What is law?

Explanatory notes:

bear in mind – иметь в виду

real property (= real estate) – недвижимость

rules and regulations – правила и нормы

In everyday life people use the word law in many different ways. Actually the word law is very difficult to define. There is a field of law that is known as «jurisprudence», which analyzes the concept of law and is concerned with the philosophy of law. Throughout the centuries people have attempted to define law and set forth its role in society.

Law includes certain rules and regulations, statutes, procedures and orders usually enforced through a set of institutions (courts, parliaments, military and executive organisations and so on). It shapes politics, economics and society in numerous ways and serves as a primary social mediator of relations between people. The areas of law practice in which lawyers specialize are numerous. Some are included into large bodies of law, some refer to definite spheres of economy, business and human relations. For example, contract law regulates everything from buying a bus ticket to trading on markets. Property law defines rights and obligations related to the transfer and title of personal and real property. Trust law applies to assets held for investment and financial security, while tort law allows claims for compensation if a person’s rights or property are harmed. Criminal law offers means by which the state can prosecute the perpetrator. Administrative law is used to review the decision of government agencies, while international law governs affairs between sovereign states in activities ranging from trade to environmental regulation or military action. Writing in 350 BC, the Greek philosopher Aristotle declared, «The rule of law is better than the rule of any individual».

One of the roles of law is to maintain order. Another role of law is to resolve disputes that arise between individuals and to impose responsibility if one person has a legal claim against another. Between law and order on the one hand and settlement of disputes on the other, there are many situations that cannot be so clearly defined. For example, the income tax laws require that a person pay an income tax. If he fails to do so, or if he fails to declare all his income or take improper deductions, he may be subjected to penalties, but he has also failed to live up to his obligations to society. In any event it is important that one bear in mind that the law is not simply a statement of rules of conduct but is also the means whereby remedies are afforded when one person has wronged another.

Ex. 2 Study the words. Translate the sentences comprising them.

law, n закон, право

e.g. Law is necessary for peaceful society.

e.g. Law forbids stealing.

jurisprudence, n юриспруденция

e.g. Jurisprudence is the study of law and the principles on which laws are based.

remedy, n,v средство, лекарство; исправлять (ситуацию)

e.g. a remedy for economic ills

e.g. Action has been taken to remedy temporary shortages of supplies.

afford, v позволить что-либо; предоставить (возможность)

e.g. The country could not afford the luxury of an election.

e.g. We could not afford to buy a new refrigerator.

concern, n,v беспокойство; касаться; беспокоить

e.g. There is no cause for concern.

e.g. It concerns me that we’re not being told about this.

attempt, n,v попытка; покушение; пытаться

e.g. They are accused of attempting to murder British soldiers.

e.g. a deliberate attempt to mislead people.

define, v определять, толковать

e.g. a party with clearly defined programme.

e.g. The Supreme Court decision could define how far Congress can go.

set forth, v излагать

e.g. Dr Mesibov set forth the basis of his approach to teaching students.

shape, v влиять, определять

e.g. Our families shape our lives and make us what we are.

mediator, n посредник

e.g. to act as mediator between the rebels and the authorities.

refer to, v ссылаться, упоминать

e.g. In his speech he referred to a recent trip to Canada.

transfer, n,v переводить (деньги); перевод, передача

e.g. He wants to transfer some money to the account of his daughter.

e.g. technology transfer to developing countries.

e.g. transfer of medical records to a doctor.

title, n право

e.g. What is his title to the property?

assets, n (pl.) активы

e.g. The group has assets of 3.5 billion francs.

e.g. current assets; personal assets; fixed assets

perpetrator, n нарушитель, преступник

e.g. death penalty for perpetrators of terrorist acts

prosecute, v возбуждать дело против к-либо

e.g. The police have decided not to prosecute because the evidence is not strong enough.

e.g. to prosecute a claim

range, v колебаться, простираться (от…до)

(from…to over)

e.g. The children’s ages range from 5 to 15.

e.g. Our conversation ranged over many subjects.

maintain, v поддерживать, сохранять; содержать

e.g. The government was right to maintain interest rates at a high level.

resolve, v решать, принимать решение

e.g. We must find a way to resolve these problems before it’s too late.

impose, v возложить (обязанности), облагать (налогом)

e.g. The judge imposed a fine of 20 roubles.

e.g. The government imposed a tax on wealth.

claim, n заявление; требование; иск

e.g. They are making substantial claims for improved working conditions.

tax, n налог

e.g. We need to take steps such as higher taxes on tobacco.

subject to, v подвергать

e.g. The machine was subjected to tests.

live up (to), v жить согласно (принципам, моральным требованиям)

e.g. to live up to smb, to live up to one’s reputation

improper, adj неподходящий; несоответствующий, неправильный

e.g. improper activities

e.g. the improper use of medicine

deduction, n вычет; удержание; вывод, заключение

e.g. her own deductions about what was going on

e.g. Tax and National Insurance deduction

enforce, v приводить в исполнение (судебное решение)

e.g. to enforce a judgment; to enforce a law

Ex.3 Read the following combinations comprising the words from the text «What is law?» and give their Russian equivalents.

