Word list

1. to execute – виконувати

2. court – суд

3. House of Lords – палата лордів

4. House of Commons – палата громад

5. to be in charge – завідувати

6. peer – пер, лорд

3. Read the text and mark these statements t (true) or f(false) according to the text

1. The head of Great Britain is Queen (King).

2. Legislative branch executes laws.

3. Executive branch interprets laws

4. The Queen has little direct power.

5. The Constitution of Great Britain is the eldest in Europe

6. The British legislation provides individual political rights.

7. Government consists of two Houses.

8. Prime Minister is the leader of Government.

9. The fathers of peers were peers before them.

10.”Life peers” are officially appointed by the Queen.

11. The Prime Minister is advised by the voters.

4. Fill in the blanks with the given words

1. The political system of Great Britain has three branches:……..,……….,……..… 2. The main principles of British …….are expressed in various documents. 3. The British legislation does not provide individual……………….… rights 4. British Parliament has two parts : …………….., ……………….. 5. Members of the House of Commons are known as ……………... 6. The Prime Minister is advised by the …………... 7. Peers are not ………….. to the House of Lords. 8. ”Life peers” are officially appointed by the ……………... on the advice of the ……………..

the cabinet legislation MPs Queen political judicial the House of Lords legislative Government elected executive the House of Commons

Information for you

Britain's hereditary monarchy is the oldest institution of government, dating back to at least the 9-th century. The present Queen -Elizabeth II - succeeded to the throne in 1952. Although she has a largely ceremonial and politically impartial role as head of state, she serves as a personal symbol of national unity. The Queen is also head of the Commonwealth and presides over the Church of England.

Britain is a parliamentary democracy, with a constitutional monarch. The House of Commons and the House of Lords with the monarch make up Parliament. Parliament is the legislature and the supreme authority. Parliament passes laws, approves taxation and debates the major issues of the day.

The executive consists of the Cabinet of Ministers. The prime Minister heads the Government and appoints ministers, about 20 of whom are in the policy-making Cabinet.

There are two main political parties in Great Britain: the Labour Party and the Conservative Party.

The administration of justice in Britain is independent of both Parliament and the Government. The judiciary determines common law and interprets statute. Every citizen has the right to equal treatment before the law. Less serious cases are tried by lay magistrates in magistrates' courts and county courts. People accused of more serious crimes are tried in open court by a judge and jury in Crown Court. The House of Lords is the final court of appeal. A person who needs legal advice or representation in court may get help with tle costs$out of public funds.

Definitions of the$courts

Magistrates' Court - a court held before two or more justices of$the peace or a stipendiary magistrate to deal with minov crimes, certain civil actions, and preliminary hearings.

Crown Court -$(in England and Wales) local court in which serious criminal cases are tried.

Hmgh Court- (also High Court of Justice) - supreme court for civil cases.

The Court of Appeal hears appeals from griminal$cases beard in the Crown Courts.