1.1.3 Read the text again to answer the following questions.

1) What is a traditional division of laws according to the form in which they are made?

2) What does ‘written’ (‘unwritten’) law mean? Give examples.

3) What is a traditional classification of systems of law?

4) What countries have a common (Roman) law system?

5) What is the difference between common law and case law?

6) What is called a precedent (binding precedent)?

7) What is a statute?

8) What is meant by delegated legislation?

9) What does it mean that many Roman-law systems have codified their law?

10) What is the main difference between common and Roman-law systems?

11) What system of law has developed in your country?

1.2. Branches of law

1.2.1 Study these words before reading the text.

branches of law – отрасли права

private law – частное право

public law – публичное право

contract law – контрактное право

agreement – соглашение

enforced (contract) – имеющий исковую силу

tort law – деликтное право

tort – гражданское правонарушение, гражданско-правовой деликт

wrong – правонарушение

damage = harm = injury – ущерб, вред

property law – право собственности (вещное право)

ownership – собственность, право собственности, владение

real property – недвижимое имущество

personal property – личное имущество

transfer – передача (имущества, права и т.п.)

inheritance law – наследственное право

will – завещание

family law – семейное право

marriage – (вступление в) брак

divorce – развод

adoption – усыновление

child support – алименты на детей

company law – право компаний, коммерческое право

management – управление, руководство, администрация

shareholders – акционеры

criminal law – уголовное право

сrime = offence – уголовное преступление, правонарушение

trial – судебный процесс

punishment – наказание

offender = criminal – правонарушитель, преступник

constitutional law – конституционное право

administrative law – административное право

international law – международное право

nation – государство, нация

1.2.2 Read and translate the text.

Law can be divided into two main branches according to the kinds of legal rights and obligations involved: (1) private law and (2) public law. Private law deals with the rights and obligations people have in their relations with one another. Such relations involve everything from borrowing or lending money to buying a home or signing a contract. Public law concerns the rights and obligations people have as members of society and as citizens. Public law involves government directly.

Both public and private law can be subdivided into several branches.

There are six major branches of private law in England and the United States. These branches are: (1) contract law, (2) tort law, (3) property law, (4) inheritance law, (5) family law, and (6) company law.

Contract law deals with the rights and obligations of people who make contracts. A contract is an agreement between two or more persons that can be enforced by law.

Tort law handles the rights and obligations of people involved in torts. A tort is a wrong or damage that a person suffers because of someone else’s action. The action may cause bodily harm, damage a person’s property, business or reputation; or make unauthorized use of a person’s property.

Property law governs the ownership and use of property. Property may be real, such as land and buildings, or personal, such as a car and clothing.

Inheritance law concerns the transfer of property upon the death of the owner. Inheritance laws list the relatives or other persons who have first rights of inheritance. Inheritance law also sets the rules for making wills.

Family law determines the legal rights and obligations of husbands and wives and of parents and children. It covers such matters as marriage, divorce, adoption, child support and others.

Company law governs the formation and operation of business corporations or companies. It deals mainly with powers and obligations of management and the rights of shareholders.

Public law can be divided into four branches: (1) criminal law, (2) constitutional law, (3) administrative law, and (4) international law.

Criminal law defines crimes and offences and sets the rules for the arrest, the possible trial, and the punishment of offenders.

Constitutional law covers the principles outlined by the constitution and conflicts between the constitution and other laws. It also describes the various divisions of government and their powers.

Administrative law centers on the operation of government departments established in the executive branch of government under powers granted by the legislature.

International law deals with the relationships among nations both in war and peace. It concerns trade, communications, and border disputes, methods of warfare, the uses of ocean and many other matters.

1.2.3 The following table lists the major branches of public and private law and some of the legal matters they cover. Work with a dictionary to find the Russian equivalents to the legal matters within each branch of law.

Private Law		Public Law
Contract law Credit purchase Employment contracts Guarantees Insurance policies Patents Sales contracts Subscriptions Torts Negligence Nuisance Personal injury Product liability Professional malpractice Slander and libel Trespass Traffic accidents Property law Landlord and tenant relations Mortgages Transfers of ownership Unclaimed property	Inheritance law Estates Probate Trusts Wills Family law Adoption Annulment Custody of children Divorce Marriage Company law Company finance Articles of association Mergers and acquisitions	Criminal law Arson Bribery Burglary Extortion Forgery Kidnapping Manslaughter Murder Perjury Rape Robbery Theft Constitutional law Government powers Separation of powers Civil rights	Administrative law Consumer protection Environmental protection Public safety Social welfare Taxation Workers’ wages International law Arms control Extradition Hijacking Human rights Territorial waters Terrorism Uses of outer space Uses of the ocean War crimes

1.2.4 Read the text again to answer the following questions.

1) In what way can law be divided according to the kinds of legal rights and obligations?

2) What rights and obligations does private (public) law involve?

3) What are the main branches of Anglo-American private (public) law?

1.2.5 Complete the following sentences with the information from the text.

1) Contract law deals with …

2) Tort law handles …

3) Property Law governs …

4) Inheritance law concerns …

5) Family law determines …

6) Company law governs …

7) Criminal law defines …

8) Constitutional law covers …

9) Administrative law centers on ….

10) International law deals with …