Property Law

Legal English Basics
TEACHER’S NOTES
UNIT 5
GENERAL WARM-UP
Start by introducing the following idiomatic phrase: To be one’s own person (used to describe a person who is
true to his/her beliefs, judgments, interests and opinions and who is independent of the influence of others).
You can do that by saying:

“Do you know anyone who usually knows what to do, is confident of his or her views and does not need others
to tell him or her what to do? Someone who is not easily influenced by others or is not influenced by other at
all? Yes? Well, than you can say that he or she is his/her own person.
Explain that it means that such person is in control of her or his life and does not allow other people to tell
her/him what to do.
Give more examples:
I will prove that I am my own person and that I can work independently.
Even when my daughter was little I knew she was her own person – she was stubborn and it was impossible
to beak her stride.
Nobody tells me how to do my job - I'm my own person.
You can’t believe everything they tell you – you have to be your own person and learn how to make
independent decisions.
Just be careful – he hates being manipulated. He is absolutely his own person.
Working for myself means that I can be my own person. I love it!
Encourage students to give their own examples of how they would use this proverb.
Then, ask the students what it means to them to own a thing. What is ownership? What can be owned?
You may use the following definition (but first try to introduce the terms in bold):
Ownership is the legal right to the possession of a thing. It means that as the owner of a thing you may
dispose of it within the limits of law. The object of ownership can be tangible such as personal property
and land or it can be intangible such as intellectual property rights over musical, literary or scientific
© Niniejszy materiał stanowi własność Małgorzaty Cyganik i jest objęty ochroną prawną. Wszelkie kopiowanie,
powielanie lub rozpowszechnianie bez zgody autorki dla celów innych niż dozwolony użytek jest zabronione.
creations of the mind. Ownership also includes rights allowing a person to use and enjoy certain
property (physical or intellectual). It includes the right to convey it to others.
p. 97
LET’S GET STARTED: DISCUSSION
Ask your students to read the description in bold. Ask them to choose some objects in the room and say who
they belong to or who may use them and why.
Then, ask them to try to answer the questions below the text in bold. Assist them where necessary. Try to
introduce as many of the terms in bold from READING 1 as possible.
Now, distribute Handout 1 – the students should assign each type of property (mentioned in the cut-out pieces)
to its corresponding category. These categories (explained in advance in the above definition of ownership) will
overlap, i.e. land is both tangible and real property, whereas copyright is both personal and intangible property.
p. 97
READING 1: DEFINITION OF PROPERTY LAW, OWNERSHIP AND OTHER PROPERTY RIGHTS
Explain to the students that they are going to read a text that will answer some of the questions discussed above.
First Reading
The first time, ask students to take turns and read aloud. Stop after each paragraph.
Check if the students understood the text. You can do it by asking general questions first, and then more detailed
ones. For example (para. 1):
General question:
So, what is property law? or So, can you now tell me what property law deals with?
(Encourage your students to answer in complete sentences)
Detailed questions:
What kind of rights does property law govern?
What kind of relationship does property law describe?
What is property?
How many types of property are there?
What is the difference between real property and personal property?
Students should answer in complete sentence.

