Text D Retrospective of British Legislation Task:read the text and give your understanding of the underlined parts of the sentences.
In early times there were few statutes and the bulk of law was case law, though legislation in one form or another dates from A.D. 600.
The earliest Norman legislation was by means of Royal Charter, but the first great outburst of legislation came in the reign of Henry II (1154 – 1189). This legislation was called by various names: here were Assizes, Constitutions, and Provisions, as well as charters. Legislation at this time was generally made by the king, but sometimes by a kind of Parliament which consisted in the main of a meeting of nobles and clergy summoned from the shires.
In the 14th century parliamentary legislation became more general. The Tudor period saw the development of modern procedure, in particular the practice of giving three readings to a bill.
From the Tudor period onwards Parliament became more and more independent and the practice of law making by statutes increased.
Text E Early Systems of Law
Task: read the text and insert a suitable law term from the box
| law
| verdict
| case
| codify
| | legal
| code
| jury
| court
| One of the earliest systems of law of which we have knowledge is the collection of laws, known as the Code of Hammurabi, the Babilonian king, who lived in about 1800 B.C. Another early _______ is the code of Hebrew Law, contained in the Book of Exodus in the Bible.
In Greece each city state had its own ______ . Some laws were common to many states. In the seventh century B.C. the Greeks began to put their laws into writing. About 594 B.C. Solon, the famous Athenian law-giver, provided a new code of law. The Athenians did not consider it necessary to have _______ experts for non-criminal cases. In a civil ______ the _____ was given by a jury. The members of the _______ listened to speeches made by persons who had brought the case before them.
Roman Law is one of the greatest systems that has ever existed. It was based upon custom. Roman Law has had a strong influence on the law of most European countries and on Anglo-Saxon law, which is the other great law system of the world. In the eleventh century many European countries began to use Roman Law in their _______. In France, however, until Napoleon _______ the law in 1804, each province had its own laws. The Napoleonic Code was a splendid achievement, and it has influenced the laws of many countries in Europe and South America.
Dialogue 1. Never Leave till Tomorrow …
Task:Read the dialogue, reproduce it a) abridged, b) in the form of a monologue.
Mary:Are you doing anything tonight, Heather? Why don’t we go to the concert? Your favourite jazz is playing.
Heather:Thanks. That would be great. But the trouble is I have to prepare a report for the conference. It’s due1 tomorrow.
Mary: You surprise me! Why did you put it off for so long. As far as I remember you got this assignment several weeks ago.
Heather: Yes, I know. It’s always like that with me. You see, the theme of the report seemed easy at first and I thought it wouldn’t take me long.
Mary:What is it about?
Heather: About the legal heritage of Greece.
Mary:Was it your choice?
Heather:Well, I am interested in history, you know. The historical development of legal system seems appealing. And I decided to start with Greece. The ancient Greeks were among the first to develop a concept of law that separated everyday law from religious beliefs. Besides they thought that laws were made by the people for the people.
Mary: By the way, have you heard the name Draco?
Heather: No, but why? What has it to do with the legal heritage of Greece?
Mary: Draco was a Greek and lived in the 7th century B.C. And it was Draco who drew up Greece’s first written code of laws. And according to this code death was the punishment for the most offences.
Heather: Oh, I see why the term “draconian” is usually applied to extremely harsh measures. There is another name, Solon. He was Athen’s lawgiver who devised a new code of laws.
Mary: What exactly are you going to say about Solon’s law in your report?
Heather: Well, I don’t really know. A lot is worth speaking about. But I have to stop on the most important facts. For example, citizens of Athens were eligible to serve in the assembly. Courts were established in which they could appeal government decisions, etc.
Mary: Will you mention the concept of “natural law” in your report?
Heather: I don’t know much about it. Only that it was based on the belief that certain basic principles are above the laws of a nation.
Mary: And you should say that they arise from the nature of people. That’s why the term “natural law” appeared.
Heather: Thanks for advice. I like to talk to people who know the subject.
Mary: You’ve thought it over, so what is left?
Heather: I need to put all my thoughts on paper and make them clear, logical and interesting.
Mary: You’ll manage, you’ve got a night ahead. I won’t keep you any more. Good luck.
Heather: Thanks.
Notes:
1. It’s due ..... – Это должно быть...
Ex. 1. How is the following expressed in the dialogue?
