CHAPTER 1: A CAREER IN LAW

SECTION 1. THEME-BASED LANGUAGE KNOWLEDGE

1.1. KEY TERM DEFINITIONS
A - TYPES OF LAW
Task 1: Match the legal terms (A-J) with their corresponding definitions (1-10).

A. Criminal B. Civil law C. International D. Administrative E. Company

law law law law
F. Common G. Commercial H. Law of equity I. Constitutional J. Statutory law
law law and trusts law
1. An area of law that deals with private citizens’ relationships, property, business agreements,
noncriminal matters, rights, and remedies
2. An area of law governing the creation and operation of governmental agencies and the legal
relationships between those agencies with the public
3. An area of law that governs the formation, rights, relations, and conduct of businesses
4. An area of law governing the relations between persons engaged in different business
settings and trading activities
5. An area of law which relates to punishing people who have committed an impermissible act
such as killing
6. An area of law that describes the fundamental principles according to which a state or a
country is governed, and defining the relationship and limitations on the functions of
different government departments
7. An area of law that regulates the relationships in which one person places trust in another
person to look after their belongings in an equitable manner
8. The legal system that has been created and developed by old customs and prior court
decisions
9. The legal system with written laws that has been created and developed by the lawmakers of
the government
10. An area of law which governs the ways in which different states and territories deal with
each other

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 B - LEGAL ELEMENTS IN A CASE

Task 2: Match the legal terms (1-10) in column A with the corresponding definitions (A-I) in
column B.

A B
1. Judge A. A type of lawyer admitted to plead at the bar and in superior courts
2. Jury B. A person, especially a public official, who brings criminal cases
3. Barrister against someone
4. Solicitor C. The process of resolving disputes outside the judiciary courts by an
5. Prosecutor unbiased third person
6. Claimant D. An individual or organization against whom an action is brought in a
7. Defendant court of law
8. Verdict E. A public official who hears and decides cases in court
9. Trial F. A person who brings a civil action against someone else
10. Arbitration G. A legal examination in court of a dispute between parties
H. A lawyer who is qualified to give legal advice and prepare legal
documents but cannot defend in a court
I. A group of people selected to come to a verdict based on evidence
presented in court
J. A formal decision on a disputed issue in a civil or criminal case

1.2. VOCABULARY PRACTICE

Task 3: Read the words and decide what type of law is relevant.

Civil law, International law, Company law, Criminal law, Constitutional law, Administrative law

murder, rape, assault, smuggling

1.………………………….

U.S., Vietnam in Dispute

Over Catfish Exports

…………2.……………….

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 speeding, fighting 3………………………….

contract disputes, divorce, copyright infringement

4………………………….

Task 4: Read the following situations and decide which type of law is relevant in each case.
1. Anna agreed to pay Paul £4000 to landscape the garden. Paul finished the work, but Anna was
not satisfied with it and refused to pay the money. This is a case of ______ law.
A. administrative B. constitutional C. corporate D. contract
2. Ken and Jim want to start a business together and they need a solicitor to draft an agreement
about how they will share the responsibilities of the business. This is a case of ______ law.
A. administrative B. criminal C. contract D. international
3. In 2007, the high-end signature handbag and luggage maker, Louis Vuitton Malletier, lost a
copyright infringement case against comedy fashion company Haute Diggity Dog. This is a case
of ______ law.
A. corporate B. intellectual property C. international D. criminal
4. Phillip has received an offer to buy his house, but there is a problem with the exact position of
the boundary. The buyer's solicitor must check this before the contract is signed. This is a case of
______ law.
A. real property B. intellectual property C. corporate D. criminal
5. Elisabeth’s company transports goods from America to England by ship. However, there was
a bad storm at sea last week and the ship carrying the goods sank off the coast of France. This is
a case of ______ law.
A. maritime B. will C. corporate D. international
6. Emily has been in hospital and has been very ill after an operation. She thinks that the doctor
was negligent and that he has made her illness worse by his actions. She wants to claim damages.
This is a case of ______ law.
A. tort B. contract C. criminal D. labour
7. David has been using the Internet to send a lot of private emails at work and his boss says that
this is an abuse of the time for which he is paid. This is a case of ______ law.
A. company B. intellectual property C. IT D. labour

