The system of government of the UK

К РАЗДЕЛУ 1

THE SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT OF THE UK

In theory, the constitution has three branches: Parliament, which makes laws, the government, which “executes” laws, i.e. puts them into effect, and the law courts, which interpret laws. Although the Queen is officially head of all three branches, she has little direct power.

Parliament has two parts: the House of Commons and the House of Lords. The House of Commons is presided over by the Speaker. The main function of the House of Commons is to legislate. Members of the House of Commons are elected by the voters of 650 constituencies. They are known as MPs, or Members of Parliament. The Prime Minister, or leader of the Government, is also an MP, usually the leader of the political party with a majority in the House of Commons.

The Prime Minister is advised by a Cabinet of about twenty other ministers. The Cabinet includes the ministers in charge of major government departments or ministries. Departments and ministries are run by civil servants, who are permanent officials. Even if the Government changes after an election, the same civil servants are employed.

The House of Lords consists of the Lords Temporal and the Lords Spiritual. The Lords Spiritual are the Archbishops of York and Canterbury, together with twenty-four senior bishops of the Church of England. The Lords Temporal consist of hereditary peers who have inherited their titles (their number has been cut from 790 to 90 as the result of the recent reforms); life peers (about 670 in number) who are appointed by the Queen on the advice of the Government for various services to the nation. Historically, the chairperson of the House of Lords was the Lord Chancellor. Now the head of the House of Lords is the Lord Speaker.

The House of Lords as an Upper Chamber has the primary purpose of examining Legislation proposed by the Lower House through the form of debate and through proposing amendments to legislation. Governments in recent years have used the Upper House as a variant of the Select Committee process to finalise legislation before presentation for Royal Assent.

Historically, the House of Lords held several judicial functions. Most notably, until 2009 the House of Lords served as the court of last resort for most instances of UK law. Since 1 October 2009 this role is now held by the newly created Supreme Court of the United Kingdom. It consists of 12 Justices with the President of the Supreme Court as its head. The twelve justices do not all hear every case; typically a case will be heard by a panel of five justices. The Supreme Court deals with the cases of the greatest public and constitutional importance.

The System of Government

Sovereign The Queen is head of government, she makes laws with Parliament and she is head of the courts

GOVERNMENT

PARLIAMENT

House of Commons

House of Lords

Cabinet

Chairperson: Speaker

Chairperson: Prime Minister

Chairperson: Lord Speaker

 

		Treasury Foreign Office Home Office, etc.

MP’s (650 MP’s)

Ministers

Lords

T

		Temporal

 

Vocabulary to the text

1) government [´g⋀vnmənt] – государственная власть, управление, форма правления, государственное устройство, правительство

executive government – исполнительная власть

judicial government – судебная власть

legislative government – законодательная власть

to carry out the government of a state – осуществлять руководство государством

democratic/ republican/ federal / parliamentary government – демократическая, республиканская, федеральная, парламентская форма правления

a system of government – система правления

to form the government – формировать правительство

2) branch – ветвь, отрасль

branch of law – отрасль права

3) parliament [´pa:ləmənt] – парламент, парламентский

parliamentarian – парламентарий

parliamentary – парламентский

member of Parliament – член парламента

to go through Parliament – проходить через Парламент, обсуждаться в Парламенте (о законопроекте)

a Parliament of two houses – двухпалатный парламент

4) to execute [´eksikju:t] – исполнять, совершать, осуществлять, казнить, оформлять (документ)

to execute contract – заключать контракт, исполнять договор

executive [ıg´zekjutıv] – исполнительный, административный, исполнительная власть

executive authority (power) – исполнительная власть

executive committee – исполнительный комитет

5) law court [´lכ:´kכ:t] – суд, суд общего прав

6) the House [´haus] – палата (парламента)

Lower House (Chamber) – нижняя палата

Upper House (Chamber) – верхняя палата

The House of Commons – палата общин

The House of Lords – палата лордов

7) Prime Minister [´praım ´mınıstə] – премьер-министр

8) election [ı´lekʃən] – выборы

general election – всеобщие выборы

to hold an election – проводить выборы

election campaign [kæm´peın] – избирательная кампания

to elect – избирать, назначать (на должность)

9) the Lords Temporal [´tempərəl] – светские лорды

10) the Lords Spiritual [´spırıtjuəl] – епископы – члены Парламента

11) archbishop [´a:tʃ´bıʃəp] – архиепископ

12) justice – справедливость, правосудие; судья (syn. Judge)