1. suitable to be chosen
2. to come into being, to appear
3. something which is passed down over many years within a family or nation
4. crime
5. to invent
6. task
7. cruel
8. to make a strong request for help, support
Ex. 2.Study the dialogue and make a list of expressions the speakers use to:
· give their opinion
· say they understand you
· say they agree with you
· clarify something
Ex. 3.Give Russian equivalents to the following:
1. to develop a concept of law
2. religious beliefs
3. laws were made by the people for the people
4. to draw up
5. punishment for most offences
6. extremely harsh measures
7. lawgiver
8. to be eligible
9. to appeal government decisions
10. basic principles
Ex. 4.Present the information from the dialogue making use of the following verbs:
to ask, to get interested in, to mention, to stress, to add, to make smth. clear, to agree, to disagree, to state, to underline, to remind, to wonder, to admit, to advise, etc.
Dialogue 2. At Oxford Law School
Task: study the dialogue between a British and an overseas law student.
| Alexander: Frankly speaking, I can’t get used to this University. No, it’s not what I mean. I can’t get used to the fact that I have to compare all the time the peculiarities of at least two different legal systems.
| Александр:Откровенно говоря, я не могу привыкнуть к этому университету. Нет, это не то, что я имею в виду. Я не могу привыкнуть к тому, что вынужден все время сравнивать особенности, по крайней мере, двух различных правовых систем.
| | Robert: What exactly do you find unusual?
| Роберт:Что именно ты находишь необычным?
| | Alexander: Well, for example, a judge here is capable of “making law”. I just can’t comprehend it though I do understand that our systems are based on different legal principles.
| Александр:Ну, например, судья может создавать закон. Я просто не могу это понять, хотя я действительно осознаю, что наши правовые системы основаны на совершенно различных правовых принципах.
| | Robert: Yes, a judge must create a new law when an Act of Parliament makes no provision and there is no existing precedent for the case under consideration.
| Роберт: Да, судья должен создать новый закон, когда нет постановления Парламента и нет прецедента по рассматриваемому делу.
| | Alexander: I think a judge must experience a feeling of great responsibility doing it.
| Александр:Судья, должно быть, испытывает огромное чувство ответственности, делая это.
| | Robert: No doubt, as his decision will become a new precedent for other courts to follow in future. And mind that the doctrine of precedent is the essential feature of British Law.
| Роберт:Несомненно, т.к. его решение станет новым прецедентом, которому другие суды должны будут следовать в будущем. Ты должен помнить, что доктрина прецедента является существенной чертой Британского права.
| | Alexander: Don’t you want to say that the role of Common Law is greater than that of Statutory Law?
| Александр:Не хочешь ли ты сказать, что роль общего права более значима, чем роль cтатутного права?
| | Robert:No, I wouldn’t say that. But Common Law still remains the basis of Law. But as to continental codes they get out of date too often. You should admit it.
| Роберт:Нет, я бы так не сказал. Но Общее право все еще остается основой права. Что касается континентальных кодексов, то они слишком часто устаревают. Ты должен признать это.
| | Alexander:Yes, life changes, it dictates new rules and that’s why the laws must also change not to become outdated. But what is worth discussing is the way they are changed. I’m sorry, I must be going …
| Александр:Да, жизнь меняется, она диктует новые правила. Вот почему законы должны тоже меняться, чтобы не устаревать. Но, что стоит обсудить, так это то, как они изменяются. Прости, я спешу …
|
Ex. 1. Find English equivalents to the following:
cоздавать, существенная черта, рассматриваемое дело, быть способным что-то делать, привыкнуть, необычный, понимать, стоить чего-то, постановление, по крайней мере, быть основанным, следовать чему-то, ответственность, устареть, особенность.
Ex. 2. Fill in the blanks with the appropriate derivatives form the box:
| to interpret ‑ interpretation
to apply ‑ application
to interrupt ‑ interruption
| to operate ‑ operation
to exaggerate ‑ exaggeration
to regulate ‑ regulation
| 1. If a particular law doesn’t operate in society there of course must be good reason for that. Its _____ depends on various circumstances including those of social system itself, political situation and social trends.
2. Judge applies law. _____ of Law is backed by police and court system.
3. The law will be interrupted to interpret it for the particular case. _____ and _____ of law is made by judge in the Common Law system.
4. I am afraid he has exaggerated the importance of the event. His _____ makes it difficult to understand its actual impact.
