Cmprsn I

1.1 People in the LeEal System: Civii üases o

A civil case begins with a piaintiff, He or she has a
eomplaint about the actions of another person or
organization. The plaintiff files the complaint with a
co¡.rrt.
The person or organization accused of a wrongdoing
is the defendant" Both the plaintiff and the defendant
usually háve attorneys. The attorneys speak cn behalf 3
of their elients. A paralegal, a person with legal
training, may assist the áttorney
In sorne cases, a jury listens to arEurnents for and
against the defendant" Then they deeiele on a verdict. -+

Finally, the iudge rnakes a Ceeision to resslve the

eomplaint"

o
Lis
o' (
4 attorney

Get readSr§
() aefore you read the passage, talk about
these questions. Wocabx,x§mx'y
1 What are some dtfferent jobs in the legal § tvtatclr the words (1-7) with the definitions
profession? (A-G).
2 Which legaljob would you prefer, and why? 1 verclict 5 paralegal
2 ._ legal system 6- plaintiff

Read§ng 3 court 7- civil

4
- complaint 0
@ ReaOthe text and complete the table -
using information from the text. A the methods of interpreting laws and putting
them into effect
§*§ex *r *§*b B a legal conclusion
C a written documenl that states the reason for
1 * t-rüi 4*t^ files a complaint legal action
¡r
D the place where people go to conduct legal
2 is accused of a crime L, ,^i^ ^ ^^
uuSti tu55

attorneys
E a person who accuses another person of a
3
wrongdoing

Paralegal 4
F an attorney's assistant with specialized legal
training
L
resolves a cornplaint G occurring between citizens
 @ Ctrect< (/) the sentence that uses the underlined parts §peak§rxg
correctly.
! a § Witn a partner, act out the
0r 1 A' The plaintiff delivered a verdict at the end of the trial. roles below based on Task 7
- fhe judge listened to the attorneys' arguments. Then, switch roles,
a -{'g
USE LANGUAGE SUCH AS:
2 A-Twelve oaralegals determined the outcome of the case.
-lg-/' fhe decided that the man was not guilty. How is that ... going?
iury
What's wrong?
3 !'n The defendant hired an attorney to prove that he was Ih concerned that the ...
innocent.
B ln court, the plaintiff always makes the final decision.
d - §tuder"lt .&: You are an attorney.
t. 4 Í A, Vr. fi/eanefs attorney represented him during the trial. Talk to another attorney about a
Á B What verdict is the defendant accused of? civil case. Ask Student B about:
- o the case
rp ts C Listen and read the text again. Use the words in the o the complaint
photographs to present the people in the legal system.
o the problem

L istenimg
§tr¡dsr¡t §: You are an attorney
i
O G Listen to a conversation between two attorneys.
representing a client in a civil
Choose the correct answers.
case. Answer Student A's
'1 What is the conversation mostly about? questions.
A the creation of a complaint
B an attorney's advice to a defendant Wrlting
C a plaintiff's reaction to a verdict
D the progress of a civil case @ Use the conversation from
Task 8 to fill out an update on
2 \n/hy is the man worried? the attorney's case.
A The complaint is not true.
B The jury already decided.
C The defendant is guilty.
D The plaintiff has no proof. Atlorney:
.q

O í; Listen again and complete the conversation.

Piaintiff's eornplaint:
l:torney 1: Hi, Robert. How is that going?

:i
l::orney 2: Hey, Janet. lt's not going all that well, actually
l:torney 1: Oh? What's wrong? Possible 0utcorne:
: ::: i'ney 2: The defendant's 2 is pretty good. He's
making our 3 seem weak.
::i:rney 1: Well, it's not, is it? Reason:
-
I :: : .* e'i, 2: No, the 4 _ - owes my client thousands of
dollars. But that's based on a verbal agreement.

lfl j::3'.€r'1:
:::..nei 2r
I see. So the 5 has nothing in writing?
Exactly. l'm worried that the
,';,ll decide against us.
6-
v

Get ready! Q rirr

fro
$ Aetore you read the passage,
talk about these questions. Ot
W
1 Why do people decide to take
legal action? settle
2 What do people need to do in
order to start a case?

