Legal english
Etablissement : Faculté de Droit – Lille et Issy-les-Moulineaux
Langue : Anglais
Formation(s) dans laquelle/lesquelles le cours apparait :
Période : S2
The aim of this course is to improve the student’s oral and writing skills in English, by
providing legal vocabulary on various topics.
At the end of the course, the student should be able to:
- understand the specificities and general characteristics of major legal systems
- understand the differences between Common Law and Civil Law Systems
- know the structure of the Justice system in Common Law countries
- understand the structure of a court ruling in Common Law countries
- use legal vocabulary more concisely and effectively, both when speaking and writing
- improve their writing skills in Legal English
- have the necessary Legal English level for the L2 Legal English course
The course consists of 9 lessons of 3 hours (27 hours)
1. THE EXISTING MAJOR LEGAL SYSTEMS
a. The origins of Civil Law and Common Law Systems
b. Differences between Civil Law and Common Law Systems
2. JUDICIAL ORGANISATION OF COMMON LAW SYSTEMS: THE EXAMPLE OF THE
UK
a. The UK Court System
b. The separation of powers in the UK
3. THE MAIN ACTORS IN A COURTROOM
a. Lawyers, Barristers and Solicitors
b. Judges, magistrates and jury
4. LAW v. STATUTES/ PERSUASIVE AND BINDING INFLUENCE OF COURTS’
DECISIONS
a. The concept of Law and Statutory Law in Civil Law and Common Law Systems
b. The place of Statutory Law in both Legal Systems and The Doctrine of Stare Decisis in
Common Law countries
5. THE US LEGAL SYSTEM
a. The US Constitution and the Separation of Powers: Checks and Balances
b. The Federal Court System
6. DELIBERATION OF A JURY IN THE AMERICAN JUDICIAL SYSTEM
Writing assignment
7. INTRODUCTION TO ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION (ADR)
a. Negotiation, Mediation and Conciliation
b. Arbitration
8. DISTINCTION BETWEEN REAL RIGHTS AND PERSONAL RIGHTS
a. Real Rights
b. Personal Rights: The Law of Obligations
9. Classroom debate
