Выполнить задание по первой теме

Unit 2 WHY STUDY LAW?

1. Read, translate the text and answer the questions: Which skills can a law degree give you? Which advantages of a law degree are mentioned in the text? Are there any other spheres to apply law knowledge? Where?

2. Find the words given in bolded type in the dictionary.

Law is a subject where you can develop a range of skills and explore many aspects of human life. Studying Law as an undergraduate gives you the chance to sharpen your mind, strengthen your understanding and deepen your experience across the full range of humanities and social sciences. Law should therefore appeal to those who want to develop both abstract thinking and practical problem-solving. And it's easy to see why you don't have to become a lawyer just because you've done a Law degree; many choose not to.

A Law degree can give you the skills to be a successful lawyer, but also a successful producer, politician, manager, journalist, police officer or almost any other profession that requires intellectual strength combined with a practical approach to the world. A Law degree has a number of advantages. Law students acquire both breadth and depth of legal knowledge. They will typically have covered 14 subjects during their Law degree and can appreciate the bigger picture of how law fits together, how law relates to other subjects such as legal histo ry, criminology and philosophy. A Law degree gives students the possibility to learn to talk about law simply and effectively, rather than
fall into the stereotypes of legal language. Law students acquire other skills as well. For example, many participate in mooting competitions, where they can develop skills in making oral presentations.
Many participate in pro bono societies where they can give legal advice and support to real people with real problems. Such skills prepare students not only for careers as lawyers but also for diverse careers in politics related fields, such as government, international organizations, the voluntary sector, and in business.
(Adapted from http://www.trin.cam.ac.uk)

Vocabulary exercises

Exercise 1. Fill in the missing words from the box to complete the full-time employment contract. 

1. _____________ the Employer wishes to hire the Employee as an administrative assistant and the Employee wishes to accept this position.
2. The Employee shall _____________on the terms and conditions _____________ below.
3. The Employee shall agree _____________ that are required to his position.
4. The Employee shall perform all the duties to _____________
5. The Employee shall __________the Employer rules and regulations.
6. As an administrative assistant the Employee shall carry out the following _____________.
7. Other duties and activities that may arise from time to time and may be _____________ to the Employee.
8. The _____________ shall constitute 3 (three) months.
9. Your _________ entitlement is 30 days in any calendar year.

10. Your annual _____________ is 28 days which cannot be carried out.
11. The termination of this Agreement is possible by giving a month _____________ to the Employer.
12. You are entitled to _____________ in the following cases.
13. If you have a _____________ relating to your employment, follow the complaints procedure set out in the booklet attached.
14. The Employer is entitled to terminate this contract at any time and without any _____________.
15. _____________ the Employer and Employee signed and sealed this Agreement.

Exercise 2. Read the text to learn more about legal skills. Choose three skills which you consider to be the most important.

Top ten legal skills 

While legal positions vary greatly in scope and responsibility, there are several core legal skills that are required in most legal functions. If you are considering a career in the law, it is wise to polish these top legal skills to excel in today’s competitive legal market.
1. Oral Communication. It is one of the most fundamental tools of the legal professional. Legal professionals must: Convey information in a clear, concise, and logical manner. Communicate persuasively. Advocate a position or a cause. Master legal terminology. Develop keen listening skills.
2. Written Communication. From writing simple correspondence to drafting complex legal documents, writing is an integral function of nearly every legal position. Legal professionals must: Master the stylistic and mechanical aspects of writing. Master the fundamentals of
grammar. Learn how to write organized, concise and persuasive prose.
Draft effective legal documents such as motions, briefs, memos, resolutions and legal agreements.
3. Client Service. In the client-focused legal industry, serving the client honestly, capably and responsibly is crucial to success.
4. Analytical and Logical Reasoning. Legal professionals must learn to review and assimilate large volumes of complex information in an efficient and effective manner. Legal analytical and logical reasoning  skills include: reviewing complex written documents, drawing inferences and making connections among legal authorities; developing logical thinking, organization and problem-solving abilities; structuring and evaluating arguments; using inductive and deductive reasoning to draw inferences and reach conclusions.
5. Legal Research. Researching legal concepts, case law, judicial opinions, statutes, regulations and other information is an important legal skill.
6. Technology. Technology is changing the legal landscape and is an integral part of every legal function. To remain effective in their jobs, legal professionals must master communications technology including e-mails, voice messaging systems, videoconferencing and related technology. 
7. Knowledge of Substantive Law and Legal Procedure. All legal professionals, even those at the bottom of the legal career chain, must have basic knowledge of substantive law and legal procedure.
8. Time Management. In a profession based on a business model (billable hours) that ties productivity to financial gain, legal professionals are under constant pressure to bill time and manage large workloads.
9. Organization. In order to manage large volumes of data and documents, legal professionals must develop top-notch organizational skills.
10. Teamwork. Legal professionals do not work in a vacuum. Even solo practitioners must rely on secretaries and support staff and team up with co-counsels, experts to deliver legal services.