3
Burirn & ñv¿rxs
4

oí' dor

Listr
o;. 4,.

trial

Vocabulary
@ Ctroose the word that is closest in meaning to the
underlined part.
1 Jane received money-,=?s compensation for her accident.
A proof B damages' C due process
Reading 2 The law firm helps people involved rn an argument or conflict o
with their neighbors.
§ Read the brochure and mark
A adispute B alawsuit C atrial --: i

the following statements as

true (T) or false (F)., 3 Harris wants to start the process of egal action.
1 Butler and Evans Associales appeal Binitiate Csettle ."l , *

- helps people who have been

hurt.
4 Everyone in the country has the right to receive iustice
a"SArdtng to established
2 The firm's clients are
- responsible for bringing proof ¡''. due process B appea C damages
-tL i

to the attorneys. 5 tVr. Tan initiated

a legal course of action against his neighbor
3 The firm does not charge because her dog barks too much,
- -i 11 i
clients whose cases are not A appeal B lawsuit C dispute
won or settled.
 :i O nlt in the blanks with the correct words and phrases §peaking
f rom the word bank.

I §
;
Wittr a partner, act out the
roles below based on Task 7.
Then, switch roles.
action proof settle* t{i€t.-'aee€at
h USE LANGUAGE SUCH AS:

' -opefully, t\Ar. Wilton will be able to this problem She's ready to end this
dispute.
,', thout going to court.
What is she asking for?
2 ',lrs Janson decided to after the judge ruled
aga nst her. I suggest you ...

3 - rhls { 1 i-.¡ the defendant is accused of stealing

from a bank. Student A: You are an attorneY.
4 Ms. Britt wants to take against her employer for Another attorney has called to
-3t giving her a promotion, end a dispute. Talk to Student B,
iI your client, about:
5 l,:iorneys don't win cases when there is not enough
to support their arguments. o the attorney's offer
t'l o what the client must do
OI Listen and read the brochure again. What services . your advice
does the company offer?
t:

;'\tr¡***t S: You are in a dispute.

I istening Student A is your lawyer. Talk to
E @ í, Listen to a phone call between a client and an him or her about ending the
attorney at a law firm. Choose the correct answers. dispute.

'I ,,',,ihat is the conversation mostly about?

A an offer tosettle C the filing of a lawsuit Writing
B evidence in a trial D an injury from a car accident
@ Use the conversat¡on from
2 \Vhat will the man mostly likely do? Task I to fill out the
A Bring in more evidence.
attorney's notes.
B Refuse the attorney's offer.
,.. t.
C Pay for half of the damages.
D Drop the lawsuit against the woman.
ffiww&§mg Ww&ww
Ct
O S Listen again and comptete the conversation.

-3,', ieri Hello, [\,4r. Williams. I received an 1 from fVls.

Johnson's lawyer. She's ready to end this dispute.
:

ent: Really? What do we need to do?

-: ,, er ',Vell, she's not dropping the 2 unl,ess you agree

:o3
','/hat is she asking for?
Sre wants you to 4 of the
ra.nages to her car.
lr =-: I didn't wreck her- car! Someone -else ran into it.

-: i'r r ,.c,,rr, But since you have no 5 ,I suggest you settle.

-:l
='

::rt like it. But lguess 6 Clientwill .j .

Get ready!
Q eetore you read the passage, talk about these questions.
1 Where can legal professionals get information about cases?
1 legal encyclopedias
2 Why do legal professionals need good research skills?

Letter of Where do I look?

{v4irians Wheeler

There are many legal resources, Other legal publications rnclude

so it's important to know how case annotations and form computerized database
libraries organize them. books, Annotations are articles
l/ost libraries have a section for about cases, and they are printed
primary materials. These texts in law journals. Form books show

contain laws relevant to cases. how documents shouid be worded

Secondary materials give opinions
on the law. They include legal
encyclopedias and digests.
Encyclopedias often cite primary
sources in their references.
Digests summarize individual
cases that have similar lopics.
and formatled. Thankfully, rnost of
these resources are available on
computerized databases. That
way, you don't have to carry
around a ton of books! 3 reference

Reading form book

@ neaA and choose the correct answer.

