Упр.4. Перед чтением текста 9 обратите внимание на перевод некоторых английских терминов

Justice of the Peace –мировой судья;

Clerk of the Court –секретарь по делам мировых судов;

Crown Court –Высокий суд по уголовным делам;

Lord Chancellor –лорд-канцлер (министр юстиции).

Упр. 5. Прочитайте текст. Расположите цифры, относящиеся к рамкам, данным после текста, по порядку, указывающему на отправление правосудия в Англии от суда первой инстанции к суду высшей инстанции. Перескажите текст.

ТЕКСТ 9

THE BRITISH JUDICIAL SYSTEM

A great majority of all criminal cases are heard in the magistrates' courts by magistrates, also known as Justices of the Peace (JPs).

The institution of JPs is very old, dating back to 1195. Magistrates are ordinary members of the community appointed to their post by the Lord Сhancellor. They are respectable people with some experience in life. JPs are not paid with the exception of a small sum of money to cover their expenses. They have no legal education, and in some cases are advised by a Clerk of the Court, a trained lawyer. Magistrates' courts consist of from 2 to 7 Justices of the Peace, and are in session twice each week.

Each British town has a magistrates' court. In all there are over 600 magistrates' courts in Great Britain. They try less serious (trivial) cases such as motoring offences, petty thefts, drunkenness, and minor offences of violence. Magistrates have the power to send people to prison for up to six months or fine them up to 100 pounds. If a case is too serious for magistrates they hear the material of the case, and then send the case to a higher court called the Crown Court where there is a jury.

Appeals against the sentences given in the Crown Court are sent to the Court of Appeal. Appeals on cases which are of public importance are dealt with by the House of Lords - the final court of appeal.

1. Crown Court (judge and jury)

2. Magistrates' Court (2-7 magistrates)

3. House of Lords (Law Lords)

4. Court of Appeal (3 judges)

Упр. 6. Ответьте на вопросы к тексту

1. Where are the majority of criminal cases heard?

2. What kind of persons are magistrates?

3. Do they have legal education?

4. How many Justices of the Peace do magistrates' courts consist of?

5. What cases do magistrates' courts try?

6. Where are serious cases tried?

7. What is the final court of appeal in Great Britain?