Cambridge International AS & A Level Cambridge International AS & A Level
LAW 9084/11
LAW 9084/11
Paper 1 English Legal System May/June 2026
Paper 1 English Legal System May/June 2026
MARK SCHEME
1 hour 30 minutes
Maximum Mark: 75
You must answer on the enclosed answer booklet.
*
You will need: Answer booklet (enclosed)
Published
INSTRUCTIONS
● Answer seven questions in total:
Section A: answer all questions.
Section B: answer two questions. This mark scheme contains the instructions and marking guidance that our examiners used to mark
candidate responses for this component.
● Follow the instructions on the front cover of the answer booklet. If you need additional answer paper,
*
ask the invigilator for a continuation booklet. Before they start marking, examiners complete a standardisation process. They review a range of candidate
responses and discuss the mark scheme in detail to agree which answers can and cannot be accepted.
Examiners award marks where it is clear that candidate responses have met the requirements of the mark
INFORMATION scheme. These requirements may vary between different components or different versions of the same
● The total mark for this paper is 75. component, depending on the exact requirements of the question and the candidate responses seen during
● The number of marks for each question or part question is shown in brackets [ ]. the standardisation process.
Sometimes, our mark schemes may allow marks to be awarded to responses which contain elements that
are factually incorrect or for content not covered by the syllabus. We do this in response to the demands of a
specific question to support candidates and make sure that our assessments are fair. However, these
allowances should not be used as a guide for teaching and learning.
We cannot discuss the mark scheme with schools, and we recommend that schools read the mark scheme
together with the assessment material and the Principal Examiner Report for Teachers.
This document has 4 pages. Any blank pages are indicated.
DC (CE) 361592 This document consists of 17 printed pages.
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 [Turn over
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 [Turn over
, 9084/11 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme May/June 2026
2 PUBLISHED
Section A General marking principles
Answer all questions. All examiners must apply these marking principles when marking candidate responses.
1 Identify the case which allows the Court of Appeal to depart from its own previous decisions. [1] 1 Examiners must award marks for each response in line with:
• the specific content defined in the mark scheme
2 Identify two criminal offences. [2] • the specific skills defined in the mark scheme or in the level descriptions
• the standard of response required as exemplified by the standardisation scripts.
3 Explain two reasons why the Lord Chancellor might dismiss an inferior judge. [6] 2 Examiners must award whole marks (not half marks, or other fractions).
3 Examiners must award marks positively. This means that:
4 Describe the role of the Law Society and The General Council of the Bar. [6]
• marks are not deducted for errors or omissions
• marks are awarded for correct/valid answers as defined in the mark scheme and also for
5 Discuss the advantages of using the small claims procedure in the County Court. [10] other valid answers which go beyond the scope of the syllabus and mark scheme
referring to your team leader as appropriate
• the quality of spelling, punctuation and grammar are judged only when the mark scheme
indicates that these features are specifically assessed in the question. However, the
Section B meaning of all responses must be unambiguous.
Answer two questions. 4 Examiners must consistently apply the requirements of the mark scheme and any rules for
what to do when candidates have not followed instructions correctly.
6 (a) Explain how the literal and golden rules are used by judges in statutory interpretation. [10]
5 Examiners must use the full range of marks defined in the mark scheme, unless limited by
the quality of the candidate responses seen.
(b) Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of both the literal and golden rules. [15]
6 Examiners must award marks according to the mark scheme and must not award marks with
grade thresholds or grade descriptions in mind.
7 (a) Explain the effects of the Legislative and Regulatory Reform Act 2006 on
delegated legislation. [10]
(b) Discuss whether the parliamentary controls on delegated legislation are adequate. [15]
8 (a) Explain the rules set out in the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 regarding the
treatment of suspects detained at the police station. [10]
(b) Assess whether these rules provide adequate protection to those in police custody. [15]
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 9084/11/M/J/26
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 Page 2 of 17
, 9084/11 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme May/June 2026
3 PUBLISHED
BLANK PAGE Social Sciences-Specific Marking Principles
(for point-based marking)
1 Components using point-based marking:
• Point marking is often used to reward knowledge, understanding and application of skills.
We give credit where the candidate’s answer shows relevant knowledge, understanding
and application of skills in answering the question. We do not give credit where the answer
shows confusion.