The concept of law, the role of the monarchy, to analyse the causes of our failure,

the regulation of affairs, statute law, legal procedure, Newton’s law, to observe the law, prosecution and defense lawyers, legal affairs, legal representative, the matter in dispute, to dispute a claim, the penalty for non-performance the contract, flexible moral laws, the law of gravity, a carrier in law, a law degree, to take legal actions, a wide range of environmental issues, a speech defining America’s role in modern Europe, United Nations mediation between the two sides, the title of a book, the remedy for unemployment, Chinese herbal remedies.

Ex.4 State the part of speech of the words of the same root and translate them.

Law – lawful – lawfully – lawless – lawyer – lawsuit;

legal – legalise; legislate – legislation – legislative – legislator – legislature.

Ex.5 Complete the sentences according to the text «What is law?»

1. Jurisprudence analyzes_______________________________________________.

2. Law includes____________________________________________________.

3. Contract law regulates_____________________________________________.

4. Property law defines_____________________________________________.

5. Administrative law is used_________________________________________.

6. International law governs___________________________________________.

7. The role of law is_________________________________________________.

Ex.6 Compose verb combinations with the word «law». Translate them into Russian. Use a dictionary.

study

read practise

apply enforce

observe LAW execute

break create

modify amend

enact

Ex.7 Look through Text A again. In each paragraph of the text find a sentence which best introduces or summarizes the information.

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Ex.8 Translate the sentences into Russian.

1. People must observe law.

2. A lawful act doesn’t break any law.

3. The word legal appeared in Middle English from Old French, where it came from Latin legis.

4. Common law countries are the United Kingdom, the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

5. Law is unwritten in common law countries.

6. In Russia there are codes with rules and regulations.

7. The word law appeared in ancient times when the Saxons invaded Britain.

8. Every country tries to provide laws which will help its people to live safely and comfortably.

9. In the RF tax administration is presented by the FTS (Federal Tax Service and tax inspection agencies).

10. The producers, distributors and sellers provide quality and safe products in order not to do harm or damage to consumer or user.

Ex.9 Match columns A and B.

A B

1……. law a) a group of people joined together for a particular purpose

2…….lawful b) someone involved in making or passing laws

3…….lawyer c) a system of rules that a society or government develops in order to deal with crime, business agreements and social relationships

4…….legal d) allowed by law

5…….legislative e) a person who is qualified to advise people about the law

6…….legislator f) things related to the law

Ex.10 Match the pairs of words which have similar () or different (x) meaning.

a)…….improper – proper b)…….law – decree

c)…….impose – apply d)…….shape – influence

e)…….concern – indifference f)……. remedy – right

g)…….claim – request h)……. afford – manage

i)…….subject to – expose to j)……. maintain – support

k)…….maintain – deny l)……. prosecute – defend

Ex.11 Give Russian equivalents to the following:

1) it shapes the societies in numerous ways

2) enforced through a set of institutions

3) a primary social mediator of relations

4) some are included into large bodies of law

5) transfer and title of personal and real property

6) tort law allows claims for compensation

7) a state can prosecute the perpetrator

8) to take improper deductions

Ex.12 Fill in the gaps with the prepositions in brackets.

1.«Jurisprudence» is concerned…..the philosophy of law. 2. Some areas of law refer …… definite spheres of economy. 3. International law governs affairsranging…… trade to environmental regulation. 4. If a person fails to declare all his income he may be subjected …… penalties.

(to, to, with, from)

The areas of law practice in which lawyers specialize:

Administrative Law административное право

Banking and Finance Law финансовое право

Constitutional Law конституционное право

Commercial Law коммерческое право

Contract Law договорное право

Criminal Law уголовное право

Family Law семейное право

Intellectual Property Law законодательствооб интеллек-

туальной собственности

International Law международное право

Antitrust Law антимонопольное право

Corporate Law корпоративное право

Environmental Law законодательство по защите

окружающей среды

Insurance Law страховое право

Employment Law трудовое право

Tax Law налоговое право

Real Property Law законодательство о недвижи-

мости

Product Liability Law законодательство об ответ-

ственности произвоводителя

продукции

Ex.13 Translate the sentences. Pay attention to the meaning of the italicized words.

1. He always referred to his friend as Mr. Lowry.

2. Unemployment was the electorate’s main concern.

3. Chapter II concerns itself with the methodological difficulties.

4. The technical aspects were the concern of the Army.

5. The Vatican successfully mediated in a territorial dispute between Argentina and Chile.

6. He has been awarded the title Professor.

7. The assets of a company or a person are the things that they own.

8. They range in price from $3 to $15.

9. He maintained his innocence.

Ex.14 Prepare the detailed retelling of the text «What is law?»

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