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8. Apple's App Store rules force rival developers to use its in-app payment system - which
charges up to 30% commission - and prevent them from informing users of cheaper payment
methods. This is a case of ______ law.
A. competition B. equity and trusts C. IT D. labour
9. Andy was accused of hiding $365mil worth of income to pay for the authorities for more than
10 years. He used offshore bank accounts and shell companies to do this. This is a case of
______ law.
A. competition B. tax C. labor D. contract
10. John lent Ben his new sport car so that Ben could drive to a business appointment. When the
car was returned, it was in terrible condition. This is a case of ______ law.
A. administrative B. equity and trusts C. labour D. competition

Task 5: Label the picture and answer the questions about legal elements in a case.

judge / jury / defendant / witness / barrister / bailiff

6. What do we call the judge in court?

A. Sir B. Your Honor C. Mr. Judge
7. What does “Order in the court!” mean?
A. I want some food. B. Be quiet. C. Please stand in line.
8. What does “The defense rests” mean?
A. The defense can go home.
B. The defense needs some sleep.
C. The defense has finished asking questions.
9. What does a barrister say when a lawyer is unhappy with what they hear?
A. They say: “Objection!” B. They say: “Disagreement” C. They say: “Protest!”
10. What does a judge say when the judge disagrees with the lawyer’ objection?
A. He says: “Overruled.” B. He says: “No way.” C. He says: “Rejected!”
11. What does a judge say when the judge agrees with the lawyer?
A. He says: “Right on!” B. He says: “Sustained.” C. He says: “Accepted!”

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 Task 6: Decide who says the following statements, and write Judge (J), Lawyer (L), or Jury
(Jr) after each statement.

1. “You may be seated.” ___

2. “Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth?” ___
3. “Call your next witness.” ___
4. “You may cross-examine.” ___
5. “Do you recognize…?” ___
6. “Have you reached a verdict?” ___
7. “Guilty!” ___
8. “Do you recognize exhibit A?” ___
9. “May I call the first witness?” ___
10. “Do you have an alibi?” ___

Task 7: Choose the correct verbs to fill in the blanks for questions 1-10.

A. represent B. argue D. demonstrate E. apply F. commit

G. act H. offer I. negotiate J. shift K. advise

1. A barrister is a member of the legal profession who can defend or _______ a case in one of the
higher courts of law.
2. Peter has passed the examinations of the Law Society and has a valid certificate to give
advice to members of public and _______ for them in civil cases.
3. Over the past century, the emphasis in modern law has managed to_______ from
legislatively enacted to judge-made law.
4. Andrea is most interested in business law and has helped to _______ defendants of their
rights at her university law clinic.
5. In Britain, a person who does not know much about the legal system may have a solicitor to
_______ them in civil and business issues.
6. For those graduates wishing to train as a commercial lawyer, our legal companies ________
trainees first-rate work in an informative, challenging, and busy atmosphere.
7. Our legal company take a flexible approach and are willing to progress candidates whose
applications ________ first-rate personal qualities and experience.
8. The trainees in this legal department will have opportunities to analyze judicial opinions,
________ legal concepts and rules into real cases, and learn correct legal citations.

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9. His main legal duties include advising clients on corporate and commercial matters, and he
may also ________ transactions or solve legal problems.
10. Our Graduate Recruitment Programme includes an excellent set of benefits for law students
prepared to fully _______ themselves.

Task 8: Choose the correct option for each sentence.

1. Many lawmakers all over the world all agree that law should be built upon _______ to make
sure everything is in order.
A. justice B. regulation C. morality D. tradition
2. Pursuant to the current British law, the state prosecutes those who commit a crime but not
those in a civil _______.
A. dispute B. case C. manner D. argument
3. ________ law is the main source of law of modern countries, referring to all kinds of laws
and legal documents are established legally by national organizations.
A. Fundamental B. Documentary C. Common D. Statutory
4. Basically, there are three branches of the government agencies, including the legislative,
executive, and ________ bodies.
A. legitimate B. judicial C. tribunal D. official
5. After university, my work as a trainee lawyer gave me useful experience in commercial
________, and I was offered a good position in a large law firm.
A. prosecutions B. litigations C. trials D. courts
6. During my studies, I volunteered at a local law ________ to help poor people who could not
afford to pay for a lawyer.
A. faculty B. court C. firm D. clinic
7. These law clinics offer free legal ________ to the local community and provide a useful
introduction to some of the day-to-day work of a lawyer.
A. convicts B. assistance C. arbitration D. principles
8. Since English is the language of the international legal community, law firms increasingly
expect graduates to have a good ________ of English.
A. option B. practitioner C. command D. degree
9. In a non-jury trial, the judge decides guilt or _______ over the trial and has the duty of
protecting the rights of those involved.
A. accusation B. freedom C. innocence D. prison
10. In a jury-trial, the judge determines the facts of the case and renders a _______ pronouncing
if the defendant is guilty or innocent.
A. commitment B. trial C. judgement D. attorney

