Vocabulary notes

determine the main functions определять основные функции

emphasis is placed on особое внимание уделяется

the resolution of disputes решение споров

civil liberty issues вопросы гражданских свобод

clash between конфликт между

comprehend the whole of the legal system охватывать всю законодательную систему

be of direct concern to constitutional непосредственно подпадатьt

law под действие конституционного права

Task 2. Match the words with their definitions

1. resolution a. special attention given to something because it is important

2. peculiar b. to find out or make certain (facts or information)

3. emphasis c. a formal statement of decision or opinion

4. concern d. unusual and strange

5. clash e. disagreement, conflict

6. determine f. a worried feeling or a state of anxiety

Task 3. Find phrases with the following words in the text

law, government, jurisdiction, procedures, codes, control, system, rights

Task. 4 Agree or disagree

1. Constitutional law relates to the system of economic relations.

2. Important protection of family life is given by the European convention on Human Rights.

3. The functioning of the legal system is of no concern to Constitutional law.

Task 5. Answer the questions

1. How is it possible to define Constitutional law?

2. Which problems occur while defining Constitutional Law in the UK?

3. In which way is family protection given?

4. Which liberty issues arise out of criminal law and procedure?

Text 2.

Task 1. Read and translate the text

The Constitution as Supreme Law

The US Constitution calls itself the “supreme law of the land”. This clause is taken to mean that when state constitutions or laws passed by state legislatures or the national Congress are found to conflict with the federal Constitution, they have no force.

Final authority is vested in the American people, who can change the fundamental law, if they wish, by amending the Constitution. The people do not exercise their authority directly, however. They delegate the day-to-day business of government to public officials, both elected and appointed.

The power of public officials is limited. Their public actions must conform to the Constitution and to the laws made in accord with the Constitution. Elected officials must stand for re-election at periodic intervals. Appointed officials serve at the pleasure of the person or authority who appointed them, and may be removed when their performance is unsatisfactory. The exception to this practice is the lifetime appointment by the president of justices of the Supreme Court and other federal judges, so that they may be free of political obligations or influence.

Most commonly, the American people express their will through the ballot box. The Constitution, however, does make provision for the removal of a public official from office, in case of extreme misconduct, by the process of impeachment. Article II. Section 4 reads:

The President, Vice President, and all civil officers of the United States, shall be removed from office on impeachment for, and conviction of, treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors.

Impeachment is a charge of misconduct brought against a government official by a legislative bode: it does not, as in commonly thought, refer to conviction on such charges. The House of Representatives must bring charges of misconduct by voting a bill of impeachment. The accused officials is then tries in the Senate, with the chief justice of the Supreme Court presiding at the trial.

Impeachment has been used on only rare occasions in the United States. The House of Representatives has voted articles of impeachment just 17 times in the history of the country. Thirteen of the 17 persons who have been impeached were federal judges, as well all seven individuals convicted by the Senate.