Word list

a magistrate — мировий суддя;

a solicitor — повірений у справах, який готує документи до суду;

a barrister — адвокат, який виступає в суді;

a juror – член журі присяжних;

a judge – суддя;

a coroner — коронер, судмедексперт;

to accuse — обвинувачувати;

defence — захист;

to hire — наймати;

to argue — обговорювати; заперечувати;

innocent — невинний;

burden — тягар доказу;

prison — тюрма, в'язниця;

probation — умовне засудження;

restrict — обмежувати;

treason — зрада;

rare — рідкісний;

3. Read and translate.

a) jury; grand jury; trial jury; petit jury; jury case; jury list; jury trial; juror; to instruct a jury; to swear in jury; to dismiss a jury; to serve on a jury; a trial by jury

b) judge; district judge; federal judge; presiding judge; chief judge; trial judge; panel of judges; judge of assizes; judge of probate.

4. Fill in the blanks.

1. Magistrates are unpaid....

2. There are... courts in most towns.

3. Solicitors are qualified....

4. Solicitors advise the... and help prepare the defence case.

5. If the case is serious, the solicitor hires a... to defend the accused.

6. The prosecuting banister represents a....

7. A jury consists of... men and women from local community.

8. A jury sits in the Crown Court and listens to... for the defence and prosecution.

9. A jury decides whether the accused is... or....

10. Judges are trained... who sit in the Crown Court.

11. The judge will pass... if the jury find the accused....

12. The most common... are fines, prison and probation.

13. A person on.... must report to a local police station at regular intervals.

14. Children under 10 cannot be... with a criminal....

15. Offenders between 10 and 17 are tried by....

16. The punishment for murder is a life....

17. The most common punishment for crimes is a.

5. Read the following sentences and decide if they are true or false.

1. Juries sit in magistrates' courts.

2. Magistrates are legally qualified judges.

3. There are magistrates' courts in most towns.

4. Solicitors are not legally qualified.

5. The solicitor represents the accused in court.

6. The state helps poorer suspects to pay for their defence.

7. Barristers are hired to defend the accused.

8. A jury consists of ten men and women from local community.

9. Barristers sit in the Crown Court and listen to witnesses for the defence and prosecution.

10. Crown Court judges decide on the guilt or innocence of the accused.

11. The judge passes sentence.

12. Children under 10 are tried by special juvenile courts.

13. The punishment for murder is a life sentence.

14. The most common punishment for crimes is probation.

6. Find words and expressions in the text which mean:

1. a public officer with authority to hear and decide cases in a law court;

2. say that smb has done wrong, broken the law, is to be blamed;

3. not guilty;

4. system when offenders are allowed to go unpunished for their first offence while they continue to live without further breaking of the law;

5. limit;

6. allow the use or services of smb for fixed payment;

7. body of twelve persons who give a decision on issues of fact in a case in a court of justice.

7. Answer the following questions.

1. Are magistrates legally qualified judges?

2. Who does the accused person need to see after he has been arrested?

3. Who may represent the accused in court?

4. In what cases does the solicitor hire a barrister?

5. How many people does a jury consist of?

6. Who has the right to decide whether the accused is guilty or innocent?

7. Where do judges sit?

8. Whose job is it to pass sentence?

9. What are the most common sentences?

10. What does a sentence of community service mean?

11. Can children under 10 be charged with a criminal offence?

12. Does the death penalty still exist in Britain?

13. What is the punishment for murder?

14. What is the most common punishment for crimes?

8. Complete the following text by translating the words and expressions in brackets.

Most criminal trials take place in а (Магістратському суді). Magistrates listen to all the (показання свідків) and decide whether the person accused of the crime is (винен) or not. If the defendant is found guilty, the magistrates usually decide on the (вирок). The magistrates are normally three Justices of the Peace chosen from the community. In court there will also be a solicitor who argues for (обвинувачуваний).

The more serious cases are dealt with in the (Королівському суді) in front of a judge. А (суд присяжних) of twelve men and women (who are ordinary members of the public) decide whether the defendant is guilty or not. The (суддя) will decide on a sentence. Judges and other (юристи) who speak in Crown Courts wear black gowns and wigs. In Crown Courts there are two (адвокати) instead of solicitors, one arguing for the prosecution and the other for the defendant.

9. Choose the correct definition for each legal profession. Translate into Ukrainian.

a. magistrates	d. judges	f. coroners
b. solicitors	e. jury	g. clerks of the court
с. barristers

1. An officer acting as a judge in the lower courts.

2. A public official with authority to hear and decide cases in a law court.

3. A group of people who swear to give a true decision on issues in a law court.

4. An official who investigates the cause of any death thought to be violent or unnatural causes.

5. A lawyer who has the right to speak and argue in higher law courts.

6. A lawyer, who prepares legal documents, advises on legal matters and speaks for them in lower law courts.

7. An official who looks after administrative and legal matters in the courtroom.

10. Read the text and fill in the gaps with the appropriate words from the box.