5. It is the legal system that regulates relations between institutions of this kind and private individuals. These _____ make it possible to interact peacefully.
Ex. 3. Sum up the information you have learned from the dialogue making use of the following:
to get used to smth., peculiarity, to comprehend, to create, provision, precedent, responsibility, essential feature, to admit, to get out of date, to be worth doing smth.
Revision Translation
Task: translate into English.
| Закон
|
| | Закон – нормативный акт, принятый высшим представительным органом государственной власти либо непосредственно волеизъявлением населения (референдумом). Закон регулирует наиболее важные общественные отношения. Закон как самостоятельный источник права сложился еще в древности и пришел на смену правовому обычаю.
Он обладает наибольшей юридической силой по отношению к нормативным актам всех иных органов государства. В то же время Закон может отменить любой иной нормативный акт. Любой правовой акт, противоречащий Закону, должен признаваться недействительным. Закон имеет особый порядок принятия ‑ специальная процедура: законодательная инициатива, обсуждение законопроекта, принятие и его опубликование.
Законы подразделяются на конституционные и обыкновенные. Обыкновенные законы считаются принятыми, если за них подано более 1/2 голосов депутатов. Эти законы, в свою очередь, делятся на кодификационные и текущие.
К числу кодификационных относятся основы законодательства государств, кодексы. Текущие законы регламентируют различные конкретные вопросы политической, хозяйственной и социально-культурной жизни общества.
| normative
directly
referendum
replaced
annul
inconsistent (with)
void
legislative
ordinary
codified, current
fundamentals
regulate
|
LISTENING COMPREHENSION
DialogueRadio Phone-in
Pre-listening activities
I. Before you listen to the tape learn the following:
| radio phone-in
| — радиопередача “Ответы специалистов на вопросы радиослушателей по телефону”
| | a resident solicitor
| — зд. юрисконсультант
| | to give smb the benefit of one’s advice
| — поделиться с кем-либо профессиональным опытом
| | caller
| — тот, кто звонит
| | to keep phoning up
| — продолжать звонить
| | the whole issue
| — предмет обсуждения
| | to seek legal redress
| — добиваться юридического возмещения
| | to distinct
| — различать
| II. Discuss the given below statements. While discussing them use the following expressions:
a) making your point:
in my opinion / view ........
I think / feel / believe that ........
If you ask me ..../ as far as I’m concerned ...
b) introducing your ideas /when you disagree
I see your point but .....
I understand what you’re saying but .....
You have a good point there, but .....
I respect your opinion but .....
1. Japanese Law has been influenced by both Common and Continental Law.
2. There’s no great distinction between the system of Common and Continental Law.
3. In China Law courts historically are regarded as political instruments to deal with its political opponents.
4. The most important thing concerning the spread and influence of Common and Continental Law throughout the world is not to exaggerate the differences between these two legal systems of Law.
5. Latin America and many countries in Asia and Africa were historically influenced by the USA.
Listening activities
I. Listen to the recording and then fill in the table for each subject
| countries
| Common Law
| Continental Law
| | USA
|
|
| | Great Britain
|
|
| | Japan
|
|
| | China
|
|
| | France
|
|
| | Canada
|
|
| II. Complete the microdialogue using what you remember from the recording.
Announcer: Good morning. This is Alan King on Radio Sussex with our usual Wednesday morning phone-in. This morning the topic is _________. In the studio is ___________. He is on the line to answer your questions and here’s the first caller. Can you hear me?
Mr Jack: Yes, yes, I can. Could you possibly assist me with __________. In what way do these two main traditions of Law differ from each other?
Mr Andrews: Well, the question concerns ___________.
Mr Jack:Ah, yes, excuse for butting in, but what’s the particular distinction between the two legal systems?
Mr Andrews: It’s interesting to know that Common Law differs from Continental Law in ___________. But I have to say the whole issue is so complex that we haven’t got enough time in this phone call to cover everything, I’m afraid.
Mr Jack: Oh, well, thanks very much for your information.
After listening
Writing task
Compare legal systems in the USA and Great Britain: what they have in common, and in what way they differ
GRAMMAR SECTION
Grammar to be revised: The Passive Voice
Ex. 1. Translate the sentences used in the Passive Voice. Ask and answer different types of questions working in pairs.
1. The Law is defined as a set of rules which form the pattern of behaviour of a given society.
2. The Law is based upon the recorded experiences of society and the community in their efforts to define and regulate the relationships between their members.
