Each of the words on the left has a synonym on the right. Match them. Look at the text to help you

 

1. Capacity	a) After
2. Overrule	b) Confirm
3. Amend	c) Explain
4. Acknowledge	d) Discuss
5. Interpret	e)  Cancel
6. Approve	f) Allow
7. Enable	g) Ability
8. Debate	h) recognise

 

 

ВАРИАНТ 2

(Выполняют студенты, фамилии которых начинаются с букв П-Я)

 

 

THE CIVIL TRIAL

 

I. READING TASKS:

 

1.1. Skim the text quickly, then match each paragraph (1-5) with the correct heading (a-e).

   a) The defendant response to the complaint.

   b) The first official notice of the defendant.

   c) The first steps of the defendant after receiving the complaint and 

       summons.      

   d) The amount of time you have to file a law suit. 

   e) Filing a complaint.

 

PROCEDURES BEFORE TRIAL.

 

1. Each state and the federal government, has statutes of limitations. These govern the amount of time you have in which to sue after the incident on which the suit is based takes place, and you have more or less time depending on the nature of the suit. The justification for imposing these time limits is that it is unfair to require a defendant to provide a defense long after the incident occurred, when memories may no longer be fresh and evidence may no longer be available. Thus, after the time limit set forth in the statute of limitations has run out, the plaintiff is barred from bringing the suit – no matter how meritorious (serious the case is).

2. A lawsuit begins when the plaintiff files a document called a complaint with the court. The complaint recounts what happened to the plaintiff, what the plaintiff wants the court to do about it, and the legal reasons why the court ought to do what the plaintiff asks. The various wrongs the plaintiff claims to have suffered are listed in separate counts of the complaint. The complaint also sets forth the remedy the plaintiff is seeking from the court.

3. The lawyer for the plaintiff or the clerk of the court will draft a paper called a summons. The summons tells the defendant that a suit has been filed against him or her, who filed it, and the time and place to appear in court. This summons, along with the complaint, must then be given to the defendant. A sheriff or marshal may deliver the documents, or a private process server may be hired, or the documents might be mailed by registered mail. These documents provide the defendants with the first official notice that they are being sued.

4.  At this point, most defendants will hire a lawyer to prepare their defense to the suit. The defendant’s lawyer will determine when the defendant needs to respond to the complaint, discuss the details of the complaint with the defendant, and review the complaint and summons to be certain that it meets all legal requirements. If the complaint appears to be defective, legally or factually, the defendant may file a motion with the court.

5. Essentially, the defendant’s answer must make the plaintiff and the court aware of the defendant’s response to each allegation and count in the complaint, by stating whether he or she is contesting or admitting each allegation and court, or is unable to contest or admit because of insufficient information. A failure to respond can be interpreted as an admission by the defendant that the plaintiff’s allegation is true. The defendant may have an affirmative defense, where the defendant attempts to counter, defeat, or remove all or part of the contentions of the plaintiff. If a defendant raises an affirmative defense, the defendant will be required to prove it if the case goes to trial. If the defendant has the reason to believe that the court lacks jurisdiction to hear the case, the defendant should raise that issue at the earliest possible opportunity.

 

1.2. Read the text more carefully to answer these questions in a written form:

1) What do the statues of limitations regulate?

2) How much time does one have to decide whether to file a civil law suit?

3) What begins a lawsuit?

4) What points should be included in a complaint?

5) What is listed in separate counts of the complaint?

6) How does a defendant find out that he or she is being sued?

7) What does the summons tell the defendant?

8) What are the defendant’s opinions after being served with the complaint and summons?

9) How much information should the defendant include in the answer?

10) What is meant by an affirmative defense?