From this it follows that we:
a DO credit answers which are worded differently from the mark scheme if they clearly
convey the same meaning (unless the mark scheme requires a specific term)
b DO credit alternative answers/examples which are not written in the mark scheme if they
are correct
c DO credit answers where candidates give more than one correct answer in one
prompt/numbered/scaffolded space where extended writing is required rather than list-type
answers. For example, questions that require n reasons (e.g. State two reasons …).
d DO NOT credit answers simply for using a ‘key term’ unless that is all that is required.
(Check for evidence it is understood and not used wrongly.)
e DO NOT credit answers which are obviously self-contradicting or trying to cover all
possibilities
f DO NOT give further credit for what is effectively repetition of a correct point already
credited unless the language itself is being tested. This applies equally to ‘mirror
statements’ (i.e. polluted/not polluted).
g DO NOT require spellings to be correct, unless this is part of the test. However spellings of
syllabus terms must allow for clear and unambiguous separation from other syllabus terms
with which they may be confused (e.g. corrasion/corrosion)
2 Presentation of mark scheme:
• Slashes (/) or the word ‘or’ separate alternative ways of making the same point.
• Semi colons (;) bullet points (•) or figures in brackets (1) separate different points.
• Content in the answer column in brackets is for examiner information/context to clarify the
marking but is not required to earn the mark (except Accounting syllabuses where they
indicate negative numbers).
3 Calculation questions:
• The mark scheme will show the steps in the most likely correct method(s), the mark for
each step, the correct answer(s) and the mark for each answer
• If working/explanation is considered essential for full credit, this will be indicated in the
question paper and in the mark scheme. In all other instances, the correct answer to a
calculation should be given full credit, even if no supporting working is shown.
• Where the candidate uses a valid method which is not covered by the mark scheme,
award equivalent marks for reaching equivalent stages.
• Where an answer makes use of a candidate’s own incorrect figure from previous working,
the ‘own figure rule’ applies: full marks will be given if a correct and complete method is
used. Further guidance will be included in the mark scheme where necessary and any
exceptions to this general principle will be noted.
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 9084/11/M/J/26
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 Page 3 of 17
LAW 9084/11
LAW 9084/11
Paper 1 English Legal System May/June 2026
Paper 1 English Legal System May/June 2026
MARK SCHEME
1 hour 30 minutes
Maximum Mark: 75
You must answer on the enclosed answer booklet.
*
You will need: Answer booklet (enclosed)
Published
INSTRUCTIONS
● Answer seven questions in total:
Section A: answer all questions.
Section B: answer two questions. This mark scheme contains the instructions and marking guidance that our examiners used to mark
candidate responses for this component.
● Follow the instructions on the front cover of the answer booklet. If you need additional answer paper,
*
ask the invigilator for a continuation booklet. Before they start marking, examiners complete a standardisation process. They review a range of candidate
responses and discuss the mark scheme in detail to agree which answers can and cannot be accepted.
Examiners award marks where it is clear that candidate responses have met the requirements of the mark
INFORMATION scheme. These requirements may vary between different components or different versions of the same
● The total mark for this paper is 75. component, depending on the exact requirements of the question and the candidate responses seen during
● The number of marks for each question or part question is shown in brackets [ ]. the standardisation process.
Sometimes, our mark schemes may allow marks to be awarded to responses which contain elements that
are factually incorrect or for content not covered by the syllabus. We do this in response to the demands of a
specific question to support candidates and make sure that our assessments are fair. However, these
allowances should not be used as a guide for teaching and learning.
We cannot discuss the mark scheme with schools, and we recommend that schools read the mark scheme
together with the assessment material and the Principal Examiner Report for Teachers.
This document has 4 pages. Any blank pages are indicated.
DC (CE) 361592 This document consists of 17 printed pages.
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 [Turn over
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 [Turn over
, 9084/11 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme May/June 2026
2 PUBLISHED
Section A General marking principles
Answer all questions. All examiners must apply these marking principles when marking candidate responses.
1 Identify the case which allows the Court of Appeal to depart from its own previous decisions. [1] 1 Examiners must award marks for each response in line with:
• the specific content defined in the mark scheme
2 Identify two criminal offences. [2] • the specific skills defined in the mark scheme or in the level descriptions
• the standard of response required as exemplified by the standardisation scripts.
