Text 3 coroner’s courts in the uk

Exercise 3.1 Study the vocabulary:

fatal	1) смертельний
the registrar	2) реєстраційне бюро
to hold an inquest	3) проводити дізнання
post-mortem examination	4) (лат.) розтин трупа
the deceased	5) покійник
discretion	6) свобода дій
to investigate	7) проводити розслідування
violent death	8) насильницька смерть
to inquire	9) розслідувати
suspicious	10) підозрілий

Exercise 3.2 Read and translate the text:

Coroners investigate violent and unnatural deaths or sudden deaths where the cause is unknown. Deaths may be reported to the local coroner (who is either medically or legally qualified, or both) by doctors, the police, the registrar, various public authorities or members of the public. If the death is sudden and the cause unknown, the coroner need not hold an inquest if, after a post-mortem examination has been made, he or she is satisfied that the death was due to natural causes. Where there is reason to believe that the deceased died a violent or unnatural death or died in prison or in other specified circumstances, the coroner must hold an inquest and it is the duty of the coroner’s court to establish how, when and where the deceased died. A coroner may sit alone, or in certain circumstances, with a jury. In Scotland the local procurator fiscal inquires privately into all sudden and suspicious deaths and may report the findings to the Crown Office. In a minority of cases a fatal accident inquiry may be held before the sheriff. For certain categories (such as deaths in custody) a fatal accident inquiry is mandatory. In addition, the Lord Advocate has discretion to instruct an inquiry in the public interest in cases where the circumstances give rise to public concern.

Exercise 3.3 Decide if there are the answers to the following questions in the text:

1. What cases do the coroners investigate?

1. Yes b) No

2. Who can inform the local coroner about the death?

1. Yes b) No

3. What court besides coroner’s court can investigate violent death?

1. Yes b) No

4. In what case is it unnecessary for the coroner to hold an inquest?

1. Yes b) No

5. How many jurors are there in the coroner’s court?

1. Yes b) No

6. What court would deal with such deaths in Northern Ireland?

1. Yes b) No

7. What is a duty of coroner’s court?

1. Yes b) No

8. How many coroners are there in Great Britain?

1. Yes b) No

9. What training should the coroner have?

1. Yes b) No

10. How is the inquiry held in Scotland?

1. Yes b) No

Exercise 3.4 Read the text again and choose the best variant:

1. ___________ investigates _________deaths.

a) judge; violent;

b) coroner; violent;

c) detective; violent.

2. Coroners must have_________ or_________ training.

1. economical; medical;

2. medical; scientific;

3. medical; legal.

3. After a post-mortem examination it will be clear the__________.

1. causes of death;

2. causes of crime;

3. nature of murder.

4. Where there is reason to believe that the deceased died a violent or unnatural death, the coroner must_________.

1. hold an interrogation;

2. hold an inquest;

3. pass verdict.

5. The duty of the coroner’s court is __________ how, when and where the deceased died.

1. to establish;

2. to enact;

3. to abolish.

6. A coroner may sit alone, or in certain circumstances, with a ________.

1. jury;

2. barrister;

3. judge.

7. The local procurator inquires privately into all sudden and_______ deaths.

1. dangerous;

2. natural;

3. suspicious.

8. For certain categories a fatal_________ inquiry is mandatory.

1. matter;

2. case;

3. accident.

Exercise 3.5 Complete the sentences:

1. … investigate …, … or … deaths.

2. Coroners must have … or … training.

3. After a … it will be clear the ….

4. Where there is reason to believe that the … died a violent or unnatural death, the coroner must hold an ….

5. The … of the coroner’s court is … how, when and where the deceased died.

6. A coroner may sit alone, or in …, with a ….

7. In Scotland the local procurator may report the … to the Crown Office.

8. The local procurator … privately into all sudden and suspicious deaths.

9. For certain categories a fatal … inquiry is mandatory.

Exercise 3.6 Match the people with the act they can do:

Judge	a) to give evidence
Jury	b) to kill smb.
Solicitor	c) to break into a house and steal things
Barrister	d) to decide if smb. is guilty or not guilty
Police	е) to steal something
Coroner	f) to pass verdict
Murderer	g) to deal with petty crimes
Burglar	h) to investigate a crime
Witness	i) to defend smb. in higher court
Thief	j) to investigate sudden or unnatural death