Follow this procedure until you’ve read the entire text.
Second Reading
Now, ask your students to read the text again, but this time silently. Ask them to check if they understand
everything. Encourage them to elicit the meaning of unknown words from the context, if possible.
When your students finish reading, ask them to take turns at asking detailed questions about each sentence in
the text. They may ask the whole group or their neighbour – depends on the advancement of the class. Encourage
them to ask open-end questions whenever possible.
Now, distribute Handout 2 – the students should complete the gaps in the text with a term that makes sense in
the given sentence. It does not need to be the same word as long as it make sense.
Next, go back to Handout 1. Ask students to think of any possible rights and obligations that may be attached to
the properties discussed before. For example, a house: ownership title, but also limited property rights if a bank
holds a mortgage over the house. Land may be subject to easement, etc.
Finally, ask the students to answer the questions from the Discussion section again.
Extra Practice:
You may chose to introduce or review the topic by watching and discussing the video posted by
USLawEssentials on youtube.com entitled What is property law:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VU1Odf1hFTw
p. 98
LISTENING 1: WHAT DOES LAND REGISTER DO?
Write the term LAND REGISTRY on the board and ask the students if they know what it is. If not, explain that it is
a public institution that registers the ownership of land and property. This LISTENING 1 discusses the
Land Registry in England and Wales.
Ask the students if they have ever dealt with such institution? If yes, why? If not, ask them to
brainstorm the ideas why anyone should contact a land registry (e.g. to register a real property
purchase, enter a title to property, enter a mortgage, strike off a mortgage, etc.)
Before you start listening, you may have to introduce, such as: underpin / value for money / interests /
mortgage / secured loan / asset / property fraud / conveyancer / developer /record of ownership
(optional – you may skip this with stronger students and encourage them to infer the meaning from the context).
Next, tell your students that they are going to listen to a recording about Land Registry in England and Wales.
Ask them to read questions 1 – 10.
Play the recording twice. The first time, ask your students to listen for general ideas, just to be able to tell you
what the recording is about without minor details. The second time, ask the students to say STOP when they
hear the answer to questions 1-10. Make sure they get all the answers right. Play more times, if necessary.
For weaker students, you may print out the transcript in Handout 3a. They may read the text as they listen to
the recording for the first time. Second listening should be without the transcript.
When the students have answered all the questions, distribute Handout 3. Ask your students to listen to the
recording again and fill in each gap with the missing word. Each gap needs one word only. Read the completed
text and check.
Play the recording the last time. Ask the students to remember as much as they can. Then, students should take
turns one by one and say whatever they remember about Land Registry. Each student should say just one
sentence.
Extra Practice:
Land Registry must be contacted if you want to buy or sell your home. You may read the information on
how this is done in the UK available at:
https://www.gov.uk/buy-sell-your-home/print
Then, you may ask your students to compare this process with the one applied in Poland. This may be a
good opportunity to review the role of a notary in Poland. Moreover, it will be a good preparation for
WRITING 2.
p. 99
READING 2: LIMITED PROPERTY RIGHTS
Ask the students if they are the exclusive owner of everything they use and enjoy? Yes? No? If no, then on what
basis do they use and enjoy the things they do not own? Encourage them to give examples. Try to introduce as
many of the expressions and terms in bold from the text in READING 2 as possible. You may prompt your students
like this:
For example:
Teacher: Do you own an apartment?
Student: No, I rent it.
Teacher: Ok, so you may use the apartment because your signed a lease with the owner, right?
Student: Yes, that’s right.
Teacher: Do you think you will buy your own home in the future?
Student: Yes, I hope so.
Teacher: Do you think you might need to borrow money from the bank to buy it?
Student: Probably yes.
Teacher: Will the bank want to secure the repayment of the loan somehow?
Student: Definitely.
Teacher: How?
Student: They may want to have a right to sell my home if I do not repay the loan and get their money
back this way.
Teacher: That’s right. The bank may ask you to create a mortgage on your property to secure the
repayment of the loan.
Try to introduce the (registered) pledge and easement this way.
Next, ask the students to take turns at reading the text in READING 2 and answer the questions that follow.
Then, distribute Handout 4. The students should math the terms from READING 2 with their adequate
definitions.
Finally, ask the students to come up with examples of limited property rights that affect them, their family
members or friends. You may prompt them by giving your own examples, such as:
I own an apartment, but in order to buy it I had to take out a loan. The bank required me to create a mortgage
for the benefit of the bank, so if I fail to repay the loan the bank may satisfy its claim against my apartment. That
means it may sell it and get its money back.
I also have a car. Now I am its exclusive owner, but initially I also had to take out a loan to buy it. The bank asked
me to create a registered pledge over my car, so I had to enter the bank’s right in the pledge register. When I
repaid the loan, that encumbrance was released by the bank.
p. 101
USE OF LANGUAGE 1: TALKING ABOUT RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS
Explain that you are going to discuss the rights and obligations that different persons may have with respect to
the things they use. Brainstorm ideas for expressing right, obligations and prohibitions. At this level, students
should be able to mention most of the modal verbs highlighted in PRACTICE 3.
You may give them some scenario. For example:
1. Your property is damaged by another person? What can you do? What must or should the other
person do?
2. You fail to repay your house loan? What may the bank do? Is there anything that the bank must do?
3. You’ve cause an accident. What do you have to do? What mustn’t you do?
Then, proceed to PRACTICES 3–6. In PRACTICE 5, you may also read the sample answer in the Answer Key on p.
249. In PRACTICE 6, you should explain the meaning of the verb to vest (to grant a particular authority, right,
or property).
Finally, you may use Handout 5. You should cut out the names of various persons or security interests and put
them in an envelope. The students should draw one slip with the term at a time and explain the rights and
obligations connected with the given security interest or applied to the given person without mentioning the
actual term so that the other students can guess it.
You may give them an example:
I have to file an application the with land register to enter the bank’s right over my home. If I fail to repay my
loan, the bank has the right to seize my property, sell it and get its money back this way.
p. 103
SPEAKING 1: TALKING ABOUT POSSIBLE OUTCOMES
Ask the students:
T: What is your boss/best friend/colleague doing at the moment?

