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2025 OCR A Level Law
H418/01 The legal system and criminal law
Includes Verified Question paper & Marking Scheme
Attached
Oxford Cambridge and RSA
Thursday 22 May 2025 – Afternoon
A Level Law
H418/01 The legal system and criminal law
Time allowed: 2 hours
You must have:
- the OCR 12-page Answer Booklet
INSTRUCTIONS
- Use black ink.
- Write your answer to each question in the Answer Booklet. The question numbers must be
clearly shown.
- Fill in the boxes on the front of the Answer Booklet.
- Answer five questions in total:
Answer one question from Questions 1 and 2 and one question from Questions 3 and 4 in
Section A.
Choose one Part in Section B. Answer the three questions for that part.
INFORMATION
- The total mark for this paper is 80.
- The marks for each question are shown in brackets [ ].
- Quality of extended response will be assessed in questions marked with an asterisk ( ***** ).
- This document has 4 pages.
ADVICE
- Read each question carefully before you start your answer.
SECTION A
The legal system
Answer Question 1 or Question 2. Then answer Question 3 or Question 4.
Answer Question 1 or Question 2.
1 Describe the different sources of funding for civil cases. [8]
2 Explain the community sentences available to an adult offender. [8]
Answer Question 3 or Question 4.
3 Discuss the disadvantages of the judiciary. [12]
4 Discuss the benefits of using the civil courts to solve a dispute. [12]
© OCR 2025 H418/01 Jun
Part 2
Answer the three questions.
The first two questions are about the scenarios. The scenarios are not related.
Amos is waiting in a fish and chip shop when he notices that Ben, the owner, has left the cash till open. He
decides to steal some money from the till and goes behind the counter. However, as he approaches the cash
till, Ben returns from the storeroom and sees Amos behind the counter. Amos panics and runs out of the shop.
Ben shouts after Amos, “Don’t you come back in here! You’re banned!” Later, Amos realises that he has left
his wallet on the counter of the fish and chip shop. He goes back and as he can’t see Ben, goes inside. He
cannot see his wallet, but in front of the counter is a fridge. He decides he will take a bottle of water from the
fridge and leave without paying for it.
However, when he tries to open the fridge he finds that it is locked.
Rishi’s hobby is playing video games. He wants to buy the latest instalment of his favourite game, but he has no
money to pay for it. He decides to steal a copy from a video games shop. Rishi is nervous about stealing the
game so drinks several beers to overcome his fears. Rishi does not realise how strong the beer is. He goes into
the shop and puts a copy of the video game under his shirt before walking out without paying. Felix works in
the shop. He suffers badly with anxiety. His doctor has prescribed a sedative drug to help with the anxiety. On
this occasion, the drug has had an unusual side effect which makes Felix feel confused and angry. When he sees
Rishi walk out the shop without paying for the video game, he chases after him. Felix punches Rishi and knocks
him to the ground, breaking his pelvis. Felix cannot remember anything about the incident.
8 Advise whether Amos is criminally liable for burglary. [20]
9 Advise whether Rishi and Felix can avoid liability for any offences using the defence of intoxication. Do
not
discuss the specific crimes. [20]
Essay question on criminal law
10* ‘The current law relating to assault occasioning actual bodily harm, charged under s47 Offences Against the
Person Act 1861 is easily criticised and needs to be reformed urgently.’
Discuss the extent to which this statement is accurate. [20]
END OF QUESTION PAPER
Oxford Cambridge and RSA
Copyright Information
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this paper. To avoid the issue of disclosure of answer-related information to candidates, all copyright acknowledgements are reproduced in the OCR Copyright Acknowledgements Booklet. This is produced
for each series of examinations and is freely available to download from our public website (www.ocr.org.uk) after the live examination series.
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For queries or further information please contact The OCR Copyright Team, The Triangle Building, Shaftesbury Road, Cambridge CB2 8EA. OCR is part of
© OCR 2025 H418/01 Jun
Cambridge University Press & Assessment, which is itself a department of the University of Cambridge.
© OCR 2025 H418/01 Jun
OCR (Oxford Cambridge and RSA) is a leading UK awarding body, providing a wide range of
qualifications to meet the needs of candidates of all ages and abilities. OCR qualifications include AS/A
Levels, Diplomas, GCSEs, Cambridge Nationals, Cambridge Technicals, Functional Skills, Key Skills,
Entry Level qualifications, NVQs and vocational qualifications in areas such as IT, business, languages,
teaching/training, administration and secretarial skills.
It is also responsible for developing new specifications to meet national requirements and the needs of
students and teachers. OCR is a not-for-profit organisation; any surplus made is invested back into the
establishment to help towards the development of qualifications and support, which keep pace with the
changing needs of today’s society.
This mark scheme is published as an aid to teachers and students, to indicate the requirements of the
examination. It shows the basis on which marks were awarded by examiners. It does not indicate the details
of the discussions which took place at an examiners’ meeting before marking commenced.
All examiners are instructed that alternative correct answers and unexpected approaches in candidates’ scripts
must be given marks that fairly reflect the relevant knowledge and skills demonstrated.
