Basic legal terms Curr] ——$ 14 People in the Legal System: Civil Cases A civil case begins with a plaintiff. He or she has a complaint about the actions of another person or organization. The plaintiff files the complaint with a court. The person or organization accused of a wrongdoing is the defendant. Both the plaintiff and the defendant usually have attorneys. The attomeys speak on behalf of their clients. A paralegal, a person with legal training, may assist the attorney. In some cases, a jury listens to arguments for and against the defendant. Then they decide on a verdict. Finally, the judge makes a decision to resolve the ‘complaint. Get ready! @ Before you read the passage, talk about these questions. Vocabulary 11 What are some different jobs in the legal © Match the words (1-7) with the definitions profession? (A-G). 2. Which legal job would you prefer, and why? 1 _verdict 5 _ paralegal 2 _legal system 6 plait Reading 3 court 7 —civil 4 _complaint @ Read the text and complete the table using information from the text. > the methods of interpreting laws and putting them into effect Role or Job B a legal conclusion © a written document that states the reason for 1 files a complaint legal action D the place where people go to conduct legal 2 _____ is accused of a orime es i i E a person who accuses another person of a attomeys wrongdoing Pxoioaal i F an attomey’s assistant with specialized legal training 5 resolves a complaint G occuring between citizensBasic legal concepts Get ready! @ Before you read the passage, talk about these questions. 1 Why do people decide to take legal action? 2 What do people need to do in order to start a case? Cre eae oat neighbor? Butler and Evans is available to hel eriecicd SOR ee a a ern rc) initiate a lawsuit, call us. We are going to make ee ar eka mena sero) ore deena mene em cid ent we fail to settle or win ea owe us anything, So what do you have to lose? Call 676. Se Rr ees Vocabulary © Choose the word that is closest in me: underlined part. jing to the 11 Jane received money as compensation for her accident. A proof B damages © due process 2. The law firm helps people involved in an argument or conflict with their neighbors. Reading @ Read the brochure and mark the following statements as eae Re ar cee true (T) or false (F). 3 Ms. Harris wants to start the process of legal action. 1 — Butler and Evans Associates A appeal B initiate C settle helps people who have been hit abe 4 Everyone in the country has the right to racelve justice ‘ according to established mules. 2 _ The firms clients are responatie for EerGing roa ‘A dus process B appeal © damages to'the attomeye. 5 Mr. Tan initiated a legal course of action against his neighbor 3. _ The firm does not charge because her dog barks too much clients whose cases are not A ecpaal B lawsuit © dispute won or settled.