UNIT 1: WHAT IS MEANT BY LAW

1. Give the basic definition of law (three elements)
2. Discuss different definitions of law
3. Explain the purpose(s) of law
4. Explain the separation of powers: legislative, executive, judicial
5. Discuss the main legal systems of the world: civil law, common law, religious law

Key terms: coercion, conduct, enforce, impose, infraction, regulate, violation

Collocations: enforce a law, enforce a rule, impose sanction, impose restrictions,  impose obligation, impose a fine, infraction of the law, violation of a right, violation of law, violation of rules, be in violation of

 

UNIT 2: SOURCES AND VARIETIES OF ENGLISH LAW

1. Define source of law  ('origin of law', 'basis of a legal system')
2. Explain the composition of the United Kingdom
3. Enumerate and explain the sources of English law
4. Explain the differences between common law/equity/statute law
5. Explain the hierarchy of sources of English law
6. Provide the basic classification of law

 

Key terms: equity, legislation, legislature, legislative, to legislate,  precedent, statute

Collocations: common law, enacted law /unenacted law, to set a precedent, to follow a precedent, to overrule a precedent, binding precedent, legal remedy, persuasive precedent, procedural law, source of law,  statute law, to enact a statute, to promulgate a statute, to repeal a statute, substantive law

 

UNIT 3: STATUTE LAW IN BRITAIN

1. Discuss the composition of Parliament and the changing status of the House of Lords
2. Describe the role of the Monarch in Parliament
3. Enumerate the main functions of Parliament
4. Briefly outline the legislative procedure (eight stages)
5. Explain the importance of statute books

 

Key terms: adjudication, constitution, House of Commons, House of Lords, legislation, legislator, legislature, proceedings, repeal, statute

Collocations: to draft a bill, to vote on a bill, to pass a law, to grant assent

 

UNIT 4: THE BRITISH JUDICIARY

1. Discuss the role of lay magistrates
2. Explain the main differences between inferior and superior judges
3. Briefly outline the training of judges
4. Discuss the judicial appointment and removal from office
5. Explain the differences in the position of the Lord Chancellor in the past and today

Key terms: circuit judge, district judge,  judiciary, Justice of the Peace (JP), Magistrate, recorder

Collocations: term of office, to remove from office, to hear a case, to sit as a judge, security of tenure

 

UNIT 5: THE DOCTRINE OF PRECEDENT

1. Explain the hierarchy of English and Welsh courts. List the courts of criminal jurisdiction, the courts of civil jurisdiction and those of both jurisdictions
2. Name the first instance criminal courts and compare them
3. Name the first instance civil courts and compare them
4. Define the doctrine of precedent
5. Discuss the importance of the doctrine of precedent for the English legal system
6. Define ¨judicial precedent¨
7. Enumerate different types of judicial precedents and explain the difference between them
8. Define the main elements of a judgement
9. Discuss advantages and disadvantages of judicial precedent

Key terms: binding precedent, civil and criminal jurisdiction, court of appeal, court of first/second instance, original precedent, persuasive precedent, ratio decidendi, stare decisis. 

Collocations: to adhere to/abide by a precedent, to follow a precedent, to hear a case, to give/pass a judgement, to distinguish a case.

 

UNIT 6,7: THE LEGAL PROFESSION IN ENGLAND

1. Name the two types of legal professionals in England and compare them in terms of different types of legal services that they provide
2. Define ¨the right of audience¨
3. Explain who may exercise the right of audience in England and Wales (Courts and Legal Services Act 1990)
4. Describe the three stages in the education of barristers and solicitors
5. Define ¨Queens Counsel¨

 

Key terms: barrister, brief, contract, counsel, conveyancing, disbar, liable, pleading, right of audience, solicitor, will.

Collocation: to brief a barrister, to draft/draw  up a legal document, to give legal advice, to hear/argue/plead a case, to practice law, to take/receive instructions.

 

UNIT 8: LEGAL AID

1. Define ¨legal aid¨
2. Describe the current legal aid scheme in Britain
3. Explain the responsibilities of the Legal Aid Agency
4. List the types of legal services provided in the legal aid scheme
5. Enumerate the providers of legal aid
6. Describe the procedure in which the eligibility for legal aid is determined (the two tests)
7. Enumerate the legal problems which have priority

Key terms: access to justice, means test, merit test, legal aid, legal advice, legal assistance, legal representation, litigation.

Collocations: to grant a contract, to seek/provide/obtain provide legal aid, to seek justice.

 

UNIT 9: A DAY IN A CIVIL COURT (CIVIL PROCEDURE IN THE UK)

1. Provide a definition of civil law as a branch of law
2. Identify the parties in a civil procedure
3. Explain the cause, i.e. purpose of civil procedures, including the most common available remedies
4. Explain the task of the court, with respect to the standard of proof
5. List the three types of claims and explain how the types are determined

Key terms: claim, claimant, compensation, damages, defendant, dispute, grievance, injunction, liable, liability, litigation, litigant, litigate, plaintiff (>claimant), pleadings, redress, sue, tort

Collocations: aggrieved party, balance of probabilities, breach of contract, take action

 

UNIT 10: A DAY IN A CRIMINAL COURT (CRIMINAL PROCEDURE IN THE UK)

1. Provide a definition of criminal law
2. Identify the parties in a criminal procedure
3. Explain the cause, i.e. purpose of criminal procedure
4. Briefly explain the role of the police in criminal justice
5. Explain the task of the court, with respect to the standard of proof
6. List the three types of criminal offences, including some examples of each
7. Identify criminal courts, according to the types of offences tried therein
8. Discuss the right to silence
9. Describe the steps in a criminal procedure, including the role of the police, the CPS and the magistrates' court

Key terms: accused, acquittal, bail, conviction, crime, Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), custody, defendant, fine, imprisonment, indictment, jury, offence, prosecutor, punishment, trial, sentence, verdict

Collocations: bring the charge, indictable offences, offences triable either way, summary offences, warrant of arrest