Evaluate the administration and interpretation of law by two rulers, each chosen from a different region.

The question requires that candidates make an appraisal of the administration and interpretation of law by two rulers weighing up the strengths and limitations or otherwise. The two rulers must be from different regions. Candidates may offer equal coverage of both rulers or they may prioritize their evaluation of one of them. However, both rulers will be a feature of the response. Candidates may refer to origin of the law (for example tribal custom, accepted philosophy or religious guidelines) and evaluate the extent of its acceptance. Candidates may also evaluate, depending on the chosen examples, the impact of the creation of a comprehensive legal code; law in the form of several complementary texts, or a body of knowledge transmitted orally in societies with no writing system, as done by the Incas. Candidates may evaluate how the organisation of the law may have eased or hindered its administration and interpretation. Candidates may also discuss the uniformity in the application of the law and whether sanctions were applied consistently across different groups/classes by the ruler. Candidates may also evaluate, for example, whether some communities may have had some degree of autonomy in legal matters. Candidates’ opinions or conclusions will be presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence.

The question required that candidates make an appraisal of the administration and interpretation of law by two rulers. Each example was to be chosen from a different region. There were a few responses seen with some good knowledge of the topic.