OCR A Level Law specification (H418)
Understanding the exam specification is key to doing well in your OCR A Level Law exam. It lays out exactly what you need to learn, how you'll be assessed, and what skills the examiners seek. Whether you're working through the course for the first time or revising for your final exams, the specification helps you stay focused and confident in your preparation.
We've included helpful revision tools to support you in putting the specification into practice. Wherever you're starting from, you'll find everything you need to feel prepared, from the official specification to high-quality resources designed to help you succeed.
Examiner-written revision resources that improve your grades 2x
- Written by expert teachers and examiners
- Aligned to exam specifications
- Everything you need to know, and nothing you don’t
In the next section, you'll find a simplified summary of the official OCR A Level Law specification, along with a breakdown of key topics, assessment structure, and useful study resources. We've also included links to topic-level guides and revision tools to help you put the specification into practice.
Contents
Disclaimer
This page includes a summary of the official OCR A Level Law (H418) specification, provided to support your revision. While we've made every effort to ensure accuracy, Save My Exams is not affiliated with the awarding body.
For the most complete and up-to-date information, we strongly recommend consulting the official OCR specification PDF.
Specification overview
OCR’s A Level in Law offers learners a deep and structured insight into the English legal system, both private and public law, as well as optional specialist study in either human rights or contract law. The qualification encourages learners to develop a comprehensive understanding of legal rules, institutions, and methods of reasoning. It aims to foster learners’ abilities to analyse legal scenarios, construct persuasive arguments, and critically evaluate how law interacts with morality, justice, and society. Through the exploration of legal method, statutory interpretation, and judicial precedent, learners gain the skills necessary to study law further or apply legal reasoning in related disciplines. The course also develops an awareness of European and global legal contexts, and the dynamic nature of law as it evolves.Subject content breakdown
H418/01 – The legal system and criminal law
The legal system
- Structure and roles of civil and criminal courts
- Pre-trial procedures, appeals and sentencing
- Legal professions and judiciary; selection, regulation and independence
- Access to justice: legal aid, private funding, advice agencies
Criminal law
- Elements of liability: actus reus, mens rea, causation
- Fatal offences: murder, manslaughter (voluntary and involuntary)
- Non-fatal offences: assault, ABH, GBH, wounding
- Property offences: theft, robbery, burglary
- Mental capacity and general defences: insanity, automatism, intoxication, duress, consent
- Attempts and impossibility
- Evaluation of offences and defences
H418/02 – Law making and the law of tort
Law making
- Parliamentary and delegated legislation; process, control and evaluation
- Statutory interpretation: rules, aids, EU and HRA influences
- Judicial precedent and court hierarchy
- Law reform: influences, Law Commission
- EU law: institutions, sources, impact on UK law
Law of tort
- Negligence: duty of care, breach, damage
- Occupiers’ liability: lawful visitors and trespassers
- Nuisance and Rylands v Fletcher
- Vicarious liability: employment status, scope of employment
- Defences: contributory negligence, volenti, others
- Remedies: damages, injunctions, mitigation
- Evaluation of key areas
H418/03 – The nature of law and Human rights
The nature of law
- Law vs rules, morality and justice; rule of law
- Law and society: social control, consensus/conflict, realism
- Evaluation of legal foundations and their role
Human rights
- Theory and principles of human rights law
- ECHR, HRA 1998, UK devolution context
- Key ECHR Articles: 5, 6, 8, 10, 11 and restrictions
- Interactions with English law: public order, police powers, privacy, confidentiality, harassment
- Enforcement: domestic courts, judicial review, ECtHR
- Evaluation of protection and reform
H418/04 – The nature of law and the law of contract
The nature of law
- As above (mirrors Section A from H418/03)
Contract law
- Rules and theory of contract: formation, terms, privity, fairness
- Formation: offer, acceptance, intention, consideration
- Terms: express/implied, conditions, warranties, exclusion clauses
- Vitiating factors: misrepresentation, economic duress
- Discharge: performance, frustration, breach
- Remedies: damages, equitable remedies, consumer rights
- Evaluation of contractual principles and reform ideas
Assessment structure
The legal system and criminal law (H418/01)
- Written exam: 2 hours
- 33.3% of A Level, 80 marks
- Section A: medium tariff questions (20 marks)
- Section B: legal scenarios and extended response (60 marks)
Law making and the law of tort (H418/02)
- Written exam: 2 hours
- 33.3% of A Level, 80 marks
- Section A: medium tariff questions (20 marks)
- Section B: legal scenarios and extended response (60 marks)
The nature of law and Human rights (H418/03)
or
The nature of law and the law of contract (H418/04)
- Written exam: 2 hours
- 33.3% of A Level, 80 marks
- Section A: extended essay question (20 marks)
Section B: two scenario questions and one essay (60 marks)
- All components include synoptic assessment
- 100% external assessment
- No non-exam assessment
- Extended responses required across all components
Key tips for success
Doing well in your OCR A Level Law isn't just about how much you study, but how you study. Here are a few proven tips to help you stay on track
- Start with a clear plan: Break the subject into topics and create a revision schedule that allows enough time for each. Start early to avoid last-minute stress.
- Focus on understanding, not memorising: Use our revision notes to build a strong foundation in each topic, making sure you actually understand the material.
- Practise regularly: Attempt past papers to familiarise yourself with the exam format and timing. Mark your answers to see how close you are to full marks.
- Be strategic with your revision: Use exam questions by topic to focus on weaker areas, and flashcards to reinforce important facts and terminology.
- Learn from mistakes: Whether it's from mock exams or practice questions, spend time reviewing what went wrong and why. This helps prevent repeat mistakes in the real exam.
- Stay balanced: Don't forget to take regular breaks, eat well, and get enough sleep, a healthy routine makes revision much more effective.
With the right approach and consistent practice, you'll build confidence and improve your chances of exam success.
Share this article