Prepositions at law

1) to accuse someone of smth – звинувачувати когось у чомусь;

2) to be liable for smth – бути відповідальним, нести матеріальну відповідальність за щось;

3) to sentence smb to a punishment – засуджувати до покарання;

4) to claim damages for smth – вимагати компенсації за щось;

5) to be entitled to (compensation) – мати право на (компенсацію);

6) to bring a case against smb – порушувати судову справу проти когось;

7) to be guilty of an offence – бути винним у злочині;

8) to fine smb for smth – оштрафувати за щось.

Exercise 17 Now complete the following texts with the above written phrases in exercise 16 and translate them in writing. Use each phrase once in the past tense. Write one word in each gap.

1 In Court 1, the Police Prosecutor accused Mary Philips _________ disorderly behaviour. A number of witnesses were called to give evidence. Finally, the magistrate decided that Philips ____________ _____________ ___________ the charge but did not _____________ her ___________ prison. Instead, he ___________ her _____________ her behaviour.

2 In Court 2, John Peters____________ __________ __________ ____________his employer. He ___________ __________ _________ a serious injury at work. The judge decided that his employer_________ ________ ________ the injury and ruled that Peters___________ __________ ___________ substantial damages.

Exercise 18 What do usually lawyers do? Can you answer at once? Complete the text with verbs from the box and translate it in writing. Say whether the list of lawyers’ functions is complete.

litigate* negotiate* draft* counsel*

Lawyers’ major functions

• First, lawyers . This means that lawyers offer advice, even if it is advice their clients would prefer not to hear. Lawyers regularly counsel clients during negotiations and litigation.

• Second, lawyers . This means that they mediate* between competing interests that will be advantageous* to their clients and disadvantageous to their opponents.

• Third, lawyers documents. This is probably their most intellectually challenging function.

• Fourth, they . This is the skill most people associate with lawyers. But only a small number of all lawyers devote much time to courtroom activities. The majority of attorneys never venture* into a courthouse except to file legal papers with a clerk.

to negotiate – вести перемовини, справу, обговорювати умови

to mediate – виступати посередником

to counsel – морально підтримувати

advantageous – вигідний

to draft – укладати, складати

to litigate – судитися, виступати в суді

to venture – ризикнути

Exercise 19 Combine the nouns in the box with the verbs below to make combinations to describe the work lawyers do. Translate them. Some of the verbs go with more than one noun. Choose three “verb + noun” pairs and write sentences using them.

сases clients contracts corporations* decisions defendants disputes law legislation

Advise, draft, litigate, practice, represent, research.

corporation – корпорація, акціонерна компанія, юридична особа

Listening task: several different words can be used to refer to a “lawyer”. But “lawyer” is a wide term which refers to all professionals working in the legal profession; it does not refer to a specific job. Listen to three law students in the UK talking about the kind of work they would like to do when they have completed their law studies. Write the correct word for “lawyer” in the gaps.