III. Read the part “Equity”. In pairs find different information.

A. Find information about:

 

1. drawbacks of the common law courts;

2. how the Court of Chancery appeared;

3. the example illustrating how the common law courts & the Court of Chancery could differ;

4. the reputation the Court of Chancery earned with the passage of time.

 

 

1. Find information about:

 

1. petitioning the King to “redress the grievances”;

2. three important conditions which a person seeking justice from the Court of Chancery had to meet;

3. why the Court of Requests came under mighty attacks from the common law courts;

4. the example where the courts have refused to alter the law, but recommended that Parliament should consider reform.

 

IV. Draw up the plan for rendering the text and then summarize it.

V. Discuss these issues.

 

1. Can you name any drawbacks of the Common law courts of the past and present?

2. Find the description of the ordinary reasonable man given by Lord Justice Bowen. How would you describe the ordinary reasonable man of our country?

3. No doubt that over centuries judges have been responsible for making a great deal of law and English senior judges are still doing so. If not how would the common law and the law of equity have developed?

 

VI. Find the information in the Internet on the following themes and make presentations in class.

 

1. In 1999 Lord Justice Carnwatch, then Chairman of the Law Commission, referred to it as “ tired, confused old workhorse long overdue for reform.” How has the situation with the Law Commission changed since then? Is there a move towards the creation of a Criminal Code which would set out in one document the main principles of criminal law?

2. Doctrine of precedent.

3. Equitable maxims, their Russian equivalents and examples.

4. Civil law vs. Common law.

5. Focus on Russia: Sources of Law.

 

Chapter IV

The Invisible Palace Part II

The Constitution

Vocabulary List

1. exercise the power – применять (осуществлять, использовать) власть.

2. draw up the Constitution – написать Конституцию.

3. pass the law – принять закон.

4. statute – статут.

5. be voted in – быть избранным.

6. enforce the law – прoводить закон в жизнь.

7. come into force – вступить в силу.

8. rehabilitation – восстановление в правах, реабилитация.

9. convention – обычай; международный договор, конвенция.

10. sovereign – монарх.

11. coercion – принуждение.

12. coercive – принудительный.

13. the top committee of government – главный орган управления.

14. officials – должностные лица, чиновники.

15. a court order – распоряжение суда.

16. judicial review – пересмотр дела;

17. abuse of power – злоупотребление властью, превышение власти.

18. the figurehead of power - номинальный глава; лицо, возглавляющее что-либо номинально;

19. the titular head - номинальный глава;

20. loyalty – соблюдение права, закона; благонадежность;

21. a vow of loyalty – клятва верности;

22. be brought in the name of the Queen – быть предъявленным от имени Королевы;

23. the three arms of the state – 3 ветви государственной власти;

24. blameworthy – наказуемый, заслуживающий порицания;

25. blameworthy act – упречное поведение;

26. impute – вменять в вину;

27. enjoy immunity – иметь право на личную неприкосновенность;

28. straddle (the legislation) – возглавлять, стоять во главе;

29. framework – структура, система;

30. a blueprint – план, проект;

31. probation – испытательный срок, пробация;

32. condemned – осужденный, приговоренный.

33. entitle – давать право (на что-либо);

34. deport – высылать, выдворять, депортировать;

35. a traitor – предатель;

36. criminal prosecution – уголовное судебное преследование;

37. province – компетенция;

38. clause – статья, пункт;

39. suspend laws – приостановить законы;

40. a bail – залог;

41. the top commetlee of government – главный орган управления;

42. repeal (the law) – отменить (закон).

 

Vocabulary Notes:

The Crown Королевская/верховная власть/Корона

The Clergy Духовенство

The Legislation Законодательный орган, законодательная власть

Secretary of state Министр, входящий в кабинет

Junior Minister Младший министр

Civil Service Чиновничий аппарат министров

Home Secretary Министр внутренних дел

Home Office Министерство внутренних дел

Crown Office Уголовное отделение суда королевской скамьи

Minister in charge Министр во главе министерства

Defence regulations Правила обороны

government ministers Министры правительства

warrant of appointment приказ о назначении

R v Smith case дело по обвинению Смита

Lord President Лорд-председатель

Three Estates of the Realm Три сословия королевства

The Legislature Законодательная власть

The Executive Исполнительная власть

The Judiciary Судебная власть

Chancellor of the Exchequer Канцлер казначейства, министр финансов

Councillor Член совета

The Administrative Court Административный суд.

Her Majesty’s Constabulary Полицейские силы Ее Величества, полиция Ее Величества

Chief Justice of the Common Pleas Главный (старший, председательствующий) судья по

гражданским делам

Magna Carta (The Great Charter of 1215) – Магна карта, Великая хартия вольностей

The Petition of Rights Петиция о правах

 

Reading Comprehension

Exercises

I. Scanning

 

1. Find in the text the information about the differences between the unwritten British Constitution and that of the U.S.

2. Find in the text the information which explains why the power will never become dangerously concentrated in the hands of one person.

3. Find out the differences between the legislature, the executive and the judiciary.

4. Find out about the Queen’s position in the Constitution.

5. Find out what documents are considered to be the Constitutional milestones.

II. Skimming

1. Look through the first part of the text and decide which of the statements gives the main idea of the part:

a. The main purpose of the United Kingdom is to have a written Constitution.

b. The present constitutional theory is that power must be divided into some parts to ensure that it never becomes concentrated in one’s hands.

c. Customs and conventions have become the accepted rules of law.

2. Look through the second part and mark the statement which represents the main idea of the part:

a. The executive is the power which can take the initiative for change.

b. The British Law may be complicated but it is so convincing and well established by convention, practice and traditions that it has become an accepted fact, which must be guarded and protected.

c. The Queen is the part of the legislature; she signs her assent to laws.

3. Look through the third part and mark the statement which represents the main idea of it.

a. The Queen is very important, but she is not very powerful.

b. The Queen’s position in the Constitution is largely ceremonial, its great importance is that she is uniquely placed to bind together the most powerful bodies in the Country under a vow of loyalty to her.

c. The position of the Crown helps to divide up the powers and keep them separate.

 

Vocabulary Work

Exercises