A321
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; Flight Crew FLC complied w / Automation / Advisory
Aircraft
While climbing through approximately 7;000 feet MSL on departure the airplane reverted to alternate law. After completing ECAM procedure and consulting the QRH; I contacted maintenance via radio. Maintenance deferred me to Maintenance Control via ACARS. Neither maintenance contacts had any ideas or explanations for me. We then [requested priority handling] and informed ATC of our intention to return to land. I also spoke to dispatch via ACARS regarding the diversion and landing performance data. I then briefed the flight attendants and passengers; telling them we were returning. The aircraft reverted to direct law when the landing gear was lowered (as expected). I then executed an uneventful landing.I do not know why the aircraft reverted to alternate law; but I intend to follow up with maintenance.
[Report narrative contained no additional information.]
A321 crew on departure received an alert that the flight control system had reverted to alternate law. Crew returned for landing at departure airport. Aircraft reverted to direct law when landing gear was lowered.