13) judicial [ʤu´dıʃəl] – судебный

judicial authority – судебная власть

judicial office – судебная должность

14) Lord Chancellor [´tʃa:nsələ] – лорд-канцлер

 

Exercises to the text

I. Match the following columns.

1) назначать на должность 2) власть 3) суд 4) министерство 5) отрасль 6) наследовать 7) случай, дело, прецедент 8) пэр 9) правительство 10) королева 11) Министр

a) power b) Queen c) government d) branch e) court f) ministry g) to inherit h) minister i) case j) to appoint k) peer

II. Give Russian equivalents for the following.

to hear appeal cases, to make laws, to put into effect, the leader of the political party, the party with a majority in the House of Commons, the ministers in charge of major governmental departments, to be run by civil servants, permanent officials, senior bishops, services to the nation, judicial functions, to hold judicial office, court of last resort.

 

III. Give English equivalents for the following

(Государственное) устройство, законодательная власть, исполнительная власть, судебная власть, создавать законы, исполнять законы, толковать законы, не обладать реальной властью, избирательный округ, государственный гражданский служащий, председательствовать, по совету, избираться, назначаться, унаследовать титул, верхняя палата, нижняя палата, предлагать поправки к законопроекту, Верховный суд.

 

IV. Find the derivatives in the text and translate them.

Vote, lead, major, govern, spirit, appoint.

 

V. Read and translate the following definitions.

1) law – rule established by authority or custom, regulating the behaviour of members of a community, country.

2) court – place where trials or other law cases are held.

 

VI. Put the following into the interrogative form.

1. The constitution has three branches.

2. The government puts laws into effect.

3. The Prime Minister is usually the leader of the political party with a majority in the House of Commons.

4. The Prime Minister is advised by a Cabinet.

5. The Cabinet includes the ministers in charge of major government departments and ministries.

6. Life peers are appointed by the Queen on the advice of the Government for various services to the nation.

VI. Complete this diagram.

The Sovereign

 

VII. Correct the following statements.

1. The Queen of England has direct power.

2. Parliament interprets laws.

3. Members of Parliament are not elected.

4. If the Government changes all the civil servants are unemployed.

5. Life peers inherit their titles.

6. The Lords Spiritual are appointed by the Prime Minister on the advice of the Government.

7. The Lord Chancellor is a chairperson of the House of Commons.

 

VIII. Answer the following questions.

1. What are 3 branches of power?

2. What type of state system (government) has the UK?

3. What are the functions of the Sovereign? Name the present-day monarch of the UK.

4. What kind of Parliament does the UK have?

5. How many members are there in the House of Commons?

6. What is the main function of the House of Commons?

7. Who usually becomes the Prime Minister? Name the present-day Prime Minister of the UK.

8. What are main political parties in the UK? What party is the leading one now? What is the opposing party?

9. What are civil servants?

10. What is the difference between life peers and hereditary peers, Lords Temporal and Lords Spiritual?

11. What is the main function of the House of Lords?

12. Which areas of government do these people deal with: the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Home Secretary, the Lord Chancellor?

13. What is now the highest judicial body in the UK? What body served as the court of last resort until 2009?

IX. Work in pairs and discuss the following.

1. What differences are there between Parliament and the Government?

2. What are the similarities and differences between the UK parliamentary system and that of your country?

 

К РАЗДЕЛУ 3

LEGAL PROFESSIONS

 

Text 1

Attorney

Depending upon the circumstances and the needs of the client, the lawyer may be a counselor, a negotiator, and/or a litigator. In each of these roles, the lawyer will need to engage in factual investigation.

With respect to each of these roles, the lawyer will do the following:

Counselor: Attorney will help advise the client how to order the client's affairs.

Negotiator: Lawyer will work with opposing counsel to try to get a fa­vorable resolution for the client. The art of negotiation involves many tech­niques individual to particular attorneys and the circumstances. The client always retains the right to accept or reject a settlement negotiated or of­fered by the opposing party.

Litigator: In litigating, the attorney will help pick a jury and participate in pre-trial motions.

Fact Investigator: All of the lawyer's roles require the investigation of relevant facts, including locating and interviewing witnesses.