S: I am not sure – maybe (s)he is working.
T: If you are not sure, you should say that (s)he may be working at the moment.
Explain that if you are not sure of what is actually happening, happened or will happen, you may use modal verbs
to express this uncertainty. Explain that such modal verbs may refer to what is happening now (She may be
working), (has) happened (She must have forgotten about our meeting) or will happen (They should be here any
minute).
Put the cut-outs from Handout 6 on the table. Together with your students put the modal verbs in the order
from most to least probable.
Proceed to PRACTICE 7. The students should read the introduction first. Then, the teacher should ask them to
close the book and listen to you read the text. The purpose is that they should understand the idea of expressing
probability. After the first reading, ask the students to name any consequences of a mortgagor not repaying a
mortgage – whatever they can remember. Check if the students understand the following terms/expressions:
principal amount / due date / notice of default / default interest / serve a notice / to accelerate the repayment.
NOTE: explain the difference between the term interest (odsetki) and interest(s) (prawo, udział lub interest).
Underline that interest (odsetki) is an uncountable noun.
Before the second reading (by the teacher), distribute Handout 7. The students should listen carefully and
complete the gaps in the text. Read at your regular pace.
Next, the students should read the completed text. When they have finished, ask them to mention any
probability that is discussed in the text. It does not need to be in the right order, but pay attention to grammatical
accuracy.
Finally, complete the table under the text. Students should do that on their own, but assist as necessary. Check
the answers together.
Then, move on to PRACTICE 8. Read the instruction and the example. Discuss together as a group or with the
student (in case of 1-2-1 lesson).
Proceed to PRACTICE 9. Read the instructions. You may also read the sample answer in the Answer Key on p.
251.
Ask the students to choose one or two situations and describe them as requested in the instructions. They may
do that in writing (preferred in case of weaker students) or should speak out (just give them a minute or two to
prepare what they would like to say).
As homework, ask the students to think of a situation when they did not know what was happening or has
happened in their school, home or work and describe it. If there have been any changes in law recently, they
may also try to guess the impact of these changes on their work, on entrepreneurs or the public.
p. 106
USE OF LANGUAGE 2: MAKING, CHANGING AND CANCELLING APPOINTMENTS ON THE PHONE
Ask the students how often do they make, change or cancel appointments on the phone? Do they do it on their
own or do they have their assistants do that for them? What kind of appointments? What reasons do they give
to change or cancel an appointment?
Proceed to PRACTICE 11. Read the instructions. Emphasize the importance of exchanging pleasantries (polite
social remarks or an agreeable playfulness in conversation).
Explain to the students that they should read the conversations paying special attention to the sentences and
phrases in bold. Assign two students to each conversation (in case of 1-2-1, you should read together with the
student).
Pause after each conversation to ask detailed questions. You should encourage the students to use the
reported speech practiced in UNIT 4.
For example (conversation: making an appointment):
1. Where did Terry call?

