The A-level Law (7162 )course offers a broad introduction to the field of law, its foundations, and core elements. Here are some of the key merits of this course:

1. Comprehensive Overview: The A-level Law 7162 course is structured to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the UK's legal system, including both criminal and civil law. The knowledge acquired can be very useful for those considering a career in law or related fields.

2. Critical Thinking: The course helps to foster analytical and critical thinking skills. It encourages students to scrutinize laws and legal systems, their impact on society, and their ethical implications. This critical thinking development is not only beneficial for law-related careers but also across a wide spectrum of professions.

3. Communication Skills: The course helps to improve students' written and verbal communication skills. Effective communication is crucial in the field of law where complex ideas and arguments need to be articulated clearly and persuasively.

4. Debating Skills: In studying law, students learn to develop and defend arguments, enabling them to improve their debating skills. This is useful not just in a law career but in any field that requires negotiation or persuasion.

5. Broad Applicability: The knowledge and skills acquired through the A-level Law 7162 course have broad applicability. They are useful in various fields such as journalism, business, politics, and public service, among others. Even if the student doesn't pursue law as a career, understanding the legal framework can be beneficial in their personal and professional life.

6. Progression to Higher Education: A-level Law 7162 serves as a stepping stone towards further studies in law at the undergraduate level and beyond. This course provides a solid foundation for those considering studying law at the university level.

7. Understanding of Rights and Responsibilities: This course gives students a better understanding of their rights and responsibilities within society. Such an understanding is crucial for informed citizenship.

However, it's also worth noting that while the A-level Law 7162 provides a broad introduction to law, some top universities in the UK prefer that students study law for the first time at the undergraduate level. It is always recommended for students to check specific entry requirements for their chosen course and university. Also, the skills developed through the study of other A-Level subjects like History, English, or Philosophy can also be beneficial in the study of law at the university level.

The assessment typically includes three separate exam papers:

• Paper 1: The Nature of Law and the English Legal System, and Criminal Law: This paper typically covers the nature of law and the English legal system and criminal law. It is designed to test students' knowledge and understanding of legal rules, legal issues, and the legal framework of the UK, along with an exploration of criminal law.

• Paper 2: The Nature of Law and the English Legal System, and Tort Law: This paper usually explores tort law in addition to the nature of law and the English legal system. It assesses students' understanding of civil wrongs and how the law deals with them.

• Paper 3: Law of Contract OR Human Rights: For this paper, students typically have a choice between contract law and human rights. The selection offers the chance to delve deeper into a specific area of law, either focusing on the rules and principles of contracts or the human rights framework in the UK.

Each of these papers generally lasts for two hours, and each contributes an equal portion (i.e., a third) to the final A-Level grade.

Students are usually expected to answer a mixture of short answer, multiple-choice, and extended writing/essay questions that test their knowledge of legal principles, their understanding of the relationships between different areas of law, and their ability to apply legal principles to factual scenarios.

Please note that the exact structure and content of the course might have changed if you're asking after my last training data in September 2021, and it may also vary between different exam boards. You should always check the most recent specification from your exam board to get the most accurate and up-to-date information.