- •Chapter XI the work of the courts - part 1 the courts
- •Vocabulary list
- •Reading Comprehension Exercises
- •Skimming
- •Scanning
- •Vocabulary Work Exercises
- •Suggest Russian equivalents of the following expressions and use them in your own sentences based on the text.
- •Suggest English equivalents of the following expressions and use them in your own sentences based on the text.
- •Match the expressions on the left (a) with their translation on the right (b).
- •Guess the concept of the following definitions.
- •Give definitions of these words. Use the dictionary. Suggest the word – combinations in which these words can be used.
- •Match the words on the left (a) with their definitions on the right (b) and give their Russian equivalents.
- •Translate the sentences from English into Russian.
- •Complete the sentences with the words from the box.
- •Fill in the gaps with the appropriate prepositions from the box.
- •Translate the sentences from Russian into English using the active vocabulary.
- •Speaking Exercises
- •Say whether the following statements are true or false. Explain why drawing on the text.
- •Answer the questions about the text.
- •Draw up the plan for rendering the text and then summarize it.
- •Discuss these issues.
- •Find the information on the Internet on the following themes and make presentations in class.
Speaking Exercises
Say whether the following statements are true or false. Explain why drawing on the text.
1. The Court Service Agency is responsible for the organisation and smooth running of the courts.
2. The Judicial Committee of the House of Lords deals with all the cases of public importance.
3. The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council hears appeals from all the “dependent territories of the Crown in any matter civil or criminal”.
4. In the UK Lords Justices of Appeal always deliver unanimous judgment.
5. Recorders sit as part-time judges only in the Crown Court.
6. Nowadays JPs hear both civil and criminal cases in England.
7. The only difference between а JP and а District judge is that the latter is paid а stipend.
8. Tribunals sit quite informally, they have to make а variety of important decisions which can’t be challenged in the High Court.
9. The police will be expected to investigate the case thoroughly if the coroner’s court reaches а verdict of “unlawful killing”.
10. The main legal principal in the UK is known as stare decisis.
Answer the questions about the text.
1. What is a tale of two committees about? Give a detailed description of the committees.
2. What does the Court of Appeal deal with? Which different functions does it comprise? To what extent does it submit to the House of Lords?
3. What was the rationale behind the establishment of the Supreme Court?
4. What are the judicial aims of the Supreme Court?
5. How do appeals in Civil Cases differ from appeals in Criminal Cases?
6. Where does the importance of a dissenting judgment lie?
7. What rules are judges run by while hearing appeals in civil and criminal cases?
8. How does the Court of Appeal function?
9. What divisions does the High Court of justice consist of? What does the activity of these divisions encompass?
10. What does the phrase “to try cases at first instance” mean?
11. How does a High Court Judge put into practice the principle “Justice must be seen to be done”?
12. How do the Crown and county courts work? Which requirements are they to meet?
13. What is the role of High Court Judges and Circuit Judges within the frame of the Crown Court?
14. What are the functions of the magistrates’ courts?
15. Where does the difference lie between a magistrates’ court and a county court?
16. Who are the cases in magistrates’ courts heard by?
17. What is the notion “Justices of the Peace” rooted in?
18. What are tribunals set up for?
19. What are the types of tribunals? What matters do they deal with?
20. What are the coroner’s duties?
21. When are juries involved in the work of the coroner’s court?
22. Why is the coroner’s court so important nowadays?
23. What is the clerk of the court responsible for? When is the clerk a particularly important figure?
24. What is the principle of binding precedent based on? How does it work in practice?
Draw up the plan for rendering the text and then summarize it.
Discuss these issues.
1. Lord Bingham, defending the work done by magistrates, described them as а ’democratic jewel beyond price’. Comment on his words. What is your idea of magistrates?
2. In England, in accordance with tradition the law has been developed through the principle of binding precedent. What are weak and strong points of their ‘sacred principle’? Compare the English principles and the Continental ones?
3. Discuss the differences in the work of the Courts in Russia and in Britain. What are pros and cons of their work in both countries?