2. Who answered the phone?
3. Why did Terry call?
4. What did terry ask Abigale to do?
5. Is Mr Smith available?
6. Where is Mr Smith?
7. What did Abigale offer to do?
8. Is Mr Smith available on Thursday morning?
9. Did Abigale suggest an alternative time for the meeting?
10. Could Terry meet on Thursday afternoon?
11. Is Friday convenient for Terry?
12. When will the appointment take place?
13. What did Abigale ask Terry at the end of the conversation?
14. What did Terry answer?
Do the same with the other two conversations.
Then, complete the table below the last conversation.
p. 108
SPEAKING 2: MAKING PHONE CALLS
Proceed to PRACTICE 11. Read the instructions.
Place the cut outs from Handout 8 randomly on the table. The students should use the sentences
and phrases on the cut-outs in their own conversations. They should pick one when they prepare the
conversation. They may change the dates, times and names.
The students should work in pairs (or with the teacher) and create their own conversations – they should
improvise (they should not write them down). They should make 3 phone calls: to make, change and cancel an
appointment.
p. 108
WRITING 1: EMAIL WRITING: CHANGING/CANCELLING APPOINTMENTS
Ask the students if they ever cancel their appointments by email? What is more appropriate – to call or write to
cancel? Why?
PRACTICE 13A
Follow the instructions. Read the email.
Then distribute Handout 9a. The student should complete the email with the appropriate work or short phrase.
Finally, the students should write their own emails. Suggest writing an email concerning their actual
arrangements in their life. This may be assigned as homework.
PRACTICE 13B
Distribute Handout 9b. Read it together paying special attention to the phrases in bold.
Next, the students should write an answer to the email of cancellation they wrote before. This may be assigned
as homework.
pp. 11–112
NOW IT’S TIME FOR A MORE GENERAL REVIEW. PRACTICE 14 AND PRACTICE 15 SERVE THIS
PURPOSE. ASK YOUR STUDENTS TO DO THEM.
You may want to review the students’ vocabulary first. Ask the students to explain in their own words the terms
used in the box in PRACTICE 14.
p. 113
WRITING 2: WRITING A LETTER OF ADVICE – BUYING REAL PROPERTY IN THE UK
Remind the students that you talked about Land Registry in the UK. Do they remember what this institution is
tasked with? If no, review as required.
Then, remind them about the process of buying a property in the UK discussed in extra practice based on this
printout from the website of Land Registry:
https://www.gov.uk/buy-sell-your-home/print
If needed, read it again.
Then, explain that the students are going to read a letter of advice regarding buying real property in the UK.
The lawyer explains the procedure to the client in detail. Students take turns at reading the text. Pause after
each paragraph and ask detailed questions paying special attention to the phrases in bold.
Then, ask the students to read the letter on their own again. They should remember as many details as
possible. Next, they should say whatever they can remember about the procedure.
Finally proceed to PRACTICE 16.
p. 114
PRACTICE 16
Ask the students if they know the procedure of buying real property in Poland? If yes, write down the most
important steps. If not, distribute Handout 10 – it contains these steps in random order. Help the students
arrange them correctly. You may also use Handout 10 if the students knew the procedure simply to reinforce the
use of appropriate vocabulary and phrases.
Finally ask the students to write a letter as instructed in PRACTICE 16. This should be assigned as homework.
In case of weaker students, first read the sample answer in the Answer Key on pp. 251–252. Then, just distribute
Handout 11 and ask them to complete the gaps in the text with adequate words or short phrases. The letter may
be optional, though recommended, homework for weaker student.
NOW IT’S TIME FOR FINAL REVIEW. Cut out the terms in Handout 12 and put them into a bag. These are all the
new terms discussed in this UNIT 5. The students should draw one term each time and form a sentence with
such term. Ideally, they should built sentences that refer to the topic of property law, but not necessarily. It is
important that the term is used in a legal context. This time ask the students to also repeat the previous two
sentences built by other students. Together with their sentence every student (starting from the third sentence)
should repeat two sentences and add one of his or her own. Make sure, however, that all the sentences are
correct. This is a good memory exercise and helps learn complex sentences and vocabulary, but only if the
sentences are error-free.
Don’t overdo it. There are a lot of new terms. If you feel that the students are tired or get bored, stop this practice.
Preferably after 10–15 minutes.
Next, distribute Handout 13. The students should use it for individual practice at home. It should help them
remember the terms discussed in this UNIT 5 as well as their spelling. They should translate the term first into
Polish; then they should cover or fold the column with the English version and this time translate from Polish
into English. They should repeat it as many times as necessary for them to remember all the terms and their
spelling.
END OF UNIT 5
Do you have any questions or comments about this material or the book? Write to me:
info@legalenglishbasics.pl
Handout 1
REAL PERSONAL INTANGIBLE TANGIBLE

PROPERTY PROPERTY PROPERTY PROPERTY
HOUSE CAR COMPANY SHARES
LAND FURNITURE OFFICE EQUIPMENT
COPYRIGHT DESIGN COMPANY PRODUCT
TREE BOOK TRADEMARK
LAPTOP CHAIR DESIGN CORPORATE

DOCUMENTS
Handout 2
Fill in the gaps with an appropriate word or short expression:
What is property law?
Property law is a set of rules governing the rights concerning things. In other words,
property law describes the legal relationship between a person and a thing. Such thing is
called ____________________. Property is the right to own, ____________________, use
and ____________________ a thing.
Are there different types of property?
There are generally two types of property: ____________________ property and

____________________ property. Real property includes land and everything that is
____________________ to it, such as a house or other building. Personal property is a thing
or a right not attached to the land. It divides into tangible and intangible personal property.
____________________ property has a physical form and may be a car, furniture,
equipment, or similar things. ____________________ property includes rights, such as
rights to securities (e.g. shares), or ____________________ property rights (e.g.
copyrights, patents, or ____________________).
Who is the owner?
The owner of a thing is a natural or legal ____________________ who holds an exclusive

