Cambridge don't take GCSE grades into account as much as Oxford (you probably wouldn't stand a chance if you applied to Oxford as they score you on your GCSEs). However if you apply to cambridge and have a good admissions test score and interview that would definitely outweigh bad GCSEs.
Would this also be the case with competitive courses such as economics and law?
Would this also be the case with competitive courses such as economics and law?
I mean it would probably look bad, especially since they don't do AS levels anymore so your GCSEs are the only indicator they have of exam performance, so they will take them into account (more so now than they use to). However if you took a year out and applied with you grades (assuming you did very well) then your GCSEs would be taken into account less.