A lawyer is to be a zealous advocate of the client, in this respect the lawyer must advocate on the client's behalf and avoid conflicts of interest. The lawyer is also an officer of the court and is required to deal fairly and honestly with the court and with its other officers, including the lawyer's opponents.

Judge

The judge is the final arbiter of the law. The judge is charged with the duty to state, as a positive matter, what the law is. In addition, the judge is to maintain order in the courtroom.

Judges in federal courts are appointed by the President with the "advice and consent" of the Senate. Many state court judges are elected by popular vote.

 

Jury

The jury, a group of local citizens, is the fact-finder in most trials. The jury will receive instructions from the judge as to the law, and its members will assess the facts as they perceive them in light of the law, as instructed, to return a verdict.

Notes

1. attorney – поверенный

2. counselor – адвокат (США)

3. negotiator – посредник

4. litigator – сторона в судебном процессе

5. to engage in factual investigation – заниматься фактическим расследованием

6. to order the client's affairs — приводить в порядок дела клиента

7. to get a favorable resolution — добиться благоприятного решения

8. the art of negotiation — искусство ведения переговоров

9. to retain the right — сохранять право

10. to accept — принимать

11. to reject — отклонять

12. motion — ходатайство

13. to locate — устанавливать местонахождение

14. to be charged with the duty – иметь обязательства

15. to maintain order — поддерживать порядок

16. to assess the facts — оценивать факты

17. to perceive — понимать, осознавать

18. in the light of the law — в свете закона

19. to return a verdict — вынести вердикт

Exercises to the text

Answer the questions.

1. What is the main difference between the American legal profession and the English one?

2. What are the main roles of a lawyer? What are the functions of a lawyer in each of these roles?

3. What does the art of negotiation involve?

4. What is a judge? What are his/her duties?

5. Who are the judges in federal courts appointed by?

6. What are the main functions of the jury?

Text 2

Exercises to the text

Match the columns.

1. обеспечивать защиту 2. составлять юридические документы 3. предоставлять юридическую помощь 4. представлять истца в суде 5. давать рекомендации

a. to draft legal documents b. to represent a plaintiff c. to counsel people d. to provide defense e. to render legal assistance

 

Answer the questions.

1. How is the college of advocates organized?

2. What does the work of an advocate involve?

3. What are the functions of in-house counsels? Why has the number of in-house counsels increased lately?

4.Why is the legal profession gaining popularity in Russia?

5.What research centers in law can you name?

 

Text 3

ENTERING THE PROFESSION

Read the text. Then agree or disagree with the statement: "It's very difficult to become a lawyer."

How does someone become a lawyer?

In some countries in order to practise as a lawyer it is necessary to get a university degree in law. However, in others, a degree may be insufficient; professional examinations must be passed. In Britain, it is not in fact nec­essary to have a degree, although nowadays most people entering the pro­fession do. The main requirement is to pass the Bar Final examination* (for barristers) or the Law Society Final examination* (for solicitors). Someone with university degree in a subject other than law needs first to take a pre­paratory course. Someone without a degree at all may also prepare for the final examination, but this will take several years. In most countries, law­yers will tell you that the time they spent studying for their law finals was one of the worst periods of their life! This is because an enormous number of procedural rules covering a wide area of law must be memorized. In Japan, where there are relatively few lawyers, the examinations are sup­posed to be particularly hard: less than 5 percent of candidates pass. Even after passing the examination, though, a lawyer is not necessarily qualified A solicitor in England, for example, must then spend two years as an arti­cled clerk, during this time his work is closely supervised by an experienced lawyer, and he must take further courses. A barrister must spend a similar year as a pupil.

The rate at which the legal profession grows is terrific. In the 21^st cen­tury the number of lawyers will probably outpace the rate of population growth.

Why is the career in law so popular? In the USA the average salary оf experienced lawyers in private practice is more than $100,000.

Lawyers' salaries are substantially greater than those of many other professionals. The glamour of legal practice strengthens the attraction of its financial rewards..