or ____________________ title to such thing. If the title is exclusive, the owner is the sole
owner of the thing, and if the title is shared, the person is a joint ____________________
(co-owner). The owner has the right to possess, use, and convey its property. Moreover,
the owner may vest a certain ____________________ in its property in another person, for
example, through a lease or ____________________.
What other rights may be connected with property?
The owner may agree that a third party may possess, use or otherwise enjoy its property.
To do so, the owner will create certain ____________________ property rights. In this
case, the property is ____________________ with a third-party right. Such rights may
include an easement, ____________________, or mortgage. If such right is created, the
third party is vested with a title to the owner’s property within the limits provided for by
law or the contract. If anyone would like to see if any such right is created over a property,
they may check it in Land Registry (Land and Mortgage Register).
What kinds of obligations are connected with property?
The owner of property enjoys many rights connected with it, though must also comply
with a number of obligations. The owner is generally responsible for the property with
respect to other people and, therefore, bears the risk connected with its property. This
means that the owner must make sure that the property is safe for third parties. In
addition, the owner must pay property ____________________ resulting from laws.
Handout 3
TRANSCRIPT / Unit 5 / Track 5
What does Land Registry do?
Her Majesty's Land Registry is a ____________________ of the UK Government whose primary task
is to register the ____________________ of land and property in England and Wales.
It’s amazing how fast it developed. Back in 1862, Land Registry opened its doors with only six staff.
Today, its work affects the lives of millions of people in England and Wales. For over 150 years, Land
Registry has ____________________ the UK’s society and economy and has provided real
____________________ for money for everyone in England and Wales by ____________________
ownership, interests, ____________________ and other ____________________ loans against land and
property in England and Wales.
Behind the scenes, the work of Land Registry protects millions of buyers, sellers, and
____________________ enabling them to ____________________ land and property with complete
confidence. So buyers and their families can feel secure in their new homes – the most valuable
____________________ they may ever own. Business owners also do not have to worry about
property ____________________ and can operate with confidence, assured by a state

____________________. Employees at Land Registry work hand in hand with ____________________
and developers in England and Wales to provide more definitive ____________________ of

ownership, which makes buying and selling ____________________ simpler, faster and cheaper.
Land Registry is committed to creating greater transparency, accessibility, and real use of its data
through ____________________. Its digital commitment means that its staff and customers are more
connected than ever before. And not just in England and Wales. The ____________________ unit of
Land Registry helps countries all over the world develop efficient land and property
____________________. Its ambition is to become the world’s ____________________ land registry for
speed, simplicity and an open approach to data.
Handout 3a
TRANSCRIPT / Unit 5 / Track 5
What does Land Registry do?
Her Majesty's Land Registry is a department of the UK Government whose primary task is to register
the ownership of land and property in England and Wales.
It’s amazing how fast it developed. Back in 1862, Land Registry opened its doors with only six staff.
Today, its work affects the lives of millions of people in England and Wales. For over 150 years, Land
Registry has underpinned the UK’s society and economy and has provided real value for money for
everyone in England and Wales by registering ownership, interests, mortgages and other secured
loans against land and property in England and Wales.
Behind the scenes, the work of Land Registry protects millions of buyers, sellers, and lenders
enabling them to transfer land and property with complete confidence. So buyers and their families
can feel secure in their new homes – the most valuable asset they may ever own. Business owners
also do not have to worry about property fraud and can operate with confidence, assured by a state
guarantee. Employees at Land Registry work hand in hand with conveyancers and developers in
England and Wales to provide more definitive record of ownership, which makes buying and selling
houses simpler, faster and cheaper.
Land Registry is committed to creating greater transparency, accessibility, and real use of its data
through digitization. Its digital commitment means that its staff and customers are more connected
than ever before. And not just in England and Wales. The international unit of Land Registry helps
countries all over the world develop efficient land and property markets. Its ambition is to become
the world’s leading land registry for speed, simplicity and an open approach to data.
Handout 4
Match the terms with their definitions:
TERM DEFINITION
(a) a security interest in personal property securing the
EASEMENT payment of a debt or performance of some other duty
(b) a right to use and obtain benefits from the property of

EASEMENT APPURTENANT another person
(c) an easement that is attached to the land and benefits each-

EASEMENT IN GROSS time owner of such land
(d) a conveyance of title to property that is given as security for

ENCUMBERED PROPERTY the payment of a debt of the performance of a duty
(e) a party secured by mortgage

LIMITED PROPERTY RIGHT
(f) a thing that was charged with a claim or liability, usually to

MORTGAGE secure the payment of a debt or performance of some other
duty
(g) a set of rights that entitle a person to use, manage, and enjoy
MORTGAGEE property, including the right to convey it to others
(h) a person who pledges property

