THE LEGAL SYSTEMS PROFESSIONAL ENGLISH IN USE FOR LAW

 

PROFESSIONAL ENGLISH IN USE FOR LAW THE LEGAL SYSTEMS

 

A The structure of the law The legal system in the United Kingdom (UK) The study of law distinguishes between public law and private law, but in legal practice in the UK the distinction between civil law and criminal law is more important to practising lawyers. Public law relates to the state. It is concerned with laws which govern processes in local and national government and conflicts between the individual and the state in areas such as immigration and social security. Private law is concerned with the relationships between legal persons, that is, individuals and corporations, and includes family law, contract law and property law. Criminal law deals with certain forms of conduct for which the state reserves punishment, for example murder and theft. The state prosecutes the B The constitution The head of state is monarch, currently the queen in the UK, but the government carries the authority of the Crown (the monarch). The Westminster Parliament has two chambers: the House of Lords and the House of commons, which separately and are constituted on different principles. The common is an elected body of members. Substantial reform C Jurisdiction There are four countries and three distinct jurisdictions in the United Kingdom: England and Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. All share a legislature in the Westminster Parliament for the making of new laws and have a common law tradition, but each has its own hierarchy of courts, legal rules and legal profession. Wales and Northern Ireland each have their own Assembly and since 1999 Scottish Members of Parliament (SMPs) have sat in their own Parliament. Under an Act of the Westminster Parliament, EXERCISES 1.1 Complete the definitions. Look at A opposite to help you. 1 ____________ ____________ is law relating to acts committed against the law which are punished by the state. 2 ____________ ____________ is concerned with the constitution or government of the state, or the relationship between state and citizens. 1.2 Complete the sentences. Look at B and C opposite to help you. There is more than one possibility for one of the answers. 1 In many systems a president rather than a monarch is ____________ ____________ ____________. 2 The UK system has a parliament with two ____________. 1.3 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. Then complete the sentences below with words from the table. 1 The ____________ is the body which has the function of making law; normally it is the Parliament. 2 It is quite a lengthy process to ____________ to the European Community.

ANSWER KEY