3 Explain two reasons why the Lord Chancellor might dismiss an inferior judge. [6] 2 Examiners must award whole marks (not half marks, or other fractions).
3 Examiners must award marks positively. This means that:
4 Describe the role of the Law Society and The General Council of the Bar. [6]
• marks are not deducted for errors or omissions
• marks are awarded for correct/valid answers as defined in the mark scheme and also for
5 Discuss the advantages of using the small claims procedure in the County Court. [10] other valid answers which go beyond the scope of the syllabus and mark scheme
referring to your team leader as appropriate
• the quality of spelling, punctuation and grammar are judged only when the mark scheme
indicates that these features are specifically assessed in the question. However, the
Section B meaning of all responses must be unambiguous.
Answer two questions. 4 Examiners must consistently apply the requirements of the mark scheme and any rules for
what to do when candidates have not followed instructions correctly.
6 (a) Explain how the literal and golden rules are used by judges in statutory interpretation. [10]
5 Examiners must use the full range of marks defined in the mark scheme, unless limited by
the quality of the candidate responses seen.
(b) Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of both the literal and golden rules. [15]
6 Examiners must award marks according to the mark scheme and must not award marks with
grade thresholds or grade descriptions in mind.
7 (a) Explain the effects of the Legislative and Regulatory Reform Act 2006 on
delegated legislation. [10]
(b) Discuss whether the parliamentary controls on delegated legislation are adequate. [15]
8 (a) Explain the rules set out in the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 regarding the
treatment of suspects detained at the police station. [10]
(b) Assess whether these rules provide adequate protection to those in police custody. [15]
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 9084/11/M/J/26
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 Page 2 of 17
, 9084/11 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme May/June 2026
3 PUBLISHED
BLANK PAGE Social Sciences-Specific Marking Principles
(for point-based marking)
1 Components using point-based marking:
• Point marking is often used to reward knowledge, understanding and application of skills.
We give credit where the candidate’s answer shows relevant knowledge, understanding
and application of skills in answering the question. We do not give credit where the answer
shows confusion.
From this it follows that we:
a DO credit answers which are worded differently from the mark scheme if they clearly
convey the same meaning (unless the mark scheme requires a specific term)
b DO credit alternative answers/examples which are not written in the mark scheme if they
are correct
c DO credit answers where candidates give more than one correct answer in one
prompt/numbered/scaffolded space where extended writing is required rather than list-type
answers. For example, questions that require n reasons (e.g. State two reasons …).
d DO NOT credit answers simply for using a ‘key term’ unless that is all that is required.
(Check for evidence it is understood and not used wrongly.)
e DO NOT credit answers which are obviously self-contradicting or trying to cover all
possibilities
f DO NOT give further credit for what is effectively repetition of a correct point already
credited unless the language itself is being tested. This applies equally to ‘mirror
statements’ (i.e. polluted/not polluted).
g DO NOT require spellings to be correct, unless this is part of the test. However spellings of
syllabus terms must allow for clear and unambiguous separation from other syllabus terms
with which they may be confused (e.g. corrasion/corrosion)
2 Presentation of mark scheme:
• Slashes (/) or the word ‘or’ separate alternative ways of making the same point.
• Semi colons (;) bullet points (•) or figures in brackets (1) separate different points.
• Content in the answer column in brackets is for examiner information/context to clarify the
marking but is not required to earn the mark (except Accounting syllabuses where they
indicate negative numbers).
3 Calculation questions:
• The mark scheme will show the steps in the most likely correct method(s), the mark for
each step, the correct answer(s) and the mark for each answer
• If working/explanation is considered essential for full credit, this will be indicated in the
question paper and in the mark scheme. In all other instances, the correct answer to a
calculation should be given full credit, even if no supporting working is shown.
• Where the candidate uses a valid method which is not covered by the mark scheme,
award equivalent marks for reaching equivalent stages.
• Where an answer makes use of a candidate’s own incorrect figure from previous working,
the ‘own figure rule’ applies: full marks will be given if a correct and complete method is
used. Further guidance will be included in the mark scheme where necessary and any
exceptions to this general principle will be noted.
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 9084/11/M/J/26
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 Page 3 of 17