MORTGAGOR
(i) an easement benefiting a particular person and not a

OWNERSHIP particular piece of land
(j) a person who mortgages property

PLEDGE
(k) a party whose claim is secured e.g. with a pledge or

PLEDGEE mortgage
(l) a right to cross or otherwise use someone else's land for a

PLEDGOR specified purpose
(m) a party secured by pledge

SECURED PARTY
Handout 5
PLEDGOR PLEDGEE MORTGAGOR
MORTGAGEE LESSOR LESSEE
EASEMENT EASEMENT OWNER

APPURTENANT IN GROSS
Handout 6
MUST CAN’T SHOULD
CAN MAY COULD
MIGHT
Handout 7
What may happen if you don’t pay your mortgage?
When most people buy a house or an apartment, they borrow money from a bank under a mortgage.
The bank is then called the mortgagee and the borrower is the mortgagor. The basic obligation of the
mortgagor is to repay both the principal amount borrowed and the interest. The repayment should be
made before or on the due date. If the mortgagor does not do that, then it is a default on payment
and the mortgagee ________________________ a notice of default. In the notice, the mortgagee
________________________ the mortgagor of the late payment and ________________________
default interest onto the late payment. In addition, if the payment is not made after the notice is
served, the mortgagee ________________________ the repayment, which means that it
________________________ that the loan be repaid in full immediately.
There ________________________ various reasons why the mortgagor failed to repay the loan on
time. He or she ________________________ a job and ________________________ financial
difficulties, ________________________ an accident, and ________________________ to recover,
and so ________________________ to make the payment. The mortgagee
________________________ to cooperate and ________________________ to renegotiate the terms
and conditions of the loan repayment if the borrower asks for it.
However, if the parties do not find a suitable solution and the loan payments are still not made, the
mortgagee ________________________ to get its money back and ________________________ its
right to sell the property. The mortgagee ________________________ the property at a lower price
than its market value, or even lower than the value of the principal amount still to be repaid. In that
case, the mortgagor ________________________ repay the remaining amount from its own income
or other assets it owns.
Handout 8
I would like to make an appointment
How about this Thursday morning
I can set a time to meet, if you’d like.
Is he available?
How about the afternoon?
Would any time after 2 pm suit you?
And how about Friday, then?
He can see you at 3 pm.
Are any of these times convenient for you?
Ten in the morning would be great.
The meeting should not take more than an hour.
So you’re all set.
Is there anything else I can help you with?
You’ve been very helpful.
Not at all.
How have you been?
What a surprise!
Good to hear from you.
Would it be possible to reschedule our meeting?
Could we meet at 2 pm instead?
I should make it.
Yes, it would be fine.
And sorry for the inconvenience.
No problem.
I’m afraid he needs to cancel your meeting today.
Something very urgent has just come up and he won’t be

able to attend.
Would he like to cancel or reschedule?
Cancel for now, I’m afraid.
Thank you for letting me know.
You’re welcome.
Handout 9a
Dear Mr. Williams
I am _____________________ to change our meeting _____________________ for Wednesday, June 3rd.

Unfortunately, an important business trip has just _____________________ and I will not be
_____________________ to meet with you on this day.
Would it be possible if we _____________________ out meeting? Could we _____________________ by a
week? Would you be _____________________ for a meeting on Wednesday, June 10th? Would lunch time be
_____________________ for you?
I am sorry for any _____________________ this may cause you.
I _____________________ to hearing from you.
Yours _____________________,
Julia Cyrulik
Handout 9b
Sample Answer:
Dear Ms. Cyrulik
Thank you for letting me know in advance. Unfortunately, I will not be able to meet you on the day
suggested by you as I will be away on business. How about Thursday, June 11th at any time convenient for
you?
I look forward to you reply.
Kind regards,
Robert Williams
Now it’s your turn!
Handout 10
Agree the price with the seller
Apply for entry of the mortgage at the Land and Mortgage Register
Create a mortgage as security of repayment of the loan
Find an apartment that you would like to buy
Get a loan - arrange the loan with the bank
Make other payments accordingly to schedule set out in the pre-sale

agreement (e.g. to an escrow account)
Make the final payment and sign the final sale agreement, also before a
notary
The bank will propose you adequate financing conditions
Pay a down payment to the developer/owner
Move in!
Pay the tax on civil law transaction (PCC) (in case of secondary market
apartments) - it amounts to 2% of the transaction value
Sign a pre-sale agreement with the developer/owner
The developer/owner will provide you with the keys to the house
Sign a take-over certificate where you should write down any defects you
may detect in the apartment
Sign an agreement before a notary – it must have a notarised form,

