NCEA Level 3 Legal Studies
Course Description
Head of Faculty - Kaihautuu: Mr B. Silk, Mr M. Naicker.
What capabilities will I develop?
Legal Studies aims to teach students to read and understand legislation and case law in NZ and overseas. This will be ideal preparation for students who wish to complete a law degree, manage their own business, or understand the ways in which the law and government influence their everyday lives. The course encourages students to discuss ideas collaboratively, and then think about how to apply legal principles to a real life NZ situation.
Course Overview
Term 1
All internals are assignment-based involving research mixed with an legal commentary about how the NZ law or case law will apply certain legal principles. Interactive teacher sessions, creative demonstrations e.g. a blind taste test, and and workbook activities are used to scaffold learning and make it interesting. This is the same for all standards listed below.
Concepts of Justice:
Concept 1: No-one is above the law
Concept 2: Coercive Power
Concept 3: Equity
Concepts of Law:
Concept 1: Crime
Concept 2: Negligence
Term 2
Litigation and Dispute Resolution processes:
Formal Means 1: Admin Review
Formal Means 2: Judicial Review
Formal Means 3: Ombudsman
Formal Means 4: Independent Police Complaints Authority (IPCA)
Concepts of Democracy and Government (Human Rights)
Term 3
Concepts of Democracy and Government (Human Rights)
Significant Legal Issue - student choice
Term 4
Students can either finish internals that are incomplete or revise for externals in OTHER subjects. There are no externals in Legal Studies.
Contributions and Equipment/Stationery
A personal laptop is essential for this course. If obtaining one is a barrier, please contact Ben Silk, the Kaihautu/Head of Social Sciences, at .
Pathway
This course leads directly to Stage 1 University law. It will not qualify a student entry into university law as it is not a university approved subject. However, it will help any student immensely who is studying law. The current University of Auckland statistic is that anyone who studied law (L2 or L3) at school is in the top 10% of their Level 1 university class for the first semester.
See Mr Hughes HOD Legal Studies if you are interested in this option.
Is a huge help to anyone studying law at any NZ university.
Credit Information
You will be assessed in this course through all or a selection of the standards listed below.
External
NZQA Info
Evaluate a concept of democracy and government in relation to restraint on state power
NZQA Info
Evaluate a concept of justice in relation to an actual situation
NZQA Info
Evaluate a concept of law in relation to an actual situation
NZQA Info
Evaluate litigation and dispute resolution processes in relation to challenging state power
NZQA Info
Evaluate a law making process in relation to a significant legal issue
NZQA Info
Evaluate systems of government and their formation
Pathway Tags
Barrister, Legal Executive, Solicitor, Business Owner, Court Taker, Court Staff, Police Officer,