Edexcel IAL Law Past Papers & Mark Schemes | YLA1
Prepare for Pearson Edexcel International A Level Law (YLA1) with past papers, official mark schemes, examiner reports and practical examiner tips. Find resources for Paper 1: Underlying Principles of Law and the English Legal System (YLA1/01) and Paper 2: The Law in Action (YLA1/02), clearly organised by exam series. Jump to the examiner tips or read the frequently asked questions for further revision and exam guidance.
2025 Edexcel International A Level Law Past Papers & Mark Schemes
June 2025 Edexcel IAL Law | Downloads | |
Edexcel IAL Law June 2025 Paper 1 (YLA1/01) – English Legal System | ||
Edexcel IAL Law June 2025 Paper 2 (YLA1/02) – Law in Action |
2024 Edexcel International A Level Law Past Papers & Mark Schemes
June 2024 Edexcel IAL Law | Downloads | |
Edexcel IAL Law June 2024 Paper 1 (YLA1/01) – English Legal System | ||
Edexcel IAL Law June 2024 Paper 2 (YLA1/02) – Law in Action |
2023 Edexcel International A Level Law Past Papers & Mark Schemes
June 2023 Edexcel IAL Law | Downloads | |
Edexcel IAL Law June 2023 Paper 1 (YLA1/01) – English Legal System | ||
Edexcel IAL Law June 2023 Paper 2 (YLA1/02) – Law in Action |
2022 Edexcel International A Level Law Past Papers & Mark Schemes
June 2022 Edexcel IAL Law | Downloads | |
Edexcel IAL Law June 2022 Paper 1 (YLA1/01) – English Legal System | ||
Edexcel IAL Law June 2022 Paper 2 (YLA1/02) – Law in Action |
2021 Edexcel International A Level Law Past Papers & Mark Schemes
June 2021 Edexcel IAL Law | Downloads | |
Edexcel IAL Law June 2021 Paper 1 (YLA1/01) – English Legal System | ||
Edexcel IAL Law June 2021 Paper 2 (YLA1/02) – Law in Action |
2020 Edexcel International A Level Law Past Papers & Mark Schemes
October 2020 Edexcel IAL Law | Downloads | |
Edexcel IAL Law October 2020 Paper 1 (YLA1/01) – English Legal System | ||
Edexcel IAL Law October 2020 Paper 2 (YLA1/02) – Law in Action |
Six Examiner Tips for Edexcel IAL Law Students
1. Match your answer to the command word and assessment objective
Before answering, identify exactly what the command word requires. Do not write pages of legal theory when a question is assessing only your ability to apply the law to a scenario.
For an identify or application question, move quickly to the relevant facts and explain how the legal rule applies. Describe and explain questions require accurate legal knowledge supported by authority. Analyse, assess and evaluatequestions require developed reasoning rather than a list of rules.
Always check whether the question rewards AO1 knowledge, AO2 application or AO3 analysis and evaluation before deciding how to structure your answer.
2. Focus on the legal issues that are genuinely in dispute
In extended problem questions, do not explain every area of law that might be connected to the scenario. If an element is clearly established by the facts, acknowledge it briefly and concentrate on the contentious issue.
Use a clear legal problem-solving structure:
Identify the legal issue.
State and explain the relevant rule.
Support the rule with appropriate case law or legislation.
Apply it closely to the scenario.
Reach a conclusion on that issue.
Write as though you are advising a client who needs a clear answer, rather than reproducing an entire textbook chapter.
3. Use accurate and up-to-date legal authority
Support your reasoning with relevant cases, legislation and statutory sections. Avoid vague statements such as “the law says” or lengthy retellings of case facts. State the legal principle established by the authority and explain how it affects the question.
Make sure your authorities remain legally valid. For example, R v Ghosh is no longer the correct criminal test for dishonesty; refer to Barton and Booth v The Queen, drawing on the approach established in Ivey v Genting Casinos. In negligence, apply an established duty category where one exists and reserve the Caparo test for genuinely novel situations.
4. Answer the precise question—not the one you prepared
Read the full question and underline its limiting words before writing. A strong answer on the wrong issue will receive little or no credit.
