Applied Law Btec: Understanding The Practical Side Of Law

The BTEC Applied Law course is a qualification for learners who want to continue their education through applied learning and who aim to progress to higher education and employment, possibly in the legal sector. The course provides a basic introduction to the legal system and enables learners to develop transferable and higher-order skills that are highly valued by universities and employers. It covers areas such as dispute solving in civil law, investigating aspects of criminal law and the legal system, and applying the law to specific scenarios. The course is assessed through a combination of coursework and exams, providing an exciting alternative for those who prefer a more practical and applied approach to learning about law.

Dispute solving in civil law

In this unit, learners will explore how civil disputes are resolved, both in the courts and by alternative means. This includes learning about the structure of the civil courts and alternative dispute resolution. Students will also examine the application of precedent in the law of negligence, as well as sources of advice, funding, resolution, and remedies. They will develop legal research skills and learn how to reference legal sources and communicate professionally with colleagues and clients.

The unit will be assessed under supervised conditions, with learners provided a case study and a set period to carry out independent research. This assessment will be externally marked.

The BTEC Applied Law course takes a practical approach to studying law, providing an understanding of the work and skills involved in legal careers. It covers the fundamental skills and content of UK and EU Law and is designed to prepare students for further study or employment in the legal sector. The course helps students develop transferable skills such as research, time management, teamwork, and independent working.

Criminal law and the legal system

In the first year of the course, students will learn the basics of criminal liability and the tort of negligence. They will apply this knowledge to situations involving fictitious clients. The course will cover how laws are made and interpreted, who decides on the outcome of criminal cases, and the punishments that can be imposed if laws are broken. Students will also learn about the structure of the court system and how civil disputes are resolved, both in the courts and through alternative means.

In the second year, students will build on this knowledge and study criminal law in more detail, including specific crimes such as murder, manslaughter, theft, and burglary. They will also learn about police procedures for dealing with these offences and the laws relating to arrest, detention, and searching people and property. Students will develop key skills in legal research and communication, as well as decision-making and critical thinking skills. They will also examine case law relating to real-life crimes and the specific Acts of Parliament that relate to criminal offences and police procedures.

The BTEC Applied Law course takes a practical approach to learning about the English Legal System. It covers both criminal law and civil law, providing students with a well-rounded understanding of the legal system and how it works. The course helps students develop important skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication, which are valuable for both higher education and future employment.

Applying the law

The BTEC Applied Law qualification provides learners with an understanding of the English Legal System and how it works. Students will learn how laws are made and interpreted, who decides on the outcome of criminal cases, and the punishments that can be imposed if laws are broken. They will also learn about the police procedures for dealing with offences, as well as the impact and consequences of crime.

In the Applying the Law unit, students will examine the law relating to specific crimes, including murder and manslaughter, as well as offences against property, such as theft and burglary. They will also study the law relating to arrest, detention, and searching people and property. This unit will build on the knowledge gained in the previous units, Dispute Solving in Civil Law and Investigating Aspects of Criminal Law and the Legal System, by allowing students to apply their understanding of the law to specific scenarios.

Students will be expected to analyse, evaluate, and apply the law to advise parties involved in legal situations. They will develop their problem-solving and legal research skills, as well as their decision-making and communication skills. For example, learners may be presented with a scenario and asked to decide how to advise clients or how the police should respond. This unit will help students understand how the law is developed and applied in practice and will enhance their critical-thinking and analytical skills.

The Applying the Law unit is externally assessed and contributes 33% of the overall BTEC National qualification. It is a compulsory unit and is typically taught in the second year of the course.

Aspects of tort law

Tort law is a type of civil law that deals with civil wrongs which cause personal injury or loss, such as loss of earnings or damage to property. It is an area of law that allows people to seek compensation for harm caused by others.

Tort law covers a wide range of civil wrongs, including negligence, defamation, trespass, nuisance, and strict liability. It is important to note that tort law is distinct from criminal law, which deals with wrongs committed against the state rather than an individual.

In the BTEC Applied Law course, students will learn about the basics of tort law, including the tort of negligence, in their first year. They will apply this knowledge to situations involving fictitious clients and will further develop their understanding of tort law in the second year of the course.

• Negligence: This is one of the most common types of torts and involves a breach of a duty of care that results in harm or loss. For example, a driver who fails to pay attention and causes an accident may be liable for negligence.
• Defamation: Defamation is the publication of a false statement that damages a person's reputation. It can be in the form of libel (written or printed) or slander (spoken).
• Trespass: Trespass involves intentionally entering another person's property without their permission. It can include physical trespass, such as entering someone's land, or non-physical trespass, such as interfering with someone's personal space.
• Nuisance: Nuisance refers to an interference with a person's use or enjoyment of their land. It can include noise, odours, pollution, or other types of interference.
• Strict Liability: Strict liability torts are those where the defendant is liable for harm caused, regardless of fault or intention. For example, keeping dangerous animals or engaging in abnormally dangerous activities may result in strict liability.

Students will also learn about the elements of a tort, which typically include a duty of care, breach of that duty, causation, and harm or loss. They will examine case law and legislation related to tort law and develop their critical thinking and analytical skills by evaluating complex scenarios.

Career prospects

The BTEC Applied Law qualification can be a great stepping stone to a career in the legal sector. It provides a basic to detailed introduction to the English legal system, covering criminal and civil law, and how laws are made and interpreted. The course also helps students develop valuable transferable skills such as problem-solving, critical analysis, negotiation, and communication, which are highly valued by universities and employers.

Students who complete the BTEC Applied Law qualification can choose to pursue further education by progressing to higher education courses such as Law, Criminology, International Relations, Public Services Management, or Business. The qualification is accepted for entry to Higher Education and can contribute to meeting admission requirements for many courses. It can also support access to higher education courses, with other courses being considered as well.

For those who wish to enter the workforce directly, the BTEC Applied Law qualification can lead to employment or apprenticeship opportunities in the legal or business sectors. Legal apprentices, for example, can train on the job at law firms to become solicitors, chartered legal executives, or paralegals. The qualification can also be useful for seeking employment in broader sectors of the economy, such as advice work, chartered accountancy, civil service administration, human resources, or data analysis.

The BTEC Applied Law qualification thus opens up a range of career prospects for students, providing them with the knowledge and skills needed to pursue further education or enter the workforce in a variety of sectors.

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