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11. Those law students wishing to work in a large law _______ can consider taking subjects such
as company law, commercial law, and law of litigation and arbitration.
A. tribunal B. constitution C. practice D. organization
12. Once qualified, a legal graduate can work in private practice, in-house for a commercial or
industrial organisation, in local or central government, or in the court _______.
A. convict B. service C. arbitration D. fundamental
13. Instruction in legal English is becoming ________ in a growing number of law faculties all
over the world and law students have to study this subject in their first year at the college.
A. compulsory B. stimulating C. intellectual D. challenging
14. Traditionally, ________ mainly work in a law firm or as part of a company’s legal team and
do not work in a courtroom.
A. solicitors B. barristers C. judges D. witnesses
15. The defense attorney suspected that the jury was bribed to arrive at a guilty ________.
A. equity B. verdict C. principle D. claimant
16. In the end, the judge pronounced for the defendant, and also said that the ______ should pay
the court costs.
A. plaintiff B. attorney C. prosecutor D. magistrate
17. In the tort law course, some topics include liability for intentional and ________ caused
injuries to person and property, ultra-hazardous activities, invasion of privacy, and defamation.
A. negligently B. electively C. administratively D. fundamentally
18. Those law students wishing to work alone as a sole _______ in a small town may decide to
take subjects such as family law, employment law, and housing law.
A. prosecutor B. practitioner C. diversification D. plaintiff
19. That attorney was fired for his _______ conduct in public, including using foul language and
being rude to the handicapped.
A. elective B. impractical C. negligent D. improper
20. In some countries, murderers are executed but other countries have abolished the death
_______.
A. penalty B. statute C. litigation D. tribunal

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 SECTION 2. LANGUAGE USE IN A WIDER CONTEXT
1.4. PASSAGE COMPLETION
PASSAGE 1
Read the passage and choose the correct words to fill in the blanks.
In England, a “barrister” is a member of one of the Inns of Court (= the four law societies
in London to which lawyers are members). That lawyer has to pass examinations and spend one
year in training before being fully accepted to ___(1)___ law. Barristers have the right of
audience in all courts in England; in other words, they have the right to speak on behalf of their
___(2)___ before the courts.
Magistrates usually work in Magistrates' Courts. These courts hear ___(3)___ of petty
crime, adoption, affiliation, maintenance, and home violence. The court can ___(4)___ someone
for trial or for sentence. There are two main types of magistrates: stipendiary magistrates
(qualified lawyers who usually sit alone), and lay magistrates (unqualified, who sit as a bench of
three and can only sit if there is a justices' clerk ___(5)___ to advise them).
In England, judges are ___(6)___ by the Lord Chancellor. The minimum requirement for
being a judge is that one should be a barrister or solicitor of ten years' standing. The majority of
judges are barristers, but they cannot practice as barristers. Another term is “recorders”, who are
practising barristers and act as judges on a part-time basis. The appointment of judges is not a
political appointment, and judges remain in office unless they are found ___(7)___ of gross
misconduct. Judges cannot be Members of Parliament.
Juries are used in criminal cases and in some civil actions. The role of the jury is to use
common sense to decide if the verdict should be for or against the ___(8)___. Members of a jury
(called “jurors”) normally have no knowledge of the law and follow the explanations given to
them by the judge. Anyone whose name appears on the electoral register and who is between the
ages of 18 and 70 is eligible for jury ___(9)___. Judges, magistrates, barristers, and solicitors are
not eligible for jury service, nor are priests, people who are on bail, and people suffering from
mental illness. People who are excused jury service include members of the armed forces,
Members of Parliament and doctors. Potential jurors can be ___(10)___ if one of the parties to
the case thinks they are or may be biased.
(Toles Legal, 2014)
1. A. serve B. practice C. enact D. follow
2. A. clients B. customers C. consumers D. tribunals
3. A. jurisdictions B. cases C. bailiffs D. principles
4. A. announce B. witness C. claim D. commit
5. A. obvious B. present C. missing D. apparent
6. A. promoted B. voted C. convicted D. appointed