3. In ancient times laws were derived from old customs and in some cases were codified by the order of a strong ruler, and then they became known under the ruler’s name, like Hammurabi’s Code of Laws or Justinian’s Digest.
4. Though in many cases the names of ancient lawgivers are unknown, their teachings have been known to millions of people.
5. It seems that the Ten Commandments from the Bible are known to all people, both religious and non-religious.
6. Besides strictly religious commandments, there are those that are willingly accepted by most people: to show honour and devotion to our parents, not to murder, not to be unfaithful to our spouses, not to steal, not to bear false witness not to desire greedily anything that belongs to our neighbours.
7. The Koran is considered the most revered book among Muslims. The Koran is the basis of Islamic law, the Sharia.
8. Another ancient law the initiator of which is unknown is the law of the talion: an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.
9. In Anglo-Saxon Law the death penalty has been considered a customary response to certain kinds of offence.
10. Nowadays legislators are members of legislature who are empowered to make, change or repeal the laws of the country or state and levy taxes.
11. Civil law system is based on Roman law and the French Napoleonic Code, the German and Swiss Codes.
12. In civil law countries legislation is seen as the primary source of law.
Ex. 2. Express the same idea using the Passive Voice and translate the sentences into Russian.
Model: The society has established the criminal law to maintain peace and order. (The criminal law …)
The criminal law has been established to maintain peace and order.
1. A governing power establishes laws to maintain peace, secure justice for its members, define the legal rights of the individual and community, and to punish offenders for legal wrongs.
2. The civil law is the portion of the law which defines and determines the rights of the individual in protecting his person and his property.
3. The criminal law protects society and the community from the injurious and harmful acts of individuals.
4. People use the word ’law’ to mean many things.
5. Generally we use the word ’law’ to indicate all law and we also use it to mean a single enactment of a lawmaking body, a statute.
6. The criminal law assures a person charged with a crime of a fair and speedy trial.
7. Parliament makes laws, and they constitute parliamentary or statutory law.
8. In all societies prescriptive laws regulate relations between people.
9. Members of every community have made laws for themselves in self-protection.
10. The Law embraces all the spheres of production, distribution and exchange.
11. The Law lays down the measures for combating encroachment on the state system and the existing order of social relations.
12. We often refer to the law.
Ex. 3.Give answers to the following questions using the Passive Voice.
1. What were laws derived from in ancient times?
2. Are there any commandments in the Bible that are willingly accepted by most people? Why is it so?
3. Are all legislators’ names remembered in history? In what cases are they remembered?
4. What principle is the law of the talion based on?
5. How are most legal systems classified?
6. What has the Common Law of England been developed from?
7. Why is the English system called the Common Law system? Is it applied throughout the country?
8. What law is used by the countries which were colonized at some time by Britain?
9. What is Civil Law system based on?
10. What are the judgments of courts in civil law countries based on?
11. Who are common law judges selected from?
12. What is the Muslim legal system based on? Do you know in what countries it is used?
Ex. 4.Choose the right verb from the box below and put it in the gap in the correct tense and voice form.
| to draw up
| to rediscover
| to pass
| to govern
| | to carve
| to exhibit
| to devise
| to adopt
| | to set up
| to lay down
| to revise
| to settle
| | to read
| to cover
| to make
| to say
| | to lose
| to observe
| to conquer
| to write
| 1. One of the most detailed ancient legal codes _____ in about 1758 B.C. by Hammurabi, a king of Babylonia.
2. The entire code, consisting of 282 paragraphs, _____ into a great stone pillar which _____ in the temple of the Babylonian god Marduk so that it could _____ by every citizen.
3. The pillar _____ for centuries after the fall of Babylon in the 16th century B.C., and only in 1901 it _____ by a French archaeologist amid the ruins of the Persian city of Susa.
4. The pillar _____ now in the Louvre museum in Paris.
5. The laws which _____ by Hammurabi were more extensive than any that had gone before.
6. Hammurabi’s laws _____ crime, divorce and marriage, inheritance and property contracts, regulations about taxes and price of goods, the rights of slave owners and slaves, etc.
