Lesson: Introduction to Legal Studies
- Legal English Basics - Lesson 1: Introduction to Legal Language
- Overview of the intellectual and challenging nature of studying law
- Duration of law degree programs in the UK and the USA (typically three years)
- Core subjects in law programs, including criminal law, contract law, tort law, land law, equity and trusts, administrative law, and constitutional law
- Importance of skills such as legal writing and legal research
- Career Paths in Law:
- Tailoring coursework to future career goals, e.g., family law, employment law, housing law for solo practitioners in small towns
- Specializations for those aspiring to work in large law practices, including company law, commercial law, litigation, and arbitration
- Exploring Legal Practice:
- University courses on legal practice and experiential learning opportunities
- Involvement in voluntary advice centers or law clinics for hands-on experience in legal work
- Language Skills in Legal Practice:
- Importance of foreign language proficiency for those interested in commercial law
- Hiring criteria for law firms: education, personality, work experience, and language ability
- Emphasis on a good command of English in the international legal community
- Activity: 1.1
- Engage in the provided activity related to the lesson content
- Company Law - Text B: Characteristics of a Company
- Legal recognition of a company as a separate legal entity
- Rights of a company to enter contracts, employ individuals, own property, and conduct business
- Governance of companies under the Companies Act 1985 and 1989
- Distinction between limited and unlimited liability companies
- Requirements for public and private companies, including minimum share capital for public companies
- Conclusion:
- Understanding the fundamentals of legal studies, including evaluation methods, legal language introduction, and insights into career paths and company law.
Lesson: Modernizing Legal Language
In this lesson, we will explore the transition from old-fashioned legal vocabulary to its modern equivalents. Understanding these changes is crucial for effective communication in legal documents. Let's examine some key terms and their contemporary alternatives:
Old-Fashioned Language - Modern Language
- Action - Claim
- Anton Piller Order - Search Order
- Discovery - Disclosure
- Ex Parte - Without Notice (to other parties)
- Inter-Partes Hearing - Hearing with Notice (to other party)
- Interlocutory Hearing - Interim Hearing (as opposed to final)
- Interrogatory - Request for Further Information
- Leave - Permission
- Mandamus Order - Mandatory Order
- Mareva Order (or Injunction) - Freezing Injunction
- Prohibition Order - Prohibiting Order
- Request for Further and Better Particulars - Request for Further Information
- Setting Down for Trial - Listing (Scheduling) for Trial
- Specific Discovery - Specific Disclosure
- Subpoena - Witness Summons
- Summons (to Commence Proceedings) - Claim Form
- Summons for Directions - Case Management Conference
- Thereafter / Thereinafter - Subsequently / Then
- Therein - Contained Within
Task: 2.3 Now, apply your understanding of modern legal language by completing Task 2.3, which involves comparing and updating old-fashioned legal terms.
Lesson 2: Agreements
Moving on to the content, let's delve into various types of marketing agreements:
- Agency Agreement:
- Principal authorizes an agent to sell goods on its behalf.
- "Privity of contract" establishes a legal relationship between the principal and the purchaser.
- Distribution Agreement:
- Supplier sells goods to a distributor.
- No direct contract between the supplier and the final customer.
- Franchise Agreement:
- Franchisor expands business through franchisees.
- Uniform business model requirements for franchisees, ensuring brand consistency.
- Joint Venture Agreement:
- Businesses cooperate on a specific venture.
- Enables resource sharing and risk mitigation in joint initiatives.
