How to Revise A-Level Law
Prepare for A-Level Law with practice on the English legal system, criminal law, tort law, contract law, and human rights.
Revision Strategy
Revising Law means understanding concepts and theories well enough to apply them to real-world examples and scenarios. Start by making sure you can define and explain the key terms and theories for each topic, then practise applying them to case studies and exam-style questions. The ability to connect theory to evidence is what earns the highest marks.
Essay structure is critical in Law. Most extended answers require you to present arguments and counter-arguments before reaching a supported conclusion. Practise writing structured responses that clearly state a point, support it with evidence or theory, and then evaluate it before moving on. This disciplined approach prevents waffling and keeps your answers focused.
Research methods and evaluation skills are tested across many Law papers. Make sure you understand the strengths and weaknesses of different research approaches, can identify bias, and can evaluate the reliability and validity of evidence. These analytical skills are transferable across topics and often provide straightforward marks in the exam.
Study Tips for A-Level Law
- ✓ Learn case law with precision — know the case name, the key facts, and the legal principle it established. For example, Donoghue v Stevenson (1932) established the neighbour principle in negligence. You must cite cases accurately in exam answers to earn full marks.
- ✓ Practise applying the IRAC method (Issue, Rule, Application, Conclusion) to scenario questions. Identify the legal issue, state the relevant law and supporting case, apply it to the facts given, and reach a conclusion. This structured approach is what examiners expect.
- ✓ Create summary charts for each area of law showing the elements that must be proved. For example, in negligence: duty of care, breach of duty, causation (factual and legal), and remoteness of damage. These frameworks help you work through scenarios systematically.
- ✓ Read about current legal cases and developments in the news. Being able to reference contemporary examples in your evaluation questions demonstrates engagement with the subject and strengthens your critical analysis.
Exam Tips for A-Level Law
- ✓ In scenario-based questions, work through each legal element methodically. Do not jump to a conclusion — the marks are for the legal reasoning, not just the answer. Discuss each element of the offence or claim, apply the relevant case law, and then reach a conclusion on liability.
- ✓ For essay questions evaluating the law, present both sides of the argument with specific supporting evidence (cases, statistics, academic commentary) before reaching a balanced conclusion. One-sided arguments will not access the top mark bands.
- ✓ Use legal terminology precisely. Saying the defendant is guilty is appropriate in criminal law but not in tort — in civil law, the defendant is liable. These distinctions demonstrate legal literacy and are expected at A-Level.
Topics to Cover
8 topics in A-Level Law
Frequently Asked Questions
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