otherwise it will be void
The bank will analyse your financial standing and creditworthiness
For the Teacher – Correct order:
Find an apartment that you would like to buy
Agree the price with the seller
Sign a pre-sale agreement with the developer/owner
Sign an agreement before a notary – it must have a notarised form, otherwise it will be void
Pay a down payment to the developer/owner
Make other payments accordingly to schedule set out in the pre-sale agreement (e.g. to an escrow account)
Get a loan - arrange the loan with the bank
The bank will analyse your financial standing and creditworthiness
The bank will propose you adequate financing conditions
Create a mortgage as security of repayment of the loan
Apply for entry of the mortgage at the Land and Mortgage Register
Make the final payment and sign the final sale agreement, also before a notary
Pay the tax on civil law transaction (PCC) (in case of secondary market apartments) - it amounts to 2% of the
transaction value
The developer/owner will provide you with the keys to the house
Sign a take-over certificate where you should write down any defects you may detect in the apartment
Handout 11
Complete the gaps with a suitable word or short phrase.
Dear Client
I was _____________________________ by you to provide you with the detailed information concerning the steps of an
apartment purchase transaction which you are considering. Please _____________________________ all the information
you requested.
You informed me that you have already found an apartment which you would like to buy and you have agreed the price
with the seller.
_____________________________, as you will be buying an apartment from the primary market which means that you
will not have to pay the tax on _____________________________ transaction (PCC) which is due in case of secondary
market transaction and then it amounts to 2% of the transaction value.
_____________________________, you will have to sign a _____________________________ agreement with the

developer. The agreement must be signed before a notary and must have a _____________________________ form,
otherwise it will be _____________________________. Upon signing this agreement, you will have to pay 5% of the value
of the property to the developer. Other payments will be made _____________________________ to the schedule
_____________________________ in the pre-sale agreement. The payments will be made to an
_____________________________ account once the developer presents a certificate of completion of the agreed part of
the construction works. This will guarantee safety of your payments.
_____________________________, you will have to get a loan. You informed me that you will finance with a 50%
_____________________________ and the remaining 50% through a loan. You will have about three months, according
to the payment schedule, to arrange the loan with the bank. The bank will analyse your financial
_____________________________ and creditworthiness and then it will propose you adequate financing conditions.
Next, you will have to create a mortgage as _____________________________ of repayment of the loan. That means that
you will have to _____________________________ your apartment with a right _____________________________ in
the bank to sell it if you default on payments. To do so, you will have to apply for _____________________________ of
the mortgage at the Land and Mortgage Register.
Once the developer informs you that the works are _____________________________ and present a suitable certificate
_____________________________ of it, you will make the final payment and sign the final sale agreement, also before a
notary.
_____________________________, the developer will provide you with the keys to the house. You will sign a take-over
certificate where you should write down any _____________________________ you may detect in the apartment. This
will help you seek any _____________________________ against the developer under
_____________________________. After that, you may move in – the apartment will belong to you.
I hope the above information will help you understand the process of buying a property. I am at your
_____________________________ if you should require legal _____________________________ in the
_____________________________ of the transaction.
Should you need any _____________________________ information, do not _____________________________ to

contact me.
Yours sincerely,
Tomasz Adamiak
For the Teacher - Full text:
Dear Client
I was instructed by you to provide you with the detailed information concerning the steps of an apartment purchase
transaction which you are considering. Please find below all the information you requested.
You informed me that you have already found an apartment which you would like to buy and you have agreed the price with
the seller.
First of all, as you will be buying an apartment from the primary market which means that you will not have to pay the tax on
civil law transaction (PCC) which is due in case of secondary market transaction and then it amounts to 2% of the transaction
value.
First, you will have to sign a pre-sale agreement with the developer. The agreement must be signed before a notary and must
have a notarised form, otherwise it will be void. Upon signing this agreement, you will have to pay 5% of the value of the
property to the developer. Other payments will be made accordingly to the schedule set out in the pre-sale agreement. The
payments will be made to an escrow account once the developer presents a certificate of completion of the agreed part of
the construction works. This will guarantee safety of your payments.
Then, you will have to get a loan. You informed me that you will finance with a 50% down payment and the remaining 50%
through a loan. You will have about three months, according to the payment schedule, to arrange the loan with the bank.
The bank will analyse your financial standing and creditworthiness and then it will propose you adequate financing conditions.
Next, you will have to create a mortgage as security of repayment of the loan. That means that you will have to encumber
your apartment with a right vested in the bank to sell it if you default on payments. To do so, you will have to apply for entry
of the mortgage at the Land and Mortgage Register.
Once the developer informs you that the works are completed and present a suitable certificate in support of it, you will
make the final payment and sign the final sale agreement, also before a notary.
Finally, the developer will provide you with the keys to the house. You will sign a take-over certificate where you should write
down any defects you may detect in the apartment. This will help you seek any claims against the developer under warranty.
After that, you may move in – the apartment will belong to you.
I hope the above information will help you understand the process of buying a property. I am at your disposal if you should
require legal assistance in the course of the transaction.
Should you need any further information, do not hesitate to contact me.
Yours sincerely,
Tomasz Adamiak
Handout 12
ACCELERATE CONVEY COPYRIGHT DEFAULT

