Материал для чтения по теме The legal system in England and Wales

The legal system in England and Wales.

Magistrates' Courts - суды низшей инстанции

Justices of the Peace (JPs) - мировой судья

Jury - присяжные

Crown courts - суды высшей инстанции

County courts - окружные суды

To plead guilty - признать вину

To pass sentence - вынести приговор

Solicitors - Юристы (консультанты)

Barristers - адвокат (имеющий право выступать в высш. судах)

Unanimous verdict-единогласное решение

To appeal - обжаловать решение суда

When the police believe that somebody has committed a crime, they arrest the person and the case is heard in court as a criminal case. The courts also deal with civil cases, where no crime has been committed, such as cases of divorce or disputes over property.

Less serious criminal and civil cases are dealt with in the Magistrates' Courts, where there is no jury. The case is usually heard by two or three magistrates, also known as Justices of the Peace (JPs). When they have heard a case, the magistrates reach a verdict and where necessary decide what the punishment should be.

More serious cases are heard by judges in the crown courts (for criminal cases) or the county courts (for civil cases). In civil cases, and in cases where the defendant has pleaded guilty, the judge sits alone, without a jury, and after hearing the case, makes a decision.

If the defendant pleads not guilty, he or she is tried before a jury. When the evidence has been heard, the judge goes over the facts of the case and explains the law to the jury. If they find the accused guilty, the judge passes sentence.

Solicitors are lawyers who do legal business for individuals and companies and also act as advocates, representing clients in court.

Barristers are the only lawyers allowed to appear as advocates in the higher courts. One barrister (the Counsel for the prosecution) tries to prove that the accused committed the crime. The advocate representing the defendant (the Counsel for the defense) tries to show that he or she is innocent. They call witnesses and question them about the facts of the case.

The jury in England and Wales is made up of twelve ordinary people aged between 18 and 65. When they have heard the evidence and the judge's summing-up, they retire to a special room to decide whether to return a verdict of guilty or not. If they all agree, they have reached a unanimous verdict. If no more than two people disagree, the judge may ask for a majority verdict. If the accused is found guilty, he or she has the right to appeal and ask for the case to be heard by a higher court.

1)Give the definitions to these words:

Barristers - …

Solicitors - …

2)Answer the questions:

1. Where are less serious criminal and civil cases dealt with?

2. Is there a jury in Magistrates' Courts?

3. Do Justices of the Peace need legal qualifications?

4. Who advices the J.Ps on the law?

5. Where are more serious cases heard?

3)Find in the text and read out the information about:

- The jury in England and Wales;

- Justices of the Peace;

- The Counsel for the prosecution;

- The Counsel for the defense.