* the Bar Final examination — экзамен, который сдают при поступлении в Коллегию адвокатов

* the Law Society Final examination — экзамен, дающий право быть членом Общества юристов (профессионального союза солиситоров)

Notes

1. degree — знание, степень

2. insufficient — недостаточный

3. to pass exams — сдавать экзамены

4. requirement — требование

5. to take a course — пройти учебный курс

6. finals — выпускные экзамены

7. articled clerk — клерк-стажёр (без жалования)

8. to supervise — наблюдать (за кем-то), руководить (кем-то)

9. to outpace — опережать, превышать

10. salary — заработная плата, получаемая ежемесячно

11. to strengthen — усиливать, укреплять

Exercises

1. Give English equivalents to the following Russian words and word-combinations:

стать юристом, получить университетскую степень, недостаточный, сдавать экзамены, пройти подготовительный курс, основное требование, выпускные экзамены в области юриспруденции, пять процентов кандидатов, за его работой наблюдают, средняя заработная плата, опережать рост населения, клерк-стажёр.

2. Choose the correct definition of the term "an articled clerk":

a) an inexperienced lawyer;

b) a lawyer who failed his final exam;

c) a post which a solicitor in England has for two years after passing
Law Society Final exam.

3. Circle a); b) or с) to complete the sentence.

1) The British lawyers are required____.

a) to pass professional exams;

b) to work as a clerk for 5 years after graduating from a university;

c) wear black suits

2) The requirements for barristers and solicitors are__.

a) identical;

b) partially identical;

c) different

3) In Japan the professional law exams are____.

a) difficult to pass;

b) not practised;

c) easy to pass

4) A barrister must work for a year as ___.

a) an articled clerk;

b) a pupil;

c) an attorney

5) The average salary of an experienced lawyer is__.

a) very low;

b) ridiculous;

c) much higher than those of other professionals.

 

Answer the questions.

1. Is it sufficient to get a university degree in order to practice as a lawyer?

2. What is the Bar Final examination? What is the Law Society Final examination?

3. Can lawyers start their private practice after passing these exams?

4. Why is the career in law so popular?

5. What should a university graduate with a degree in law do to become an advocate, a notary, a judge in Russia?

6. Can a university graduate with a degree in law start his/her professional career in Russia right after graduation? What professions can he/she choose?

Text 4

LEGAL SECRETARIES

Lawyers need legal secretaries in order to run their office properly. Legal secretaries are also called legal administrative assistants and assist with the preparation and processing of legal documents required for court. Legal secretaries usually spend a lot of their time communicating with people, either on the phone or in person. Serving as a link between lawyers and the clients, they keep everyone informed regarding progress of cases and relations to other legal matters.

Job description

Legal secretaries spend time dealing with other secretaries and assistants in offices. Those who work in large and medium-size firms, usually tend to specialize in one area of law. For example, a legal secretary and family law may have spent a lot of time preparing documents regarding separations, divorces and adoptions.

In addition, legal secretaries keep lawyers organized and prepared. They make sure the lawyer is aware of current issues and that these issues are being dealt with correctly. Legal secretaries are well versed with telephone calls and forwarding messages.

Working conditions

Legal secretaries can be found in lawyer’s offices, in government departments or in other organizations that employ lawyers. Many legal secretaries usually work the regular Monday to Friday work week, with normal working hours. Some who work in very large firms may have to work late in order to take care of the work that must be completed in next day.

This job can be demanding and difficult because very often clients are stressed out and vulnerable. A legal secretary who is the only assistant to a lawyer, may have to run the office on their own if their lawyer is away on business or in court. Legal secretaries must also be familiar with computers.

Earnings

Salaries for this position are based on location and the employer. Big law firms usually pay the most, followed by government salaries. Most legal secretaries work full-time and start anywhere between 25,000 to 35,000 the year, the average salary for a legal secretary is close to 36,000 per year.

Experienced secretaries can make as much a 60,000 to 80,000 per year, but they must have many years of experience. Full-time legal secretaries usually receive benefits such as health insurance, dental and pension plans. They are also given paid sick leave and vacation time.

Education

Several colleges and other institutions offer programs for legal secretaries that are for 1 to 2 years. Entrance to this program usually requires a high school diploma and some knowledge relating to law. You should also have good skills in writing and oral skills. Also, you should have a lot of organizational and research skills.