7. The cruel principle of revenge: an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth _____ in the code.
8. In the 7th century B.C. Greece’s first written code of law _____ by Draco.
9. Draco’s laws were shockingly severe, so severe that people _____ they _____ not in ink but in blood.
10. Several decades _____ before Solon, a poet, a military hero and Athens’ lawgiver ____ a new code of law.
11. Solon _____ every statute of Draco’s code except that of homicide and ____ Athenian law altogether more humane.
12. Before England ____ by the Normans, different areas ____ by different systems of law, which _____ often from those of the various invaders who _____ there.
Ex. 5.Use the verbs given in brackets in the Passive Voice. Translate the sentences.
1. The laws which (to make) in Parliament (to interpret) and (to apply) by courts, but changes in the law itself (to make) in Parliament.
2. Appeals (to hear) by higher courts. Appeals from magistrates’ courts (to hear) in the Crown Court.
3. The English legal system (to condition) by two basic concerns.
4. The law should (to administer) by the state so that it could (to apply) evenly over the whole country in order to satisfy its two main functions of control and service.
5. The principle of judicial independence (not to achieve) until 1701, when the Act of Settlement made judges irremovable from office, except by an appeal to the monarch from both Houses of Parliament.
6. Common law originally (to base) on medieval customs and conventions that (to establish) by the Norman kings.
7. Almost all criminal law now (to set out) in Acts of Parliament while the greater part of civil law still depends on common law and guidance of previous decisions.
8. Statutes which (to create) by Acts of Parliament are the ultimate source of law.
9. Parts of common law (to abolish) by Parliament and (to replace) by statute law.
10. Certain changes to the United Kingdom law (to make) to bring it in line with rulings of the Council of European Court of Human Rights.
11. The Napoleon’s Code (to establish) in 1804 by the Emperor of France Napoleon Bonaparte.
12. The law systems of many countries (to base) on the Napoleon’s Code.
Ex. 6. Use the verbs either in the Active or Passive Voice.
1. With few exceptions, judges never (to like) to see themselves as creators of laws regarding that as the province of Parliament.
2. However, over the centuries judges (to be) responsible for making a great deal of law, and senior judges still (to do) so. If not, how could the common law (to develop)?
3. The present British legal system (to form) the basis of the Judiciary – the third branch of government – and (to comprise) three separate systems – that for England and Wales, that for Scotland and that for Northern Ireland.
4. The law as a whole (to consist) partly of statutes, or Acts of Parliament, and partly of common law.
5. Modern statutes usually (to bring) into effect by an order made by a minister of the Crown.
6. By-laws are a form of local legislation and (to design) to regulate the conduct of members of public.
7. The County Courts (to establish) for hearing both criminal and civil cases.
8. Common Law (to be) fundamentally judge-made law which (to develop) over many centuries.
9. By 1250 a common law (to promote) and (to rule) the whole country.
10. The Queen (to sign) the bill and it (to become) an Act of Parliament after it (to pass) in the House of Commons and (to adopt) in the House of Lords.
11. The spheres of criminal and civil law (to deal) with many concepts and ideas that not always easily (to understand) by ordinary people.
12. The unwritten Law of England (to make) by judges and (to base) on cases of precedent. It (to express) the sound instincts of the people, the common sense in human activity and social life.
Ex. 7.Translate into English.
1. При составлении законов должно соблюдаться равновесие между правами и обязанностями граждан, необходимостью порядка и соблюдением основных свобод.
2. В законах отражаются различные ценности общества.
3. Законы основываются на моральных, экономических, политических и социальных ценностях общества.
4. Бесплатное образование и медицинское обслуживание гарантированы законами многих стран.
5. С течением времени меняются социальные ценности, вслед за этим также изменяются законы.
6. Задолго до того, как европейцы поселились на Американском континенте, во многих племенах порядок поддерживался системой традиционных неписаных законов.
7. Взаимоотношения между отдельными людьми и группами людей регулируются гражданским правом.
8. Британскую Конституцию часто называют неписаной, так как она никогда не была записана в одном документе.
9. Термин “неписаный закон” употребляется для обозначения закона, который не принимался парламентом; “писаный закон” означает закон, который был принят парламентом.
10. Закон об уголовном праве 1967 г. считается одним из важнейших законов Великобритании. В этом законе дана новая классификация уголовных преступлений и отменено традиционное деление их на фелонии и мисдиминоры.
11. – Какой вопрос обсуждается сейчас в законодательном комитете?
– Новые законы, связанные с использованием атомной энергии, обсуждаются сейчас комитетом.
UNIT III
BRITISH CONSTITUTIONAL LAW
READING AND SPEAKING
|