If the question asks about Parliamentary controls of delegated legislation, do not discuss judicial controls. If it asks about equitable remedies, do not replace them with an explanation of damages. Similarly, distinguish between questions about the operation of precedent and questions asking for its advantages and disadvantages.
Adapt your knowledge to the question set instead of reproducing a memorised essay. Every paragraph should address the precise legal issue named in the prompt.
5. Finish evaluation answers with a justified conclusion
An effective conclusion must do more than state that there are arguments on both sides. Weigh the competing considerations and explain which argument is ultimately more convincing.
Your judgment should follow from the evidence and legal authorities examined in the body of the answer. You might decide that a law is effective in principle but limited in practice, or that its strengths outweigh its weaknesses only in certain circumstances.
Extended assess and evaluate answers require a clear final judgment. However, do not waste time adding a conclusion to a shorter analyse question when the question does not require one.
6. Control your time and organise answers clearly
Allocate time according to the number of marks available. Do not write a page for a two-mark question and then rush the final extended response. As a general guide, a two-mark answer should be very concise, while higher-mark questions require developed legal reasoning, application and authority.
Read all parts of a multi-part question before answering so that each point is placed in the correct section. Information written under the wrong sub-question may not receive credit.
For complex problem questions involving several parties, use clear headings such as “Nancy’s Claim” or “Trevor’s Liability”. This will keep your reasoning organised and help ensure that no important legal issue is missed.
Edexcel IAL Law 2027: Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the Edexcel IAL Law exam structure for 2027?
Pearson Edexcel International A Level Law consists of two compulsory written examinations:
Paper 1 (YLA1/01): Underlying Principles of Law and the English Legal System
Paper 2 (YLA1/02): The Law in Action
Each paper lasts three hours, is worth 100 marks and contributes 50% of the final Edexcel IAL Law grade. Both papers contain five compulsory questions worth 20 marks each.
Unlike most Pearson Edexcel International A Levels, IAL Law is a linear qualification. Students must complete both papers in the same examination series.
2. When are the Edexcel IAL Law exams in 2027?
According to Pearson’s final Summer 2027 International A Level timetable:
Paper 1: Wednesday 12 May 2027 – Morning – 3 hours
Paper 2: Monday 24 May 2027 – Morning – 3 hours
Students should confirm their reporting time with their school or examination centre because local arrangements and international start times can vary.
Edexcel IAL Law is available only in the May/June examination series. It is not currently offered in the January or October IAL examination series.
3. What topics are covered in Edexcel IAL Law Paper 1?
Paper 1, Underlying Principles of Law and the English Legal System, covers the nature and purpose of law and the operation of the English legal system.
Important areas include:
Civil and criminal liability
Law, justice and morality
Legal theories and theories of punishment
Parliamentary law-making
Statutory interpretation
Delegated legislation
Judicial precedent
Equity and equitable remedies
EU law
Civil dispute resolution and ADR
Courts and tribunals
Judges, lawyers, magistrates and juries
Access to justice and legal funding
Students must revise both legal knowledge and the strengths, weaknesses and effectiveness of these institutions and processes.
4. What topics are covered in Edexcel IAL Law Paper 2?
Paper 2, The Law in Action, focuses on applying substantive law to legal scenarios. Its content is organised around three broad contexts:
The market: contract law, consumer rights, negligence, defences and remedies
The criminal offender: actus reus, mens rea, property offences, fraud, criminal damage, defences and sentencing
The individual: human rights, freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, defamation, privacy and the protection of personal information
Paper 2 questions require close application of cases, legislation and legal principles to the facts provided. General descriptions of the law without scenario application will not usually reach the highest marks.
5. Can I take the two Edexcel IAL Law papers separately?
No. Edexcel IAL Law is not divided into separate IAS and IA2 stages. Both YLA1/01 and YLA1/02 must be taken in the same examination series to receive the qualification.
If you resit Edexcel IAL Law, you must resit both papers. Pearson does not permit individual paper resits for this qualification.
This makes preparation and time management particularly important. Students need to revise Paper 1 and Paper 2 simultaneously rather than concentrating on one paper and postponing the other until a later examination series.