 

Лексический минимум

1. the system of government – система государственного устройства

2. legislative power – законодательная власть

3. executive power – исполнительная власть

4. judicial power – судебная власть

5. to legislate / to make laws – создавать законы

6. to execute laws / to put into effect – исполнять законы

7. to administer justice – отправлять правосудие

8. the head of a state – глава государства

9. to be elected – быть избранным

10. to be appointed – быть назначенным

11. The House of Representatives – Палата Представителей

12. the House of Commons / the House of Lords - Палата Общин / Палата Лордов

13. presidential election – президентские выборы

14. legal system – судебная система

15. trial court – суд первой инстанции

16. lower courts – нижестоящие суды

17. higher courts – вышестоящие суды

18. magistrates’ court – магистратский суд / мировой суд

19. a magistrate / a justice of the peace – мировой судья

20. Crown Court – Уголовный суд присяжных

21. County Court – суд графства (Англия), районный суд (США)

22. US District Court – районный суд США

23. US Circuit Court of Appeal – окружной апелляционный суд США

24. juvenile court – суд по делам несовершеннолетних

25. the Supreme Court – Верховный суд

26. civil / criminal cases – гражданские / уголовные дела

27. to hear / to try / to consider a case / an appeal – рассматривать дело / апелляцию

28. to appeal the decision of a trial court – подавать апелляцию на решение суда первой инстанции

29. the European Court of Human Rights – Европейский суд по правам человека

30. to consider evidence – рассматривать улики

31. to listen to testimony – слушать свидетельские показания

32. to pass a judgment – выносить судебное решение

33. a witness - свидетель

34. to witness smth. – быть свидетелем чего-либо

35. to interview a witness – опрашивать свидетеля

36. a barrister – барристер

37. a solicitor – солиситор

38. in-house / corporate counsel – юрисконсульт компании

39. an attorney – адвокат

40. to counsel people – консультировать людей

41. to represent a client in court – представлять клиента в суде

42. to draft legal documents – составлять юридические документы

APPENDIX

TEST YOURSELF (1)

 

Part 1

I. Make up 6 pairs of synonyms and translate them:

to execute, power, to consist of, sovereign, to discuss, to legislate, to debate, to be composed of, authority, to make laws, to put into effect, monarch

 

II. Choose the right word to fill in the gap and translate the sentences:

1. Parliament has ______ power.

a) executive b) judicial c) legislative

2. The highest judicial power belongs to _____.

a) the House of Lords b) the Supreme Court c) archbishops

3. The Queen has little direct ______.

a) effect b) power c) office

4. ______ is the chairperson of the House of Lords.

a) The Speaker b) The Home Secretary c) The Lord Chancellor

5. ______ has more power in law-making process in the UK.

a) The House of Lords b) The House of Commons c) The Cabinet

 

Part 2

III. Write down 4 types of questions.

1. St. Paul’s Cathedral was built during Norman times.

2. The men will be paid £200 for their work.

 

IV. Change the Voice: a) Active into Passive; b) Passive into Active.

a) 1. Parliament makes laws.

2. The teacher punished the boy for that.

3. The police have already arrested two men.

4. You can find this information in the Constitution.

b) 1. The ministers of the Cabinet are chosen by the Prime Minister.

2. Members of the House of Commons are elected by the British people.

3. Life peers are appointed by the Queen.

4. The telephone was invented by Alexander Bell in 1876.

 

V. Put the verb into the correct form in Passive:

1. Great Britain (wash) by the North Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.

2. The news (announce) tomorrow.

3. How many languages (speak) in Canada?

4. The car (steal) yesterday.

5. I can’t use the office at the moment. It (clean).

6. My friend (already/finish) the translation of the text.

 

VI. Translate into English.

1. Этот законопроект был обсужден в прошлом году.

2. Этот законопроект обсуждается сейчас в прессе.

3. Этот законопроект только что был обсужден в Палате Общин.

4. Этот законопроект будет обсужден в следующем месяце.

 

 

TEST YOURSELF (2)

 

I. Complete the sentences:

1) A lot of interesting subjects (изучаются) by the students.

2) She said that lectures on law (посещаются) by many students.

3) I (не видела) the dean today.

4) He (опубликовал) his article this year.

 

II. Translate the sentences defining the tense of the verbs:

1) He made a mistake in his dictation.

2) He had finished his work by that time.

3) She is going to the Institute.

4) Dinner will have been cooked.

5) I shall be working at 3 o’clock tomorrow.

6) The work had been done by this time yesterday.

7) He speaks English very fluently.

8) Punishment must be aimed at reforming criminals.

 

III. Choose the correct version:

1) You are asked for by the dean.

a) Вас спрашивал декан.

b) Вы спрашивали декана.

c) Вас просит декан.

2) This conference is much spoken about.

a) Поговорим об этой конференции.

b) Об этой конференции много говорят.

c) Надо много говорить об этой конференции.

