A2 Law Chief Examiner Professor Iwan Davies Principal Examiner Dr Pauline O’Hara

General Observations Some candidates did not answer the required number of questions - still rubric errors. Weaker candidates presented pre- prepared generic answers.

General Observations Standard of previous years was maintained. Many candidates produced excellent scripts. Some candidates displayed up to date knowledge of recent changes in the law.

Option 01 – Contract and Consumer Law LA3 LA3 was generally well answered with some good responses. Weaknesses in some answers included a lack of understanding of the importance of the Law Commission in promoting law reform.

Option 01 – Contract and Consumer Law LA4 LA4 was also generally well answered with some good responses. Weaknesses in some answers included a lack of knowledge of the roles of the new consumer councils and Ombudsman Schemes.

Option 02 – Criminal Law & Justice LA3 & LA4 Overall candidates performed better at LA4 than LA3. Candidates seem to be well-prepared for the essay questions but appear to be less prepared for the scenario questions in LA3. Too many candidates fail to write the question number order on the front of their answer booklet.

Option 02 – Criminal Law & Justice LA3 Question One Many candidates produce logical and well-structured answers. However, some candidates included too much irrelevant material. Part(b) was well-answered however, there are still some candidates who are not aware of the reforms in the CJA 2003.

Option 02 – Criminal Law & Justice LA3 Question Two The overall standard for this question was good. Some candidates left out the defences altogether or dealt with them superficially. In part (b) some answers revealed little or no understanding of criminal defence arrangements.

Option 02 – Criminal Law & Justice LA3 Question Three Candidates found this a challenging question and they approached it as a general PACE answer rather than the admissibility of confessional evidence. In (b) too many candidates provided weak answers omitting the six key qualities, the role of the LAC and the Courts Act 2003.

Option 02 – Criminal Law & Justice LA3 Question Four This was overall well done. However, some candidates managed to turn the question towards a more general consideration of Harry’s criminal liability. Part (b) produced some excellent answers.

Option 02 – Criminal Law & Justice LA4 Question 1 This produced the best answers on the paper with good reference to case- law and reports.

Option 02 – Criminal Law & Justice LA4 Question 2 This was a less popular question. There were many well-rehearsed answers.

Option 02 – Criminal Law & Justice LA4 Question 3 A popular question with candidates able to provide strong evaluation.

Option 02 – Criminal Law & Justice LA4 Question 4 Answers were often very detailed highlighting the defects of the current law and addressing the issue of reform.

Option 02 – Criminal Law & Justice LA4 Question 5 A very popular question. Many candidates earned full marks for both (a) and (b). In part (b) a small number of candidates confused statutory interpretation with judicial precedent.

Option 02 – Criminal Law & Justice LA4 Question 6 In part (a) candidates tended to concentrate on the aims of sentencing rather than the guidelines. Some candidates failed to answer (b) or provided weak answers.

Option 03 – Freedom of the Individual and Protection of Human Rights LA3 & LA4 Overall candidates performed better at LA4 than LA3. The overall performance was strong with many candidates demonstrating excellent knowledge and understanding of the law relating to human rights.

Specific Weaknesses Time allocation; still evidence of over and underwriting. Not defining key terms. Limited deployment of paragraphs. Repetition. Dated cases / lacking in legal authority.

For further information, please contact the Subject Officer at the WJEC: Joanna Lewis 245 Western Avenue Cardiff CF5 2YX