Mark schemes should be read in conjunction with the published question papers and the report on the
examination.
© OCR 2025
Oxford Cambridge and RSA Examinations
H418/01 Mark Scheme June 2025
Marking Instructions
PREPARATION FOR MARKING RM
ASSESSOR
1. Make sure that you have accessed and completed the relevant training packages for on-screen marking: RM Assessor Online Training:
OCR Essential Guide to Marking.
2. Make sure that you have read and understood the mark scheme and the question paper for this unit. These are available in RM Assessor
3. Log-in to RM Assessor and mark the required number of practice responses (“scripts”) and the required number of standardisation
responses.
MARKING
- Mark strictly to the mark scheme.
- Marks awarded must relate directly to the marking criteria.
- The schedule of dates is very important. It is essential that you meet the RM Assessor 50% and 100% (traditional 40% Batch 1 and 100% Batch 2) deadlines. If
you experience problems, you must contact your Team Leader (Supervisor) without delay.
- If you are in any doubt about applying the mark scheme, consult your Team Leader by telephone or the RM Assessor messaging system, or by email.
5. Crossed Out Responses
Where a candidate has crossed out a response and provided a clear alternative then the crossed out response is not marked. Where no alternative response has been
provided, examiners may give candidates the benefit of the doubt and mark the crossed out response where legible.
Rubric Error Responses – Optional Questions
Where candidates have a choice of question across a whole paper or a whole section and have provided more answers than required, then all responses are marked and
the highest mark allowable within the rubric is given. Enter a mark for each question answered into RM assessor, which
H418/01 Mark Scheme June 2025
- Always check the pages (and additional objects if present) at the end of the response in case any answers have been continued there. If the candidate has
continued an answer there, then add a tick to confirm that the work has been seen.
7. There is a NR ( No Response ) option. Award NR (No Response):
- if there is nothing written at all in the answer space
- OR if there is a comment which does not in any way relate to the question (e.g., ‘can’t do’, ‘don’t know’)
- OR if there is a mark (e.g., a dash, a question mark) which is not an attempt at the question.
Note: Award 0 marks – for an attempt that earns no credit (including copying out the question).
- The RM Assessor comments box is used by your team leader to explain the marking of the practice responses. Please refer to these comments when checking
your practice responses. Do not use the comments box for any other reason.
If you have any questions or comments for your team leader, use the phone, the RM Assessor messaging system, or e-mail.
9. Assistant Examiners will send a brief report on the performance of candidates to their Team Leader (Supervisor) via email by the end of the marking period. The
report should contain notes on particular strengths displayed as well as common errors or weaknesses. Constructive criticism of the question paper/mark scheme
is also appreciated.
H418/01 Mark Scheme June 2025
10. Annotations
Annotation Meaning
Highlighter
Highlight
Noted but no credit given
AO1 worthy of credit
AO2 worthy of credit
AO3 evaluative point
AO3 developed point
AO3 well-developed point
AO3 very well-developed point
Conclusion - where appropriate
Relevant case or statutory authority
Basic points at Level 1
Not answered the question or issue
Repetition
Placeholder
Horizontal and vertical wavy line to note irrelevant or incorrect material
H418/01 Mark Scheme June 2025
achievements; the co-ordination scripts then become part of this Mark Scheme.
Before the Standardisation Meeting, you should read and mark in pencil a number of scripts, in order to gain an impression of the range of responses
and achievement that may be expected.
Please read carefully all the scripts in your allocation and make every effort to look positively for achievement throughout the ability range. Always be
prepared to use the full range of marks.
Assessment Objectives
Three Assessment Objectives are being assessed across the questions: AO1 : Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the English legal
system and legal rules and principles, AO2 : Apply legal rules and principles to given scenarios in order to present a legal argument using appropriate
legal terminology, AO3 : Analyse and evaluate legal rules, principles and concepts.
For AO2 , there are two elements to the assessment objective:
● Apply legal rules and principles to given scenarios
● Present a legal argument using appropriate legal terminology
These two elements should have equal weighting and be awarded jointly according to the guidance given in the level descriptors and indicative content. For
example, to achieve level 4, an answer should include excellent application of legal rules and principles and excellent presentation of legal argument. Further
guidance will be given in the standardisation meeting when there is an uneven performance across the elements.
H418/01 Mark Scheme June 2025
Levels of Response
Questions in this paper are marked using a levels of response grid. When using this grid, examiners must use a best-fit approach. Where there are both strengths and
weaknesses in a particular response, particularly imbalanced responses in terms of the assessment objectives, examiners must carefully consider which level is the
best fit for the performance. Note that candidates can achieve different levels in each assessment objective, for example a Level 3 for AO1, and a Level 2 for AO2.
To use these grids:
Determine the level : start at the highest level and work down until you reach the level that matches the answer.
Determine the mark within the level : consider the following:
Descriptor Award mark
On the borderline of this level and the one At the bottom level
below
Just enough achievement on balance for Above bottom and either below middle or at middle of level (depending on number of marks
this level available)
Meets the criteria but with some slight Above middle and either below top of level or at middle of level (depending on number of marks
inconsistency available)
Consistently meets the criteria for this level At top of level
H418/01 Mark Scheme June 2025
Levels are accessed based on the completeness of
the response. Level 4 responses will demonstrate an
excellent description of a range of funding types for
civil cases.