3) The letter has been translated into English.

a) Письмо переводят на английский.

b) Письмо переведут на английский.

c) Письмо было переведено на английский.

4) He will come to the court.

a) Он приходит в суд.

b) Он придёт в суд.

c) Он пришёл в суд.

5) He was asked to try this case.

a) Он попросил расследовать это дело.

b) Его попросили расследовать это дело.

c) Его попросят расследовать это дело.

6) She is asked to come.

a) Она просит прийти.

b) Её просят прийти.

c) Её просили прийти.

 

 

IV. Translate the sentences into Russian:

1) She was given some articles to translate.

2) He has been asked to try this case.

3) The project will not be finished tomorrow.

4) Sometimes crimes are committed in groups.

5) The train was stopped by him.

6) More important cases are heard by the courts of the second instance.

7) That law was adopted in 1969.

8) The convicted was sent to prison.

9) Their books have been translated into English.

10) New houses are being built in our town.

11) The problem is being talked much about.

 

V. Put all kinds of questions and translate the sentences:

1) They will be invited there.

2) The act done was defined as a crime.

3) Laws affecting life of citizens are enforced by the police.

 

VI. Define the part of speech of –ed-forms. Translate the sentences:

1) Later on really a robber stopped the coach and demanded the money.

2) The suspect had an affected, absent way of talking.

3) She begged now to excuse her and awarded the man with one hundred dollars.

 

VII. Complete the sentences:

1) I showed her the book … by my brother. (writing, written)

2) We spoke about the holidays …in Moscow. (spent, spending)

3) The student …football is my brother. (played, playing)

4) The girl… through magazines is a second year student. (looking, looked)

5) We admired the picture… by the student. (painted, painting)

6) The girl …with you is our monitor. (talked, talking)

 

 

TEST YOURSELF (3)

I. Arrange the following words in pairs of synonyms:

To carry out, constitution, freedom, to execute, circuit, to rule, liberty, to govern, independent, set of rules and laws, free, county

 

II.Match the following expressions:

1) a governor a) посол

2) an ambassador b) округ

3) to carry out c) представитель

4) an amendment d) проходить обе палаты

5) district court e) назначать

6) Chief Justice f) поправка

7) circuit g) губернатор

8) a representative h) исполнять

9) election campaign i) Председатель Верховного суда

10) politician j) окружной суд

11) to pass both the Houses k) избирательная кампания

12) to appoint l) политик

 

III. Put all types of questions to the sentence:

The Constitution has been repeatedly amended to meet the changing needs of the nation.

 

IV.Choose the right word to fill in the gap:

1) Congress has ______ power.

a) executive b) judicial c) legislative

2) The highest judicial organ in the USA is _____.

a) the High Court of Justice b) the Supreme Court c) the Federal Court of Appeal

3) The Constitution of the United States was adopted in ______.

a) 1787 b) 1786 c) 1789

 

V. Choose the right answer:

1) The first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution are called:

a) the Preamble

b) the Bill of Rights

c) the Articles of Confederation

2) How many representatives does each state have in the House of Representatives?

a) 2

b) the number depends on the area of a state

c) the number depends on the population of a state

3) Who is a lobbyist?

a) A person who is paid and who tries to persuade a government that a particular law should be changed

b) Someone who lives in a particular city, country or state and has rights and responsibilities there

c) An important official who represents his or her government in a foreign country

 

VI. Translate the following sentences into English:

1) 10 поправок к Конституции содержат основные права человека.

2) В состав Сената входят два представителя от каждого штата, избираемые сроком на 6 лет.

3) Президентские выборы проводятся каждые четыре года в ноябре.

4) Законодательная власть принадлежит Конгрессу, состоящему из двух палат.

5) Президент назначает глав министерств, послов в другие страны и федеральных судей.

 

TEST YOURSELF (4)

 

I. Make up sentences matching these two columns and translate the sentences:

A prosecutor is Juvenile courts are The European court of Justice is The magistrates’ court is A barrister is Juries are Queen’s Counsel is

– situated in Luxembourg – a lawyer who has the right to represent his clients in higher courts – courts which deal with offenders under seventeen – the title of the highest level of barristers – the most common type of court in England and Wales – usually used in certain criminal cases – a lawyer who carries on legal proceedings against a person or an organization

 

II. Make up 5 pairs of synonyms and translate them:

innocent, a defendant, trade law, a magistrate, penal law, not guilty, commercial law, justice of the peace, criminal law, the accused.