Exercise 3. Answer the following questions.
1. Legal positions vary greatly in scope and responsibility, don’t they?
2. Is it wise to polish legal skills to excel in today’s competitive legal market?
3. Can you enumerate the main legal skills?
4. What is considered to be one of the most fundamental tools of the legal professional?
5. What is an integral function of nearly every legal position?

6. What factor is crucial to success in the client-focused legal industry?
7. Must legal professionals learn to review and assimilate large volumes of complex information in an efficient and effective manner?
8. What do legal analytical and logical reasoning skills include?
9. What does legal research mean?
10. Is technology an integral part of every legal function?
11. What must legal professionals do to remain effective in their jobs?
12. Is basic knowledge of substantive law and legal procedure necessary for legal professionals?
13. Why is time management also important for legal professionals?
14. Are organizational skills important for legal professionals? Why?
15. Is teamwork important for people who decided to work in the sphere of jurisprudence?

Exercise 4. Translate the following words and word combinations from English into Russian.

Exercise 5. Find the English equivalents to the following words and phrases

Exercise 6. Match the words from the left column with their definitions from the right column.

Exercise 7. Fill in the gaps using the necessary words from exercise 6.
1. Using … reasoning we must conclude that since everyone eventually dies, sooner or later it's going to be our turn.
2. Even if all of the premises are true in a statement, … reasoning allows for the conclusion to be false.
3. The barristers have … a training program as effective.
4. The government's … is to serve the public.
5. The evidence points to the inescapable … that she was negligent.
6. She is a very … player.
7. He gave in to the social … to act and dress like everybody else.
8. New employees are taught the proper safety … .

Exercise 8. Decide which sentences are true and which are false. Make the false sentences true.
1. If you are considering a career in the law, it is wise to polish top legal skills to excel in today’s competitive legal market. 

2. Oral communication is one of the most fundamental tools of the legal professional.
3. Written communication is not an integral function of nearly every legal position.
4. In the client-focused legal industry, serving the client honestly, capably and responsibly is crucial to success.
5. Legal professionals don`t review and assimilate large volumes of complex information in an efficient and effective manner.
6. Researching legal concepts, case law, judicial opinions, statutes, regulations and other information is an important legal skill.
7. Legal professionals must master communications technology including e-mails, voice messaging systems, videoconferencing and related technology to remain effective in their jobs.
8. All legal professionals, even those at the bottom of the legal career chain, must have basic knowledge of movie making.
9. Legal professionals do not work in a vacuum. 
10. Even solo practitioners must rely on secretaries and support staff and team up with co-counsels, experts to deliver legal services.

Exercise 9. Translate the following sentences from Russian into English.
1. Мы осваиваем юридическую терминологию с первого дня поступления в университет.
2. К концу первого курса он научится представлять информацию в четкой и краткой форме.
3. На вчерашнем семинаре по истории государства и права России студенты активно отстаивали свои позиции.
4. Только к концу прошлого семинара он понял, как составлять ходатайство.
5. Преподаватель рассказывает об использовании индуктивных и дедуктивных методов в работе юриста.
6. Она занималась исследовательской работой в области теории государства и права еще в школе.
7. Овладение современными технологиями общения, такими, как видеоконференции, является неотъемлемой частью работы юриста. 

Exercise 10. You can see some statements below. Discuss them with your partner, using the following clichés.
If I am not mistaken…
This plays an important role in…
It turned out that…
It is widely known that…
It is common knowledge that…
To put it in a nutshell…
Furthermore…

Passive voice

The passive consists of two verb forms. The first is a form of the auxiliary verb TO BE. The second is the THIRD (Participle II) form of the main verb. Usually, the agent is not named in the passive sentence.
If it is named, it is introduced by the preposition.

Note: passive constructions are only possible with transitive verbs (verbs which take direct objects): arrest the suspect; convict the accused; sentence the defendant, etc. They are not possible with intransitive verbs (verbs which can’t be followed by direct object), such as sleep, bleed, etc.

Exercise 1. Use the present continuous passive to complete the sentences.
1. The defendant … of an intentional tort. (accuse)
2. Careers in law … highly… at the moment (pay)
3. LSAT … by many students now. (take)
4. Some solicitors of the firm … on extra training courses (send).
5. Not many women … to become partners in their law firms. (promote)
6. Steps … to address the discrimination problems in legal professions. (take)
7. Special grants … to disabled students who want to become lawyers. (give)
8. Currently, most legal services … to the public by solicitors or by
barristers (deliver).
9. Nowadays a great deal of the work in solicitor firms … by paralegals rather than solicitors themselves. (do)
 

Exercise 2. Rewrite the sentences in the future simple passive.
a. Barristers will spend more of their time in court …
b. Different factors will influence changes in legal professions. …
c. The judge will ask you to take an oath before giving evidence. …
d. Paralegals will help lawyers prepare for cases …
e. Paralegals will draft routine legal documents. …

Exercise 3. Turn the following questions into the passive.
7. Will his lawyer represent him in court? …
8. Is his friend drafting a contract? …
9. Do they take fee for their services? …
10. Is the police officer asking him any questions? …
11. Will the judge dismiss the case? …
12. Does he review patents? …