English for Lawyers 2

Lecturer: Miljen Matijaševiće-mail: miljen.matijasevic@gmail.com

Session 1, 9 Mar 2016

Introduction to the Course

Engleski jezik pravne struke 2

Coursebook: Vićan, D.M., Pavić, Z., Smerdel, B., Engleski za pravnike, Narodne novine d.d., 2008.

Units 11-18

presentations available at http://www.pravo.unizg.hr/SJ/predmet/ejps2/nastavni_materijali/miljen_matijasevic

English for Lawyers 2 – Course outline

1. 1 Mar 2017 – Introduction to the course2. 15 Mar 2017– Roman Civil Procedure (11)3. 22 Mar 2017 – Constitution / Judiciary of the Republic of Croatia (12)4. 29 Mar 2017 – The European Court of Human Rights (14)5. 12 Apr 2017 – The Nature and Sources of American Federalism (15)6. 19 Apr 2017 – The American Presidency (16)7. 26 Apr 2017 –The Supreme Court of the United States (17)8. 3 May 2017 – The Case Method of Law Teaching (18)9. 10 May 2017 – Final Revision10. 17 May 2017 – End-of-term test11. 24 May 2017 – Student presentations12. 31 May 2017 - Signatures and Tutorials

English for Lawyers 2 – course syllabus

Attendance

Optional

Regular attendance (missing no more than 3 sessions)

◦ opportunity to take the end-of-term exam

The final examination

Mastering relevant vocabulary Being able to talk about the topics covered in the

syllabus, using relevant terms The extra material covered in class will help you

understand the content and prepare for the exam The exam will test the knowledge of the content

presented in the coursebooks and presentations

The final examination

problems with English?◦ take steps in time!

◦ student mentors (www.pravo.hr/sj - Engleski)◦ konzultacije

1. a presentation on a topic (more or less) related to the curriculum

Optional assignments

duration: approx. 15 minutes

2-3 students prepare each presentation as a joint project

minimum 3 sources must be consulted (e.g. one main and two additional)

Presentations

Presentations Some suggested topics:

◦ a Croatian court◦ a lawyer’s office◦ Ministry of Justice of the RC◦ an American president◦ US/English judicial/political history◦ the Bar Examination◦ etc.

Before giving the presentation, students MUST:

◦ consult the lecturer about the topic◦ consult the lecturer about the sources◦ show the entire PP presentation, as well as the

outline and notes at least two weeks before giving the presentation

◦ consult the lecturer about the pronunciation of difficult words

Presentations

Hints for a successful presentation

DOs:◦ involve the audience ◦ study your sources and compile the most

interesting bits of information into your presentation

◦ make eye contact with your audience◦ address your audience and use plain English◦ include questions and discussion questions

Hints for a successful presentation

DON’Ts:◦ copy from source word for word◦ read from a piece of paper – it’s BORING!!!◦ include full, complex sentences on your slides◦ use language you don’t understand◦ suffocate the presentation with images and

animations (especially if you do not make use of them!)

2. Mock trial

◦ available for a group of 5 students◦ facts of the case and role cards provided◦ details worked out by the participants

Optional assignments

REWARD for participating in a successful presentation:

◦ you can SKIP the oral examination

HOWEVER...

◦ you still have to take the written test◦ you MUST attend the classes (75 %)

Optional assignments

Separation of PowersREVISION

making laws

enforcing laws

collecting tax

creating policies, strategies and plans on spending tax money

etc.

Governance of a state includes:

Separation of powers

The Legislative

The Executive

The Judiciary

• What are the powers of each branch?• Which bodies represent the three branches of power in Croatia?

Separation of powers THE LEGISLATIVE – enacts laws, usually in the hands of parliaments, i.e.

the legislature, elected (chosen) by and represents THE PEOPLE THE EXECUTIVE – proposes laws, implements policies, ‘runs the country’,

usually the government and/or the president of a country, government departments (ministries) and other executive bodies

THE JUDICIARY – usually independent, the power lies in the system of courts, administers justice, enforces laws

The idea is to prevent any branch from having absolute power. Each branch is involved in controlling the work of the other two, although in different ways.

Separation of powers (RC) THE LEGISLATIVE – the Croatian Parliament

(Hrvatski Sabor)

THE EXECUTIVE – the Government of the RC (Vlada RH) and other administrative bodies (ministries, agencies, etc.), and the President of the RC

THE JUDICIARY – the Croatian court system: the Supreme Court of the RC (Vrhovni sud RH) and other courts

Legal terms Do not confuse the terms:

◦ legislation – zakonodavstvo (zakoni npr. jedne države)

◦ the legislative (power) – zakonodavna vlast◦ the legislature – zakonodavno tijelo (najčešće

parlament)

◦ the judiciary – sudstvo, sudska vlast◦ judicial, adj. – sudski, sudački

(e.g. judicial office – sudačka dužnost)

Thank you for your attention!