EXPLANATIONS AND CLARIFICATION PROFESSIONAL ENGLISH IN USE FOR LAW

 

PROFESSIONAL ENGLISH IN USE FOR LAW 17. EXPLANATIONS AND CLARIFICATION

 

A Explaining a procedure When you list the different stages of procedure, your listeners’ comprehension of the information that you are presenting will be better if you use phrases to structure and signpost what you say. For example: B Approximating and comparing When talking to or writing to a client or colleague from another legal system, you may need to explain or describe features of your system which are different or broadly similar. The phrases below can be used to compare aspects of your system. It may be appropriate to use key terms in your own language and then offer a comparative explanation, for example: C Rephrasing and clarifying When you are explaining something which is new or complex, it is important to check that your listeners understand what may be new terms or concepts. You can help their comprehension by rephrasing your words and help your comprehension of what they say rephrasing or summarising their words. You can use the phrases below to signal that you are rephrasing or asking for clarification. EXERCISES 17.1 Explain the different stages in getting proprietary rights for an invention as if to a client. Look at A opposite and use the information below to help you. The first part of the explanation has been done for you. ·         consider submitting an application to the patent office in the research phase ·         don’t publicly disclose he invention because this might be interpreted as prior publication You wanted me to give you an outline of the stages in getting proprietary rights. First, consider submitting an application to the patent office in the research phase_______               17.2 Complete the sentences with words and phrases from B opposite. Use the index to look up any unfamiliar terms. There is more than one possibility for four of the answers. 1 A bona fide act is _______________ an act in good faith. 2 The jury system in Scotland _______________ that in England because there are 15 jurors on a panel in Scotland compared with 12 in England. 17.3 Complete the sentences with words and phrases from C opposite. There is more than one possibility for two of the answers. 1 The clause exclude abnormal weather conditions, ­________________, weather which is significantly different from previous records, like a hurricane. 2 Towards the end of the agreement there are usually the boiler-plate clauses, ________________, clauses such as what the applicable law will be and the way in which notices have to be served.

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