The Organization of the Federal Courts Today

The American court system is complex. It functions as part of the federal system of government. Each state runs its own court system, and no two are identical. In addition, we have a system of courts for the national government. These federal courts coexist with the state courts.

Individuals fall under the jurisdiction of two different court systems, their state courts and federal courts. They can sue or be sued in either system, depending mostly on what their case is about. The vast majority of cases are resolved in the state courts.

The federal courts are organized in three tiers, like a pyramid. At the bottom of the pyramid are the US district courts, where litigation begins. In the middle are the US courts of appeals. At the top is the US Supreme Court. To appeal means to take a case to a higher court. The courts of appeals and the Supreme Court are appellate courts, with few exceptions, they review cases that have been decided in lower courts. Most federal courts hear and decide a wide array of cases; the judges in these courts are known as generalists.

Ex. 8. Find in the text the English equivalents for the words below:

1. сосуществовать;

2. частные лица;

3. суды штатов;

4. подать иск;

5. федеральные суды;

6. подавляющее большинство;

7. подпадать под юрисдикцию;

8. разрешить дело в судебном порядке;

9. ярус;

10. Верховный суд;

11. судебное разбирательство, тяжба;

12. окружные суды;

13. высшие суды;

14. аппеляционные суды;

15. исключение;

16. низшие суды;

17. рассматривать дело.

Ex. 9. Use the information from the text to answer the questions:

1. Why is the American court system complex?

2. Are state court systems identical?

3. Federal courts coexist with the state courts, don’t they?

4. In which courts can individuals sue or be sued?

5. In what way are the federal courts constructed?

6. Name American courts in the descending order.

7. Where does litigation begin?

8. What does the word «to appeal» mean?

9. What do the appellate courts review?

10. What are the functions of most federal courts?

11. What are the judges in federal courts known as ?

Ex. 10. Decide if the following sentences are True or False:

1. In the United States the judiciary is divided into the national ( federal ) and state judiciary.

2. State judicial systems are similar.

3. Federal courts coexist with the state courts.

4. Individuals fall under the jurisdiction of one court system.

5. Individuals can sue or be sued in both systems.

6. The vast majority of cases are resolved in the federal courts.

7. The federal courts are organized in two tiers.

8. At the bottom of the pyramid are the courts of appeals.

9. At the top is the US Supreme Court.

10. To appeal means to take a case to a lower court.

11. The appellate courts review cases that have been decided in lower courts.

Ex. 11. Restore the word order in the sentences.

1. In the is divided into United States the federal judiciary and state systems.

2. Each runs state court system its own.

3. The jurisdiction individuals of two fall under different systems courts.

4. Criminal and civil cases federal courts hear.

5. Majority the vast of cases resolved are courts in the state.

6. Three tiers in are organized the federal courts.

7. Litigation usually in the US district courts begins.

8. To take a case to appeal means to a higher court.

9. The judges are known as in federal courts generalists.

Ex. 12. Develop the sentences:

1. The American court system functions as …….

2. Each state runs …….

3. These federal courts coexist …….

4. Individuals fall under …….

5. The vast majority of cases…….

6. The federal courts…….

7. At the bottom of the pyramid…….

8. In the middle are…….

9. At the top there is……….

10. The appellate courts review…….

Ex.13. Fill in the blanks with appropriate words:

The Federal and State Court Systems

The federal courts have three tiers: (a) -------------- courts, courts of (b) --------------- and the (c) ----------- Court. The (d) --------------Court was created by the Constitution; all other (e) ----------------courts were created by Congress. Most litigation occurs in (f) --------------courts. The structure of (g) --------------- courts variers from state to state; usually there are (h) --------------- for less serious cases, (i) ----------------for more serious cases, intermediate (j) ---------------- courts , and courts of last (k) -------------- . State courts were created by state constitutions.

Ex. 14. Summarize the information using the following phrases:

to resolve; to be organized; to hear; to decide

Federal courts ……….

State courts…………

Ex. 15 Draw a scheme of the judicial system of England and Wales and compare it with American court system. Dwell on differences and similarities.