers centre has asked for a PowerPoint presentation with separate notes which will help students to understand some of the important topics they would learn if they chose to study law.
You should:
- explain the different methods by which laws are made
Make sure you include statutes, case law and EU law
- differentiate between criminal and civil law differentiate between public law and private law. Extension activities:
To gain a merit grade you must also:
- explain the process by which a Bill becomes legislation
Task 2
Statutory interpretation
The students need to understand some of the detail which is required by legal professionals.
Produce 2 information sheets for distribution at the workshops which:
1. explain the traditional techniques of statutory interpretation and how they are used.
2. describe intrinsic and extrinsic aids
Extension activities:
To gain a meritgrade you must also include in information sheet 2:
- an explanation of how intrinsic and extrinsic aids are used by courts as an aid to statutory interpretation.
To gain a distinction grade you must alsoi nclude in information sheet 1:
- an analysis of how the techniques of statutory interpretation have been used in specific case law.
Task 3
Support materials on the English courts
The school is building up materials for the library on careers in Law.
The school Librarian has asked you to prepare information which he can put on the school intranet in which you
- describe the court hierarchy for both criminal and civil law
- explain the process of appeals Extension activities:
To gain a merit grade you must also:
- explain the types of cases heard at each level in the court hierarchy and the powers of the different courts.
To gain a distinction grade you must:
- Explanation the relationship between English Law and European Law
Task 4
The operation of judicial precedent
The student support manager has often been asked about the details of the court hierarchy and how they work. He knows that judicial precedent is critical and involves the application of several principles. However he has asked you to outline these. Produce detailed notes for him which he can use to support young people. These notes should:
- explain how the rules of ‘stare decisis’, ‘ratio decidendi’ and ‘obiter dicta’ are used
- differentiate between ‘distinguishing’, ‘reversing’, ‘binding’ and ‘overruling’,
- giving examples of how they have been used in specific cases
- describe how courts are bound by each other with reference to Young vs Bristol Aeroplane Co Ltd (1944) 2 All ER 293
- explain the impact of “res judicata”.
Extension activities:
To gain a merit grade your notes must also:
- explain the impact of the use of ‘distinguishing’, ‘reversing’, ‘binding’ and ‘overruling’ in specific cases
Sample Answer:
Task 1 – Key Principles of English Law
Slide 1 – Title:
How Laws Are Made in England
Slide Content (bullets):
- Statute Law – made by Parliament
- Case Law (Common Law) – made by judges through precedent
- EU Law – retained law from before Brexit
- Bill → Act of Parliament
Speaker Notes:
Statute law comes from Acts of Parliament. These laws are debated, passed by both Houses, and receive Royal Assent.
Case law is developed by judges when they decide cases. Their legal reasoning becomes precedent for future decisions.
EU law used to have direct effect in the UK. After Brexit, some rules remain as “retained EU law”.
Laws often start as a Bill, go through debate and amendment, and become an Act.
Slide 2 – Title:
Criminal vs Civil Law
Slide Content (bullets):
- Criminal Law – offences against society
- Civil Law – disputes between individuals
- Different courts & remedies
Speaker Notes:
Criminal law deals with crimes like theft, assault, and murder. It’s prosecuted by the state, and punishments can include prison or fines.
Civil law deals with private disputes — like contracts, negligence, or property issues — and usually results in compensation or court orders rather than prison.
Slide 3 – Title:
Public vs Private Law
Slide Content (bullets):
- Public Law – relationship between state & individuals
- Private Law – relationships between individuals
- Examples: constitutional law vs contract law
Speaker Notes:
Public law covers areas like criminal law, constitutional law, and administrative law, all about government powers and citizens’ rights.
Private law covers disputes between private parties, such as businesses or families, including contract law, tort, and family law.