1.

Basic Legal Terms

- PERSON - Role or job

Plaintiff (reclamant) - Files a complaint
- Defendant (pârât) - Is accused of a crime
- Attorneys - Speak on behalf of their clients
- Paralegal - Assistent
- Judge - Resolves a complaint

2. Verdict – a legal conclusion

Legal system – the metodes of interpreting laws and putting them in to effect
Court – the place where people go to conduct legal business
Complaint – a written document that states the reason for legal action
Paralegal – an attorney’s assistant with specialized legal training
Plaintiff- a person who accuses another person of a wrongdoing
Civil – occuring between citizens

3. The judge listened to the attorney’s arguments.

The jury decided that the man was not guilty.
The defendant hired an attorney to prove that he was innocent .
Mr. Meaner’s attorney represented him during the trial.

4. - Buttler and Evens Associates helps people who have been hurt – T
- THe firm’s clients are responsable for bringing proof to the attorney’s – F
- The firm does not charge clients whose cases are not won or settled - T

2. Choose the word that is closet in meaning to the underlines part.

1. Jane received money as compensation for her accident.

         A. proof                 B. damages              C. due process  

2. The law firm helps people involved in an argument or conflict with their neighbor.    

         A. a dispute            B.a lawsuit              C. a trial

3. Ms. Harris wants to start the process of legal action.

        A. appeal                B. initiate                 C. settle

4. Everyone in the country has the right to received justice according to established rules.

       A. due process         B. appeal                 C. damages

 5. Mr. Tan initiated a legal course of action against his neighbor because her dog barks too
much.

       A. appeal                 B. lawsuit                 C. dispute

3. Fill the blanks with the correct words and phrases from the word bank.

WORD BANK

   legal action           proof          settle      trial        appeal

1. Hopefully, Mr. Wilton will be able to settle this problem without going to court.

2. Mrs, Janson decided to appeal after the judge ruled against her.

3. In this trial, the defendant is accused of stealing from a bank.

4. Mr, Britt wanst to take legal action against her employer for not giving her a promotion.

5. Attorney don´t win cases when there is not enough proof to support their arguments.

2. Listen, read and say if the following statements are true or

false.

1. Great Cars Incorporated did not obey laws about testing its products. - T

2. Car Masters lost a lawsuit because it did not meet state laws. - F

3. The plaintiff cannot sue under a constitutional law for several weeks.- T

3. Choose the response that answers the questions.

1. Does this information pertain to the case?

A.  No, it’s about something completely different.

B. Yes, the deadline passed yesterday.

2. Are there any precedents that we can refer to?

A Yes, there was a similar case two years ago.

B No, the court date is scheduled for the 18 th.

3. Are there any procedures that we need to follow in court?

A There are several attorneys working at the firm.

B The defense attorney must be allowed to speak first.

 4. Did Anne find any regulations in the state laws?

A No, but she found some in the city laws.

B Yes, she thinks the company will win the lawsuit.

5. Do the court rules have information about when to file an appeal?

A Yes, the client has been in jail for 6 months.

B Yes, it must be done within a year of a decision.

4. Choose the word that is closest in meaning to the underlined

part.

1. The government made some changes to the laws that relate to government power.

A state laws

B constitutional laws

C court rules

2. The council announced new rules decided by the government for environmental issues.

A precedents

B legislation

C procedures

3. Caroline needs to follow the steps to complete an activity very

carefully.

A legislation

B constitutional laws

C procedures

4. The rules, laws or orders states that all dogs in the park must

be on a leash.

A court rules

B policy

C precedents

5. The article does not have any information connected to the

case.

A relevant

B procedural

C regulated
Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction is the authority to judge legal matters. Jurisdiction is given to legal

bodies or political leaders. There are three main types of jurisdiction:

1. Personal jurisdiction is authority over a person.

2. Territorial jurisdiction is authority over an area.

3. Subject jurisdiction is authority over a particular subject.

Jurisdiction in courts can be exclusive or concurrent. With exclusive court

jurisdiction, only one court is able to decide the issue. With concurrent jurisdiction,
more than one court is able to adjudicate. In this case, lawyers are able to go forum
shopping. They choose the court which is more likely to rule in favor of their clients.

1 Personal Authority over a person

Territorial jurisdiction 2 authority over an area

3 Subject jurisdiction Authority in one particular

subject

Exclusive Jurisdiction only one court can decide

5 concurrent More than one court can

decide the issue

A The district court has subject jurisdiction over ten towns in the

area.

B The lawyer was happy when the court ruled in favor of

his client.

A The manager has authority over all the workers in his

team.

B The judge went forum shopping to find a court to hear

his case.
3

A Schools, shops and churches are legal bodies.

+B Judge Reynolds is going to adjudicate the case.

1. Mr. Jones wants to know which court has authority over

a region in this town.

Teritorial jurisdiction

2. The district court’s jurisdiction in this matter is the only one.

exclusive

3. In which circumstances does a court have authority over a

certain type of person?

Personal jurisdiction

4. Jurisdiction for the case is under the authority of several

different courts.

concurrent

5. Ms. Carter is choosing a court to see which court is likely to

rule in her client’s favor.

Forum shoping

6. The Department of Justice is one of the organizations that

enforce laws in the US.

Legal bodies

7. The case is being heard in a civil court since that court has

+authority over the topic.

jurisdiction