III. Choose the most suitable word to fill in the gap and translate the sentences:

1. In English courts the punishment is passed by _____.

a) the jury b) the presiding judge c) the clerk of the court

2. The training and career structures for barristers and solicitors are quite ____.

a) the same b) original c) different

3. In England jurors _____ at random from Electoral Register.

a) are chosen b) choose c) chose

4. Magistrates don’t usually get _____ for their work.

a) prizes b) titles c) salaries

5. The jury decide whether _____ is guilty or innocent.

a) the counsel for the defense b) the defendant c) the investigator

6. Criminal appeals _____ in the Crown Court.

a) heard b) hear c) are heard

7. Countycourts _____ with civil cases.

a) are dealt b) deal c) have dealt

8. Barristers specialize _____ representing clients in higher courts.

a) in b) on c) with

 

К РАЗДЕЛУ 1

THE SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT OF THE UK

In theory, the constitution has three branches: Parliament, which makes laws, the government, which “executes” laws, i.e. puts them into effect, and the law courts, which interpret laws. Although the Queen is officially head of all three branches, she has little direct power.

Parliament has two parts: the House of Commons and the House of Lords. The House of Commons is presided over by the Speaker. The main function of the House of Commons is to legislate. Members of the House of Commons are elected by the voters of 650 constituencies. They are known as MPs, or Members of Parliament. The Prime Minister, or leader of the Government, is also an MP, usually the leader of the political party with a majority in the House of Commons.

The Prime Minister is advised by a Cabinet of about twenty other ministers. The Cabinet includes the ministers in charge of major government departments or ministries. Departments and ministries are run by civil servants, who are permanent officials. Even if the Government changes after an election, the same civil servants are employed.

The House of Lords consists of the Lords Temporal and the Lords Spiritual. The Lords Spiritual are the Archbishops of York and Canterbury, together with twenty-four senior bishops of the Church of England. The Lords Temporal consist of hereditary peers who have inherited their titles (their number has been cut from 790 to 90 as the result of the recent reforms); life peers (about 670 in number) who are appointed by the Queen on the advice of the Government for various services to the nation. Historically, the chairperson of the House of Lords was the Lord Chancellor. Now the head of the House of Lords is the Lord Speaker.

The House of Lords as an Upper Chamber has the primary purpose of examining Legislation proposed by the Lower House through the form of debate and through proposing amendments to legislation. Governments in recent years have used the Upper House as a variant of the Select Committee process to finalise legislation before presentation for Royal Assent.

Historically, the House of Lords held several judicial functions. Most notably, until 2009 the House of Lords served as the court of last resort for most instances of UK law. Since 1 October 2009 this role is now held by the newly created Supreme Court of the United Kingdom. It consists of 12 Justices with the President of the Supreme Court as its head. The twelve justices do not all hear every case; typically a case will be heard by a panel of five justices. The Supreme Court deals with the cases of the greatest public and constitutional importance.

The System of Government

Sovereign The Queen is head of government, she makes laws with Parliament and she is head of the courts

GOVERNMENT

PARLIAMENT

House of Commons

House of Lords

Cabinet

Chairperson: Speaker

Chairperson: Prime Minister

Chairperson: Lord Speaker

 

		Treasury Foreign Office Home Office, etc.

MP’s (650 MP’s)

Ministers

Lords

T

		Temporal

 

Vocabulary to the text

1) government [´g⋀vnmənt] – государственная власть, управление, форма правления, государственное устройство, правительство

executive government – исполнительная власть

judicial government – судебная власть

legislative government – законодательная власть

to carry out the government of a state – осуществлять руководство государством

democratic/ republican/ federal / parliamentary government – демократическая, республиканская, федеральная, парламентская форма правления

a system of government – система правления

to form the government – формировать правительство

2) branch – ветвь, отрасль

branch of law – отрасль права

3) parliament [´pa:ləmənt] – парламент, парламентский

parliamentarian – парламентарий

parliamentary – парламентский

member of Parliament – член парламента

to go through Parliament – проходить через Парламент, обсуждаться в Парламенте (о законопроекте)

a Parliament of two houses – двухпалатный парламент

4) to execute [´eksikju:t] – исполнять, совершать, осуществлять, казнить, оформлять (документ)

to execute contract – заключать контракт, исполнять договор

executive [ıg´zekjutıv] – исполнительный, административный, исполнительная власть

executive authority (power) – исполнительная власть

executive committee – исполнительный комитет

5) law court [´lכ:´kכ:t] – суд, суд общего прав

6) the House [´haus] – палата (парламента)