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 7. A. guilty B. innocent C. responsible D. suffering
8. A. witness B. plaintiff C. accused D. prosecutor
9. A. statute B. service C. clinic D. Procuracy
10. A. challenged B. refused C. rejected D. denied

PASSAGE 2
Read the passage and choose the correct words to fill in the blanks.
In England we have two different types of lawyer. One is known as a solicitor and the
other is a barrister. Both are called ‘lawyers’. This can be a little confusing because in the USA
every lawyer is usually known as the ___(1)___. An English law student has to decide at some
time during their university studies which type of lawyer they would like to become when they
finally ___(2)___ as a lawyer.
Most English law students decide to become a solicitor. These are the lawyers that a
___(3)___, the person who pays for the services of a lawyer, will usually meet first. Often the
solicitor can help the client without the need for a barrister.
Most solicitors work in small private businesses, known as ___(4)___, in what are called
‘High Street firms’. This phrase ‘High Street firm’ refers to a typical, small group of solicitors
working together in the type of offices that you can find on the major streets of any English town
or city. A young lawyer will usually work first as an ___(5)___ of the firm and gain some
experience while being paid a fixed salary before being offered the opportunity to become a
partner. A typical High Street solicitor usually specialises in a particular area of law, such as
family, employment, or commercial law. Many people believe that solicitors cannot ___(6)___
for their clients in court but this is untrue. Thousands of solicitors appear in court every day,
especially in the County Courts where most claims are ___(7)___.
The second type of lawyer found in England is known as a barrister. Barristers are
usually specialists in a very particular area of law. They give advice and opinions to solicitors
and their clients. Barristers have the right of ___(8)___ (the right to be heard by a judge) in all of
the courts in the land. Barristers all work alone as individuals because they are forbidden to work
as partners. After several years of experience, members of either profession may apply to preside
over cases and sit as a ___(9)___. Within the English legal system, a law student cannot take an
exam to be a judge but has to wait to be ___(10)___ after some years of experience as a lawyer.
(Mason & Atkins, 2007)
1. A. magistrate B. attorney C. prosecutor D. tribunal
2. A. qualify B. familiarize C. confess D. convict
3. A. verdict B. bailiff C. witness D. client
4. A. legislation B. practitioner C. partnership D. equity

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5. A. associate B. accused C. administrator D. offeror
6. A. stimulate B. act C. support D. argue
7. A. investigated B. suspected C. issued D. completed
8. A. discussion B. bargaining C. innocence D. audience
9. A. judge B. jury C. procurator D. claimant
10. A. approved B. sentenced C. managed D. appointed

PASSAGE 3
Fill in the blanks with appropriate words to complete the passage.
Life as a barrister is prestigious, but it can also be extremely stressful. Julia de Burca is a
barrister in London. The first difficulty Julia had was to (1) _______ as a barrister at all. Only
500 or so law students manage to pass the Bar Vocational Course in England and Wales every
year. In an average year approximately 1,500 students begin the course, so many do not make it.
The Bar Vocational Course is described as a bridge between the academic study of law and
having to actually (2) _______ law in the real world. Julia passed the course three years ago.
In a typical day, Julia leaves her flat at 7.30am and arrives at her (3) _______, the special
name for a barrister’s office, at 8.30am. Julia shares a building with 14 other barristers. However,
they are not partners. Barristers are allowed to share office, but they are not allowed to (4)
_______ partnership. Every barrister is self-employed.
If she is (5) _______ a client that day, Julia travels directly to court. Speaking on behalf
of a client in court is called (6) _______ a case. As a barrister, Julia has the right of audience in
court at every level. She is confident and she is skilled at speaking in court. She is also required
to do a lot of research and a lot of (7) _______, which means writing legal documents. On days
when Julia is not in court, she spends her time preparing cases and writing opinions. She usually
leaves work at around 7.30 pm, taking any work that is not finished with her. Julia often works
long hours over the weekend.
Julia is a specialist in insolvency, so she advises clients who (8) _______ money but for
some reason they cannot pay. When a company has financial problems, Julia will advise the
company if it can legally continue trading. She sometimes has to defend clients in court when
legal (9) _______ have been issued against them. If her client loses the case and the judge
awards (10) _______ to the claimant, then Julia will advise her client on what to do next.
(Callanan & Edwards, 2017)

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