Will the pilot be aware that he's in abnormal Law? (and the portents of that)" The answer might well be: "Probably not" (there's nothing to promote awareness of this being the case i.e. no aural annunciation - and thus we arrive at: what now needs to be done that's essential for recovery?)
AH no??? The PF announces Alternate Law when he takes manual control of the aircraft. It is in one of the first lines in the BEA communication !!!
He's talking about Abnormal law, not Alternate law. The relevant difference here being autotrim not working in Abnormal law.