Kirstey, I think your first post was right. This is somthing I have specifically checked with the CAA bacause I talked to several instructors and each told me a slightly different story.
12 months to pass all 7 exams (RT theory included but not oral). 24 months from date of last pass to license application. No specific exception for air law.
It does worry me that the instructors/CFI don't know the rules, especially at a club with several hundred student members! This is a big issue for me at the moment becuase I still have 3 exams to sit before the end of next week. I thought it was two but didn't find out about RT written until I called the CAA.