Unit 10

Topic for discussion: The Foundation of British Law: Habeaus Corpus Act

Grammar: Present Perfect Tense

Ex. 1 Read and translate the following text:

Let the Body Be Brought…

In Britain, the United States and many other English-speaking countries, the law of Habeas Corpus guarantees that nobody can be held in prison without trial. Habeas Corpus became a law because of a wild party held in 1621 at the London home of a notoriously rowdy lady, Alice Robinson. When a constable appeared and asked her guests to quiet down, Mrs. Robinson allegedly swore at him so violently that he arrested her, and a local justice of the peace committed her to jail.

When she was finally brought to trial, Mrs. Robinson’s story of her treatment in prison caused an outcry. She had been put on a punishment diet of bread and water, forced on the bare earth, stripped, and given 50 lashes. Such treatment was barbaric even by the harsh standards of the time; what made it worse was that Mrs. Robinson was pregnant.

Public anger was so great that she was acquitted, the constable who had arrested her without a warrant was himself sent to prison, and the justice of the peace was severely reprimanded. And the case, along with other similar cases, led to the passing of the Habeas Act in Britain in 1679. The law is still on the British statute books, and a version of it is used in the United States, where the law was regarded as such an important guarantee of liberty that Article 1 of the Constitution declares that “Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended except in cases of rebellion or invasion”.

Habeas Corpus is a part of a Latin phrase – Habeas corpus ad subjiciendum – that means “Let the body be brought before the judge.” In effect, a writ of Habeas Corpus is an order in the name of the people (or, in Britain, of the sovereign) to produce an imprisoned person in court at once.

Ex.2 Translate into Ukrainian:

1. Mrs. Robinson allegedly swore at a constable so violently that he arrested her.

2. A local justice of the piece commited her to jail.

3. Mrs/ Robinson had been put a punishment diet of bread and water and forced to sleep on the bare earth.

4. Public anger was so great that she was acquitted.

5. The constable who had arrested her without a warrant was himself sent to prison.

6. The justice of the peace was severely reprimanded.

7. The law is still in the British statute books and a version of it is used in the USA.

Ex. 3 Translate into Ukrainian:

1. Закон «Хабеас Корпус» гарантує, що ніхто не може бути ув’язнений без суду.

2. Коли поліцейський зявився і попросив пані Робінсон втихомиритись, вона грубо вилаяла його.

3. Місцевий мировий суддя ув’язнив її.

4. В знак покарання її посадили на хліб і воду, змусили спати на голій землі, роздягли і завдали 50 ударів різками.

5. Насправді «Хабеас Корпус»- це наказ від імені народу доставити арештованого до суду негайно.

Ex. 4 Complete the following sentences:

1. The law Habeas Corpus guarantees that….

2. Habeas Corpus became a law because of …

3. Mrs. Robinson’s story of her treatment in prison …

4. Such treatment was barbaric even by …

5. What made it worse was that …

6. Mrs. Robinson’s case along with other similar cases led to…

7. Habeas Corpus is a part of a Latin phrase that means…

Ex. 5 Agree or disagree:

1. In Great Britain, Scotland and many other English-speaking countries, the law of Habeas Corpus guarantees that nobody can be held in prison without a fair trial.

2. Habeas Corpus became a law because of a wild party held in 1631 in London.

3. Mrs. Robinson allegedly swore at a constable so violently that he committed her to jail.

4. When she was finally brought to trial, mrs. Robinson’s story of her treatment in prison caused an outcry.

5. The constable who had arrested her without a warrant was severely reprimanded.

6. Article 1 of the Constitution of the USA declares that Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended except in cases of rebellion and invasion.

Ex. 6 Correct the mistakes if necessary:

1. Claire already has left.

2. I am very busy. I told you several times.

3. Sam haven’t heard about them since almost a year.

4. Did the student already read this text?

5. We haven’t had any news about them since they have left the town.

6. She was ill since last Friday.

7. It is the first time we have eaten Chineese food.

8. Why are you speaking in a low voice? What happened?

9. How many times have you visited the city?

10. For 2 hours the police is already preparing the description of the man wanted.

11. The accused of murder has escaped from Prinston prison 2 hours ago.

12. For several years Barney is working for the FBI.

13. They have been examining the victim’s clothes when the investigator came to ask for the result.

14. The victim gets compensation for the injury after the trial meeting was over.

15. She just prepared the report on procedural law.

Ex. 7 Complete each sentence with missing words:

1. I haven’t seen him … a long time.

2. Kevin went out some minutes …

3. We waited at the stop … half an hour.

4. She has been here … four o’clock.

5. No, I have … been there.

6. Ann hasn’t finished her work … .

7. They haven’t seen each other … last September.

8. Have you … eaten Thai food?

9. I am not hungry I have … had dinner.

10. Alex has known me … many years.

Ex.8 Choose the right form of the verb:

1. We (have had/had) five lessons on Friday.

2. (Were you/have you been) to India?

3. I can’t find my key. I think I (have lost/lost) it.

4. Look! He (scored/ has scored)a goal!

5. They (didn’t see/haven’t seen) us since last month.

6. (Have you seen/did you see) this film last month?

7. Sorry, I (didn’t finish/haven’t finished) my report yet.

8. What countries (has… visited/did…visited)Brian?

9. My friend Tim (always wanted/has always wanted) to travel to Japan.

10. Some people (never saw/have never seen) snow in their entire life.

Ex. 9 Translate into English:

1. Ми вже прочитали про активіста Віздома.

2. Він затримав та роззброїв пятьох злочинців.

3. Він працює над цією справою вже три тижні.

4. Слідчий нарешті надав речові докази.

5. Вона вже розповіла про жарт у газеті.

6. Сержант Рівз вже зателефонував і розповів мені про справу.

7. Я не бачив його останні часом.

8. Ми знаходимось тут з 7-ї години.

9. Алекс щойно почув новини.

10. Дай мені, будь-ласка, ручку. Я загубив свою.

11. Що він зробив з моєю книжкою! Він її порвав.

12. Ми щойно здали сесію і тепер можемо відпочивати.

13. Він вже повідомив усіх про збори колективу.

Ex. 10 Copy out sentences using the verbs in brackets in Present Perfect Tense

1. I (read) the book.

2. She (give) her friend a clock.

3. He (tell) me the answer to my question.

4. They (go) away with some friends.

5. The students (write) some short stories.

6. We (see) a play by Shaw.

7. He (leave) his book at home.

8. You (do) this work well.

9. She (give) us the tickets.