AQA A Level Law The Sexual Offences Act and Knuller Student Handout with activities and questions

This is a 16-page student Handout and activity sheet which covers a vital topic in A2 Law.

Written by an experienced Examiner and used with his classes over the years.

Here’s a summary of the document:

The Handoutt discusses the relationship between law and morality, focusing on the Sexual Offences Act (1967) and the case of DPP v Knuller (1972). It explores how legal decisions reflect societal changes and moral debates.

• Sexual Offences Act (1967): The Sexual Offences Act (1967) partially decriminalized homosexual acts between consenting adults over 21 in private, following the recommendations of the Wolfenden Report (1957).
• Wolfenden Report: The Wolfenden Report recommended decriminalizing private homosexual acts between consenting adults over 21, sparking significant public debate and influencing the Sexual Offences Act.
• Homosexual Law Reform Society: The Homosexual Law Reform Society, founded in 1958, aimed to persuade Parliament to reform laws on homosexuality, highlighting the societal shift in moral values.
• Law Lords’ Decision: In DPP v Knuller, the Law Lords upheld the conviction for conspiracy to corrupt public morals but quashed the conviction for outrage public decency, citing the need to consider contemporary standards.
• Case of Re A (Children): The case of Re A (Children) involved the separation of conjoined twins, with the Court of Appeal deciding based on the lesser of two evils, emphasizing the moral complexities in legal decisions.
• Pretty and Purdy Cases: The cases of Pretty and Purdy addressed the issue of assisted suicide, with courts emphasizing that changes to the law are a matter for Parliament, not the judiciary.