A list with no description will demonstrate no more than
basic knowledge.
H418/01 Mark Scheme June 2025
Answer
Marks
Guidance
2 Explain the community sentences available to an adult offender. 8 Use Levels of Response criteria
AO
Answers may include: Level 4 (7-8 marks)
● Excellent knowledge and understanding of the English
s201 Sentencing Act 2020: legal system, rules and principles.
Community Order requirements for example: ● The response is accurate, fully developed and detailed.
● Unpaid work requirement: There will be excellent citation of fully relevant statutes
○ 40 - 300 hrs and case law.
○ completed within a 12-month period
○ work in the community e.g., litter picking, clearing graffiti Level 3 (5-6 marks)
● Curfew requirement (Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act ● Good knowledge and understanding of the English
- legal system, rules and principles.
○ between 2-20 hrs per day ● The response is detailed, but not fully developed in
○ max 112 hours per week places. There will be good citation of mostly relevant
○ Completed within a 2 year period statutes and case law.
● Rehabilitation activity requirement:
○ offender will be required to participate in rehabilitative Level 2 (3-4 marks)
activities ● Basic knowledge and understanding of the English legal
○ offender will be required to attend supervision appointment system, rules and principles.
with Probation ● The response may lack detail in places and is partially
○ court will specify the maximum number rehabilitative developed. There will be some reference to statutes
activity days the offender must complete and case law.
● Exclusion requirement:
○ order prohibiting an offender from going into a particular Level 1 (1-2 marks)
place(s) or area(s) ● Limited knowledge and understanding of the English
○ will be accompanied alongside an electronic compliance
legal system, rules and principles.
● The response will have minimal detail. Citation of monitoring requirement (electronic tag) unless there is a
good reason not to
statutes and case law is limited.
○ Maximum 2 year exclusion period
Level 0 (0 marks)
● Drug rehabilitation requirement:
No response or no response worthy of credit.
○ duration set by the court
○ treatment can be residential or non-residential
H418/01 Mark Scheme June 2025
Answer
Marks
Guidance
3 Discuss the disadvantages of the judiciary. 12 Use Levels of Response criteria
AO
Answers may include: 1b Level 4 (10-12 marks)
● Excellent analysis and evaluation of a wide range of
● Approximately 80% of superior judges are over 50. This creates legal concepts and issues.
an age imbalance that may hinder modern perspectives and limit ● The response is wide ranging and has a well sustained
younger legal professionals from aspiring to judicial roles. focus on the question.
● Lack of gender equality in the superior courts. 70% senior ● The key points are fully discussed and fully developed.
judges are male. Gender imbalance suggests barriers to
women's progression and reduces diversity in decision-making, Level 3 (7-9 marks)
especially on gender-related issues. ● Good analysis and evaluation of a range of legal
● The percentage of ethnic minorities in the judiciary is concepts and issues.
approximately 10%. In the superior courts it is 5%. This can ● The response has mainly consistent focus on the
diminish public confidence in the judiciary among certain question.
communities. ● Most of the key points are well discussed and well
● In the superior courts approximately 69% of inferior judges and developed.
90% of superior judges were previously barristers. This
Level 2 (4-6 marks) preference limits professional diversity and may exclude other
qualified legal professionals, like solicitors, from top judicial ● Basic analysis and evaluation of legal concepts and
roles.
issues.
● The response partially focused on the question. ● Approximately 66% of superior judges attended private school
and over 70% graduated from Oxbridge. This concentration of ● Some of the key points are discussed and partially
elite educational backgrounds reinforces class privilege and
developed.
undermines the judiciary’s image as open and a merit based
Level 1 (1-3 marks)
profession.
● Limited analysis of legal concepts and/or issues. ● Reports of judges acting in a racially biased manner are mostly
directed towards Asian and Black males. It suggests unequal ● The response has limited focus on the question.
treatment, reinforces harmful stereotypes, and damages ● Discussion of any key points is minimal.
confidence in the justice system, particularly among minority
Level 0 (0 marks)
communities.
No response or no response worthy of credit.
H418/01 Mark Scheme June 2025
● Whilst judges are given some training the training courses are Excellent analysis will require at least one well-developed
short and not always face to face. Lack of training may mean point among a range of relevant evaluative points
that judges are not prepared fully for the role they undertake.
● There is no career judiciary in the UK. To become an inferior Good analysis will require at least one developed point
judge, the applicant must have previously been a practicing
lawyer/academic. A career judiciary would allow for consistently No conclusion is necessary.
high judicial expertise where judges are specially trained and
gain extensive experience over time, leading to more consistent,
efficient, and impartial decision-making
● Judges may become case-hardened after repeated exposure to
distressing cases, leading to a lack of empathy or emotional
detachment. This can affect the fairness of their decisions and
reduce public confidence in the justice system.
Credit any other relevant point(s)
