9. Use the text to find antonyms to the following words and combinations:

common; guilty; the plaintiff; a gain; past; to stay; multiple; a violation of duty; intentionally; to meet a standard of care; subjective; reasonable; invisible; to conceal.

10. Read the text above and choose words and word combinations from the box to fill in the gaps. Answer the questions above the following text.

defamation, durable form, common law, offending material, in the form, libel, not edited, publication, fleeting form, to distinguish between, an Internet-based community, slander

Slander and Libel

The (1) ... origins of defamation lie in the torts of (2) ... (harmful statement in a transitory form, especially speech) and (3) ... (harmful statement in a fixed medium, especially writing, but also a picture, sign, or electronic broadcast), each of which gives a common law right of action.

«(4) ... » is a general term used internationally, and is used in this article where it is not necessary (5) ... «slander» and «libel». Libel and slander both require (6) ... . The fundamental distinction between libel and sander lies solely (7) ... in which the defamatory matter is published. If the (8) ... is published in some (9) ... , as by spoken words or sounds, sign language, gestures and the like, then this is slander. If it is published in more (10) ..., for example in written words, film, compact disc (CD), DVD, blogging and the like, then it is considered libel. The debate whether Internet blogs or Bulletin Boards are publishers is a key subject being addressed, whereas (11) ... is more akin to conversations in a bar or pub, with content being written as an ondoing dialogue which is generally (12) ... or regulated such as in the publishing industry.

Answer the following questions:

1. What is the difference between slander and libel?

2. What forms can libel take?

3. Give some examples for slander and libel.

Focus on Grammar

11. Open the brackets to use the verbs in appropriate form. Use the Conditionals.

Example. If I were you, I (to do) this. – If I were you, I would never do this.

1. If you were on a hijacked plane, you (to attack) the hijackers?

2. If they were on a hijacked plane, they (to stay) calm and probably (to survive).

3. If the barrister had been trying harder, he (to succeed).

4. If she (to smell) smoke in the middle of the night, she would call the fire brigade.

5. If he (to tell), he would have come to the police station in time.

6. If the driver in front hadn’t stopped suddenly, the accident (not to happen).

7. If they (to go) by car, they would have saved time.

8. If you (to be) busy, I (to leave) you alone.

9. The reasonable person test (to use) if the tortfeasor (not to meet) the appropriate standard of care under the circumstances.

10. If he (to send) an email to the barrister, we (not to worry).

12. Translate into English using I wish.

1. Вот если бы вы рассказали об этой детали адвокату на прошлой неделе!

2. Мы пожалели, что не попросили его совета.

3. Жаль, что вы отказались принять участие в совещании.

4. Жаль, что вас не интересует это дело.

5. Мы бы хотели, чтобы в суде вы упомянули эти факты.

6. Жаль, что вы включили диктофон так поздно!

7. Если бы я был свободен сейчас!

8. Жаль, что и вчера у вас было мало времени!

9. Хорошо бы вы написали ей об этом сами.

10. Жаль, что вы не обратили внимание на его предупреждение.