A Practical Guide to the Legal Profession

In some English-speaking countries and Ukraine

Под общей редакцией

кандидата филологических наук И.П. Липко

Составители:

С.М. Воронин, ст. преподаватель;

Т.С. Лозбень, ст. преподаватель;

Т.Є. Малєєва, ст. преподаватель.

От авторов

Цель данного сборника – совершенствование навыков устной речи на английском языке у студентов юридических вузов на материале страноведческого характера, а также на материале, связанном с особенностями юридической профессии в англоязычных странах и Украине.

Сборник состоит из двух частей. В первую входит информация, знакомящая с системой организации власти в Соединённом Королевстве Великобритании и Северной Ирландии, США, Канаде, Австралии и Новой Зеландии. Вторая часть отражает различные аспекты юридической профессии в странах изучаемого языка и в Украине. Материал организован в вопросно-ответной форме.

В обеих частях сборника материалу по каждой теме предшествует небольшой терминологический словарь, способствующий адекватному пониманию англоязычной юридической лексики.

Тематический материал сборника заимствован из оригинальной научной юридической литературы Англии, США, Канады и Украины.

Предназначен сборник для студентов 1-3 курсов юридических вузов.

(Слова благодарности)

CONTENTS

Part I

The System of Government

1. Ukraine

2. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

3. The United States of America

4. Canada

5. Australia

6. New Zealand

Part II

Comparative Aspects of the Legal Profession

1. The Law System in Ukraine

2. Legal Education in the USA and GB

The Legal Profession

3. Legal Education in Ukraine

The National Law Academy of Ukraine named after Yaroslav the Wise

4. Police in the USA, GB and Canada.

The F.B.I.

Interpol

5. The Militia in Ukraine

6. Investigation Departments in Ukraine

7. United States Military Justice System

8. Courts in Ukraine and their Functions

9. Courts in the United States and England and their Functions

10. Procurator’s Office in Ukraine

11. Some Facts About Legal Prosecution in Different Countries

12. The Bar in Ukraine

13. Notary Bodies in Ukraine

14. How the Pensions Work in the USA

Part I

System of Government

Ukraine

Vocabulary

to be located – бути розташованим / находиться, располагаться

to border on – межувати з / граничить с

to be washed by – омиватися / омываться

an autonomous republic – автономна республіка / автономная республика

a sovereign state – суверенна держава / суверенное государство

to declare/ to proclaim independence – проголошувати незалежність / провозглашать независимость

legislative power – законодавча влада / законодательная власть

executive power – виконавча влада / исполнительная власть

judicial power – судова влада / судебная власть

the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces – Головнокомандувач Збройних Сил / Главнокомандующий Вооружённых Сил

to be responsible for – бути відповідальним за / быть ответственным за

higher and local state bodies of power – вищі та місцеві органи державної влади / высшие и местные органы государственной власти

courts of general jurisdiction – суди загальної юрисдикції / суды общей юрисдикции

election – вибори / выборы

secret ballot – таємне голосування / тайное голосование

a right to vote – право голосу / право голоса

compulsory – обов’язковий / обязательный

to hold a referendum – проводити референдум / проводить референдум

a national holiday – національне свято / национальный праздник

Independence Day – День Незалежності / День Независимости

the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) – Співдружність Незалежних Держав / Содружество Независимых Государств

the United Nations (UN) – Організація Об’єднаних Націй (ООН) / Организация Объединённых Наций

the Council of Europe – Рада Європи / Совет Европы

the Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) – Організація Безпеки і Співробітництва в Європі (ОБСЄ) / Организация Безопасности и Сотрудничества в Европе (ОБСЕ)

- What country do you live in?

- We live in Ukraine, a country in Eastern Europe. It is the second largest country in Europe after Russia.

- What countries does Ukraine border on?

- It borders on Russia, Belarus, Moldova, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania.

- What seas is it washed by?

- It is washed by the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov and has very important ports.

- How many administrative regions is Ukraine divided into?

- It is divided into 24 administrative regions and the Autonomous Republic of Crimea. Kyiv, the capital of the state, and the city of Sevastopol have special status, their governments are responsible only to the central government in Kyiv.

- What other cities are there in Ukraine?

- There are many large cities in Ukraine, among them: Kharkiv, the first capital of Ukraine, Donetsk, Dnipropetrovsk, Odessa, Lviv and others.

- What do you know about the history of Ukraine?

- The Ukrainian state system dates back to the pre-Christian epoch. Kyiv Rus, which was formed on the basis of Slavic peoples, became a powerful state. But in 1240 Batu Khan captured Kyiv. Since then for centuries Ukraine was under the rule of a succession of foreign powers, including Poland and the Russian Empire.

- When did Ukraine become an independent state?

- In July 1990 the Ukrainian Parliament passed the Declaration of State Sovereignty. On August 24, 1991 the Ukrainian Parliament proclaimed the Act of Ukraine’s Independence. Now this day is a national holiday – Independence Day of Ukraine. On December 1, 1991 a nation-wide Ukrainian referendum was held and 92 per cent of the population spoke in favour of the Independence Act.

- What state system has Ukraine now?

- Now Ukraine is a parliamentary democracy. It has its own territory, higher and local bodies of state power, national emblem, state flag and anthem.

- Who is the head of the state?

- President is the head of the state. He is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

- What branches of power are there in Ukraine?

- There are three branches of power: legislative, executive and judicial. The Supreme Council of Ukraine (the Verkhovna Rada) is the highest legislative body. It consists of a single chamber of 450 deputies elected for four-year term. The Cabinet of Ministers is the highest executive organ. The Prime Minister is the head of government and is responsible for carrying out its policy. The Supreme Court is the highest judicial body in the system of courts of general jurisdiction. The Constitutional Court of Ukraine is the sole body of constitutional jurisdiction.

- How is the will of people expressed?

- The expression of the will of people is exercised through election. Parliamentary elections take place every five years in the last week of March. The President is elected by direct, majority vote (by secret ballot) for a term of five years and may serve no more than two consecutive terms.

- Who has the right to vote?

- All citizens of Ukraine of 18 years and over have the right to vote. Voting is not compulsory.

- What international organizations does Ukraine participate in?

- Ukraine is one of the founding members of the United Nations (UN) and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). In November 1995 it became a full member of the Council of Europe. It is also a member of the Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE)