Situation dialogue.

Dick needs some legal advice as he wants to buy a real estate. He is talking to his friend Tom, a lawyer, about it.

Dick: It's the first time when I need some legal advice.

Tom: Don't worry. I'll try to help you. What would you like to

talk to me about?

Dick: Can you give me some ideas how to avoid legal problems

when buying a home?

Tom: With pleasure. What's your first question?

Dick: Is the selling price firmly fixed in the terms of

contract?

Tom: Contracts for new houses may contain a clause that will

permit the contractor to add increased' cost. In this

case be sure you can meet the additional costs.

Dick: And what about the down payment?

Tom: Terms describing the down payment and remainder of the

cost must be established to your satisfaction.

Dick: Good. Well, tell me how can I determine if the property

Is free of back taxes?

Tom: Back taxes should be paid by the seller before the

contract is signed. A lawyer s fee here may save you

time, trouble, and money.

Dick: I see. Is there anything else I should remember?

Tom: Yes. If you are contracting for a new house, be sure you

have in writing the conditions under which you or the

builder can change plans or materials.

Dick: Thank you for your advice. You are wise as usual.

Tom: Well, my advice now is to sign your contract after your

attorney has checked the terms and given you an opinion.

Exercise 2. Read English conversational formulas given below and say which of them you will express:

1) disapproval, 2) advice, 3)distress, 4) opinion, 5) surprise,

6) sympathy.

1. Why don’t you?

2. That’s not a good idea.

3. What’s the matter?

4. I’m sorry to hear that.

5. What bad luck!

6. You haven’t, have you?

7. You shouldn’t do that.

8. Really?

9. I don’t think you’re right.

10. I think you’d better ... .

11. I advise you not to ... .

12. It could be worse.

13. What?

14. I don’t believe that.

15. It’s not the end of the world.

16. If I were you I wouldn’t ... .

17. Whatever for?

18. I feel terrible.

19. I don’t think so.

20. I’m in serious trouble.

21. I don’t think you are right.

22. Is anything wrong?

Exercise 3. Make 6 groups of the above expressions, learn them by heart and use them in the dialogues of your own based on Text E.

The first group is made for you.

1) disapproval: That's not a good idea. You shouldn't do that.

Whatever for?

Text e. The Case of James young

James Young was working for a company located about two miles from James' home.

Since there was no bus service to the plant, James decided he would need a reliable car. James could not afford to spend much for a car. After looking over his budget for the year, he decided 500 dollars was all he could pay for a car.

James found a used car, and the sales person mentioned that he had just bought the car from a boy who needed the money to start college, and that he could sell the car to James at a lower price.

James should have been more cautious, but what appeared to be such a good deal was hard to pass up.

James started the car easily and drove it a few blocks. Everything seemed to be functioning except that the transmission seemed to slip slightly. He knew that the car should be checked by his friend, Roger, who was an expert mechanic. However, it was Saturday afternoon, and Roger had gone to another city.

The salesperson had the contract ready for James to sign when he returned from the drive. James paid the 100 dollars down and signed the contract which required 12 additional payments of 55 dollars each.

James' trouble started on the way home the following Monday. His car lost all power, and he was forced to pull off to the side of the road.

He called Roger, who looked at the car and saw that the transmission was ruined. James didn't have 225 dollars to replace the transmission, so he called his father for advice.

When Mr. Walker, his father's lawyer, read the contract, he knew that James had failed to read it in detail. The salesperson had typed in, "This vehicle sold as is". James had signed the contract which released the seller of any responsibility. James had lost his rights as a buyer by signing a contract containing such a clause.

He was stuck with a 225 dollars repair job and a 600 dollars debt on the car.

Exercise 4. When you have finished talking, write down in dialogue form the conversation you have had. Use some of the expressions you have learned.

Exercise 5. Complete, learn and act out the dialogue.

Brown: Mr.Belov, have you any questions as regards the contract?

Belov: Нет, я считаю, что мы с вами разрешили все спорные

вопросы.

Brown: Good. If some problems arise in the process of work we

shall deal with them there and then. Some principal

points can be included into a supplement to the contract

upon mutual agreement.

Belov: Полностью с вами согласен.

Brown: Fine. In that case we'll tell our experts and lawyers to

prepare the contract for signing. I don't think this work

will take much time and we can sign the contract at 10

o'clock in the morning.

Belov: Думаю, что это удобное время для подписания контракта.

Г-н Браун, мы с вами хорошо поработали, и сейчас я бы

хотел пригласить вас совершить небольшую поездку по

городу.

Brown: I'm very happy to accept your invitation, Mr.Belov. Let

me once more thank you for your assistance in settling

all the problems that were in the way of signing the

contract.

Exercise 6. Fill in missing remarks and act out the dialogues.

Dialogue 1.

Bond: Mr. Green, you promised to reconsider the total contract

price.

Green: ... ... ...

Bond: Oh, it seems too high to us.

Green:

Bond: Half the sum.

Green:

Bond: Here is a contract signed with a Hungarian firm five years

ago.

Green: ... ... ...

Bond: You are right, Mr. Green, but this contract can be a basis

for our discussions.

Green: ... ... ...

Bond: All right. Let's resume our talks in 4 days.

Dialogue 2.

Curry: Hallo, is that Mr. White?

White : ?

Curry: This is Tom Curry. White:... ... ... ?

Curry: I've got some legal problems with the purchase of a real

estate. Can I have an appointment with you?

White: ?

Curry: Any time you like. White: ?

Curry: Very good. This time is quite all right.

Exercise 7. Act out dialogues on the basis of the following situations.

1. You've Just visited the British pavilion at the international exhibition in London and became interested in the lasted model of computers. You are going to sign a contract with a British company. The company's price doesn't suit you. Meet Mr. Brown of this company end discuss the price problem with him. Speak about the hotel you are staying at.

2. You are going to start your own business. Ask a lawyer how to do it. Your decision is to open a restaurant. Some problems might arise from entering into contracts with different people, but you don't want to make written contracts for labor, equipment and food product You are not sure if you are right here. Pay a lawyer to help you avoid later financial problems.

Exercise 8. What is the meaning behind the sayings, "Necessity knows no law"; "One law for the rich, and another for the poor".

Give your arguments "for" and "against".

Exercise 9. Imagine that you are a lawyer and you have been asked if a certain contract is legal and can be enforced. What points will you study in the contract to help you decide if it is valid.

Exercise 10. It is necessary to revise laws occasionally because they are no longer appropriate. Can you think of a law that has been changed since the first Constitution was written? Do you know of any law that has been changed in your town? Why were these changes made?

Exercise 11. Consider and discuss the situation with your friend. Look through Text В if necessary to prove your opinion.

Johnny, а 14-year-old freshman, purchased an expensive leather jacket from the local sports clothing store. Since Johnny's parents had already bought him several jackets, this jacket was not actually needed and it could not be considered a necessity. The store was forced to accept the return of the jacket and refund the full amount of the purchase.

Exercise 12. Interview your classmates to learn of their experiences in entering into contracts.