Unit VI. The work of a judge

Text 1: “Judges in Great Britain”

Task 1: read and translate the text

In Britain, the vast majority of judges (that is, the people who decide what should be done with people who commit crimes) are unpaid. They are called ‘Magistrates’, or ‘Justices of the Peace’ (JPs). They are ordinary citizens who are selected not because they have any legal training but because they have ‘sound common sense’ and understand their fellow human beings. They give up their time voluntarily.

Magistrates are selected by special committees in every town and district. Nobody, not even the Magistrates themselves, knows who is on the special committee in their area. The committee tries to draw Magistrates from as wide a variety of professions and social classes as possible.

There are two types of magistrates in England and Wales: lay magistrates and legal professionals permanently employed by the Ministry of Justice (United Kingdom).

If you are chosen to be a magistrate you will undergo compulsory training, usually outside working hours, which includes talks, discussions, practical exercises, observing in court. It will take 3 days (18 hours) and cover basic law and procedure. More training will be given throughout the service. Police officers, traffic wardens and members of the armed forces, as well as their close relatives will not be chosen. Those convicted of certain criminal offences will not be chosen either.

The second group, professional magistrates, are nowadays known as District Judges (Magistrates' Court), although before they were known as Stipendiary Magistrates (which is to say, magistrates who received a stipend or payment). Unlike lay magistrates, District Judges (Magistrates' Court) sit alone.

A small proportion of judges are not Magistrates. They are called ‘High Court Judges’ and they deal with the most serious crimes, such as those for which the criminal might be sent to prison for more than a year. High Court Judges, unlike Magistrates, are paid salaries by the State and have considerable legal training.

Exercises

1. Find the English equivalents for the following expressions:

1. подавляющее большинство

2. то есть

3. совершать преступления

4. мировые судьи

5. обычные граждане

6. которых выбирают

7. юридическое образование

8. здравый смысл

9. сограждане

10. добровольно

11. из представителей самых разных профессий и социальных классов

12. непрофессиональный

13. юристы - профессионалы

14. нанимаемые на постоянной основе

15. пройти обязательную подготовку

16. в нерабочее время

17. наблюдение за работой суда

18. основы права и судопроизводства

19. во время процесса

20. инспектор дорожного движения

21. вооруженные силы

22. близкие родственники

23. осужденные за уголовные преступления

24. в наши дни

25. судья местного суда

26. судья, получающий жалованье

27. в отличие от

28. судья высокого суда

29. иметь дело с чем-то, рассматривать

30. преступник

31. заработная плата, жалованье

32. значительный, зд. основательный

2. Complete the gaps:

1. In Britain, the vast majority of …. are unpaid.

2. They are ordinary citizens who are … not because they have any legal training but because they have ‘sound common sense’.

3. There are two types of magistrates in England and Wales: …. magistrates and … … ….professionals.

4. If you are chosen to be … you will undergo compulsory training.

5. Those convicted of certain … will not be chosen.

6. The second group, professional magistrates, are nowadays known as … Judges.

7. A small proportion of judges are called ‘High … Judges’

3. Fill in the gaps with prepositions:

1. Magistrates are selected … special committees … every town and district.

2. Nobody knows who is … the special committee … their area.

3. There are two types … magistrates … England and Wales: lay magistrates and legal professionals permanently employed … the Ministry … Justice.

4. Professional magistrates, are nowadays known as District Judges, although … they were known as Stipendiary Magistrates.

5. High Court Judges deal … the most serious crimes, such as those … which the criminal might be sent … prison … more than a year.

4. Correct the following statements:

1. In Britain, the vast majority of judges are paid salaries by the State.

2. Magistrates are selected because they have special legal training.

3. There are two types of magistrates in England and Wales: lay magistrates and legal professionals permanently employed by the Ministry of Finance.

4. If you are chosen to be a magistrate, you will undergo compulsory training that will take 3 months.

5. Police officers, traffic wardens and members of the armed forces are usually chosen to be magistrates.

6. Professional magistrates are nowadays known as traffic wardens.

7. High Court Judges deal with less serious crimes.

8. High Court Judges, like Magistrates, are paid salaries by the State.

5. Answer the following questions:

1. What kind of people are magistrates?

2. How are they selected?

3. What are the two types of magistrates in England and Wales?

4. What is the difference between them?

5. What kind of crimes do High Court Judges deal with?