THE COURT SYSTEM PROFESSIONAL ENGLISH IN USE FOR LAW

 

PROFESSIONAL ENGLISH IN USE FOR LAW THE COURT SYSTEM

 

A Civil courts Duncan Ritchie, a barrister, is talking to a visiting group of young European lawyers. “Both criminal and civil courts in England and Wales primarily hear evidence and aim to determine what exactly happened in a case. Broadly speaking, the lower courts decide matters of fact and the upper courts normally deal with points of law. In England, simple civil actions, for example family matters such as undefended divorce, are normally heard in either the Magistrates’ Courts or the Country Courts. Judges have different titles depending on their experience, training, and level. A single stipendiary magistrate or three lay magistrates sit in the Magistrates’ Court. There’s no jury in a Magistrates’ Court. Family cases may go on appeal from the Magistrates’ Court to the County Courts. The Counry Court also hears complex first instance civil cases, such as contract disputes, compensation claims, consumer complaints about faulty goods or services, and bankruptcy cases. Claimants, previously referred to as plaintiffs, may seek a legal remedy for some harm or injury they have suffered. There are circuit judges and recorders who sit in the County Courts, usually without a jury. Juries are now rare in civil actions, so normally the judge considers both law and fact. B Criminal courts   ‘About 95% of all criminal cases in England and Wales are tried in the Magistrates’ Courts, which deal with petty crimes, that is, less serious ones. In certain circumstances, the court may commit an accused person to the Crown Court for more severe punishment, either by way a fine or imprisonment. Except in cases of homicide, children under 14 and young persons, that is, minors between 14 and 17 years of age   EXERCISES 4.1 Complete the diagram. Look at A and B opposite to help you. The Court System in England and Wales 4.2 Complete the table with words from A, B and C opposite and related forms. Put a stress mark in front of the stressed syllable in each word. The first one has been done for you. 4.3 Match the two parts of the sentences and complete the gaps with words from the table above. Pay attention to the grammatical context. There is more than one possibility for three of the gaps. 1 The _______ courts can 2 An appelant must get 3 In a civil action, a _______ who has suffered 4 Magistrates generally _______ cases of petty crime as 5 Indictable offences are

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