INTEREST
DEFAULT ON DUE DATE EASEMENT ENCUMBER

PAYMENT
ENSURE ENTITLED EXCLUSIVE TITLE EXERCISE A

RIGHT
INTANGIBLE INTELLECTUAL
PROPERTY PROPERTY RIGHT INTEREST JOINT OWNER
LAND REGISTRY LEASE LEGAL PERSON LESSEE
LESSOR LIMITED MORTGAGED

PROPERTY RIGHT MORTGAGE PROPERTY
MORTGAGEE MORTGAGOR NATURAL NOTARIAL DEED

PERSON
NOTICE OF PERSONAL PLEDGE PLEDGEE

DEFAULT PROPERTY
PLEDGOR PRINCIPAL PROPERTY LAW REAL PROPERTY

AMOUNT
RELEASE THE SATISFY A CLAIM SECURE SECURED PARTY

ENCUMBRANCE PERFORMANCE
SERVE SOLE OWNER TANGIBLE THIRD-PARTY

PROPERTY RIGHT
TRADEMARK VEST
Handout 13
English Polish English Polish English Polish English Polish
accelerate
attached
convey
conveyancer
copyright
create a right
default interest
default on payment
due date
easement
easement
appurtenant
easement in gross
encumber
encumbered
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celów innych niż dozwolony użytek jest zabronione.
enjoy
ensure
entitled
exclusive title
exercise a right
holder of a right
intangible property
intellectual property
right
interest
joint owner
land
Land and Mortgage

Register
Land Registry
lease
legal person
lessee
lessor
limited property right
mortgage
mortgaged property
mortgagee
mortgagor
natural person
notarial deed
notary
notice of default
own
owner
parted title
patent
perform obligations
personal property
pledge
pledged property
pledgee
pledgor
possess
postpone
principal amount
property
property law
real property
release the
encumbrance
repayment
reschedule
satisfy its claim

against the
encumbered
property
secure a claim
secure performance
secured party
securities
serve
share
sole owner
tangible property
third party
third-party right
trademark
unlimited right
use
vest

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Legal English Basics

You can do that by saying:

Give more examples:

Nobody tells me how to do my job - I'm my own person.

Just be careful – he hates being manipulated. He is absolutely his own person.

LET’S GET STARTED: DISCUSSION

Students should answer in complete sentence.

Try to introduce the (registered) pledge and easement this way.

You may give them some scenario. For example:

You may give them an example:

Ask the students:

T: What is your boss/best friend/colleague doing at the moment?

For example (conversation: making an appointment):

1. Where did Terry call?

Do the same with the other two conversations.

Then, complete the table below the last conversation.

Proceed to PRACTICE 11. Read the instructions.

If needed, read it again.

Finally proceed to PRACTICE 16.

REAL PERSONAL INTANGIBLE TANGIBLE

HOUSE CAR COMPANY SHARES

LAND FURNITURE OFFICE EQUIPMENT

COPYRIGHT DESIGN COMPANY PRODUCT

TREE BOOK TRADEMARK

LAPTOP CHAIR DESIGN CORPORATE

What is property law?

Are there different types of property?

There are generally two types of property: ____________________ property and

Who is the owner?

The owner of a thing is a natural or legal ____________________ who holds an exclusive

What other rights may be connected with property?

What kinds of obligations are connected with property?

What does Land Registry do?

property ____________________ and can operate with confidence, assured by a state

and developers in England and Wales to provide more definitive ____________________ of

speed, simplicity and an open approach to data.

TRANSCRIPT / Unit 5 / Track 5

What does Land Registry do?

Match the terms with their definitions:

(b) a right to use and obtain benefits from the property of

(c) an easement that is attached to the land and benefits each-

(d) a conveyance of title to property that is given as security for

(e) a party secured by mortgage

(f) a thing that was charged with a claim or liability, usually to

(h) a person who pledges property

(i) an easement benefiting a particular person and not a

(j) a person who mortgages property

(k) a party whose claim is secured e.g. with a pledge or

(l) a right to cross or otherwise use someone else's land for a

(m) a party secured by pledge

PLEDGOR PLEDGEE MORTGAGOR

MORTGAGEE LESSOR LESSEE

EASEMENT EASEMENT OWNER

MUST CAN’T SHOULD

CAN MAY COULD

What may happen if you don’t pay your mortgage?

________________________ the mortgagor of the late payment and ________________________

served, the mortgagee ________________________ the repayment, which means that it

________________________ that the loan be repaid in full immediately.

the mortgagor of the late payment and

time. He or she a job and financial

difficulties, an accident, and to recover,

to cooperate and to renegotiate the terms

mortgagee to get its money back and its

I am _ to change our meeting _ for Wednesday, June 3rd.

_, you will have to sign a _ agreement with the

Should you need any _ information, do not _ to