Lower House (Chamber) – нижняя палата

Upper House (Chamber) – верхняя палата

The House of Commons – палата общин

The House of Lords – палата лордов

7) Prime Minister [´praım ´mınıstə] – премьер-министр

8) election [ı´lekʃən] – выборы

general election – всеобщие выборы

to hold an election – проводить выборы

election campaign [kæm´peın] – избирательная кампания

to elect – избирать, назначать (на должность)

9) the Lords Temporal [´tempərəl] – светские лорды

10) the Lords Spiritual [´spırıtjuəl] – епископы – члены Парламента

11) archbishop [´a:tʃ´bıʃəp] – архиепископ

12) justice – справедливость, правосудие; судья (syn. Judge)

13) judicial [ʤu´dıʃəl] – судебный

judicial authority – судебная власть

judicial office – судебная должность

14) Lord Chancellor [´tʃa:nsələ] – лорд-канцлер

 

Exercises to the text

I. Match the following columns.

1) назначать на должность 2) власть 3) суд 4) министерство 5) отрасль 6) наследовать 7) случай, дело, прецедент 8) пэр 9) правительство 10) королева 11) Министр

a) power b) Queen c) government d) branch e) court f) ministry g) to inherit h) minister i) case j) to appoint k) peer

II. Give Russian equivalents for the following.

to hear appeal cases, to make laws, to put into effect, the leader of the political party, the party with a majority in the House of Commons, the ministers in charge of major governmental departments, to be run by civil servants, permanent officials, senior bishops, services to the nation, judicial functions, to hold judicial office, court of last resort.

 

III. Give English equivalents for the following

(Государственное) устройство, законодательная власть, исполнительная власть, судебная власть, создавать законы, исполнять законы, толковать законы, не обладать реальной властью, избирательный округ, государственный гражданский служащий, председательствовать, по совету, избираться, назначаться, унаследовать титул, верхняя палата, нижняя палата, предлагать поправки к законопроекту, Верховный суд.

 

IV. Find the derivatives in the text and translate them.

Vote, lead, major, govern, spirit, appoint.

 

V. Read and translate the following definitions.

1) law – rule established by authority or custom, regulating the behaviour of members of a community, country.

2) court – place where trials or other law cases are held.

 

VI. Put the following into the interrogative form.

1. The constitution has three branches.

2. The government puts laws into effect.

3. The Prime Minister is usually the leader of the political party with a majority in the House of Commons.

4. The Prime Minister is advised by a Cabinet.

5. The Cabinet includes the ministers in charge of major government departments and ministries.

6. Life peers are appointed by the Queen on the advice of the Government for various services to the nation.

VI. Complete this diagram.

The Sovereign

 

VII. Correct the following statements.

1. The Queen of England has direct power.

2. Parliament interprets laws.

3. Members of Parliament are not elected.

4. If the Government changes all the civil servants are unemployed.

5. Life peers inherit their titles.

6. The Lords Spiritual are appointed by the Prime Minister on the advice of the Government.

7. The Lord Chancellor is a chairperson of the House of Commons.

 

VIII. Answer the following questions.

1. What are 3 branches of power?

2. What type of state system (government) has the UK?

3. What are the functions of the Sovereign? Name the present-day monarch of the UK.

4. What kind of Parliament does the UK have?

5. How many members are there in the House of Commons?

6. What is the main function of the House of Commons?

7. Who usually becomes the Prime Minister? Name the present-day Prime Minister of the UK.

8. What are main political parties in the UK? What party is the leading one now? What is the opposing party?

9. What are civil servants?

10. What is the difference between life peers and hereditary peers, Lords Temporal and Lords Spiritual?

11. What is the main function of the House of Lords?

12. Which areas of government do these people deal with: the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Home Secretary, the Lord Chancellor?

13. What is now the highest judicial body in the UK? What body served as the court of last resort until 2009?

IX. Work in pairs and discuss the following.

1. What differences are there between Parliament and the Government?

2. What are the similarities and differences between the UK parliamentary system and that of your country?

 

К РАЗДЕЛУ 3

LEGAL PROFESSIONS

 

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