1 Legal professionals publish their thoughts and 5 digests
assessments about laws in
A digests Vocabulary
B primary materials @ Write a word that is similar in meaning to
C form books the underlined part.
D case annotations 1 The texts that contain laws are on the first
floor of the library
2 What can be inferred about form books? p---a-- m-t----l-
A Judges use them when making decisions, 2 I'llary shoulC loox a: a collection of examole
B Attorneys use them to find relevant laws. documents to see ho,,r,io word the contract
C Lawyers use them when writing official papers. correctly,
D Libraries use them to organize computer -o-- b---
databases. 3 IVIany law books rne:t cn information from
primary materials,
3 Which of the following does NOT focus on __t_
information about laws?
4 The best place to f inc a^ op nion on the case
A digests is in a book that srrrmar zes cases.
EI computerized databases ,i__s_
C primary materials 5 The firm s legal soui'ces of information are
D legal encyclopedias located in the room next to lv'lr. Wen's office.
__s_
ü fi iead and choose the correct words. §peak§ng
' -^E caralegal can find the case annotations in
@ Wittr a partner, act out the roles below
-: (journals / legal encyclopedias). based on Task 7. Then, switch roles.
üE 2 s n¡uch easier for Jane to find resources USE LANGUAGE SUCH AS:
,',^en she uses the (form book / computerized
Did the law library have anything to help
d atabase).
our case?
: --e i^rriter noted all the texts he used in the There were several similar cases in the ...
-. cf (digests / references).
! Can you do me one more favor?
',',-'<. found the (case annotation /,primary ,
-aterial) in one of the legal journals.
: : if orm book / legal encyclopedia) is useful Student A: You a're a paralegal. Explain to
-er looking up what a legal term means. Student B the information you found at the
law library. Talk about:
B ;, Listen and read the text again. How do ¡ similar cases o dismissed cases
braries organize legal resources?
o sources

- istening I

I Studer*t E: You are a lawyer. Talk to Student

O íi Listen to a conversation between a
A about the research he or she completed for
'a',vyer and a paralegal. Mark the following l,
a case.
statements as true (T) or false (F). {
' : The woman located similar cases in the
d
,, Wr§t§ng
computerized database.
2- Young defendants without previous § Use the conversation from Task 8 to fill
convictions had their cases dismissed. out the paralegal's notes on the case.
3 The man asks the woman for a summary
- of the case annotations.

§ourees:
0 ¡r Listen again and complete the
: onversation
:o Useful ln{ormation:
-i,\ ¡'0I: Oh, lVary, you're back. Did thelaw '''-
á
case?
library have anything to help our
i
a : r': egal Yes, there were several srmilar cases in ,
:4
:* thel- .Apparently ,
§ in corYllTtorl:
§
q
judges often dismiss cases against What eases have
,g young defendants.
:

OK. Do those defendants have

anythingz- ? ri

;= :::al According to the 3 none

cf them had any previous convictions. i
I
^. That's perfect. -- a

.e
I also gathered 4 about i
:rimes involving youngoffenders. ¡
rnank you. Can you do me one more
- - :
'avor? Write a summary of the
5 on young defendants.
:
%*"-
: :.: :oal 5_
I

t§\§ :'cr
S *gaÍ
2 state law 4 court rules
statute
L§\§ I
§eadlng 0
L§§¡
O 6) Listen, read and mark the folloüiiñ['- 2
statements as true (T) or false (F).

1T Great Cars lncorporated did not obey laws

about testing its products.
2 \L
..b
Car [Vlasters lost a lawsuit because it did
3 9:

::
not meet state laws.
r^
S f" ffre plaintiff cannot sue under a
constitutional law for several weeks.

. i§i f§\\'\i 4
constitutional law ...
Voeabu*!ary
@ elace a (/) next to the responses that
Dear Ms. Marrin, !n G lll 0 I answer the questions. 5

Does this information pertain to the case?

::
I finished my research_o,l A
th.e Great Cars lncorporated
(GCt) iawsuit. Here are the A -!'Ño, it's about something compleiely
i*ó.rtrrlr.t"., different.
Recent national leqislation
,.qriL. ,',o, safety B Lister
testing ccr did ,* rll,:*.,lri ffi;: ñ,iirreo,statute -
Yes, the deadline passed yesterday
ts new, so it may not pertain
t;;;;:, 2 Are there any precedents that we can G) au¡
There is a precedenl lawy,
refer to?
dismissed rwo years
ago
l
ryl,
against Car Masters
".***, was
jü not ,at" Ar Yes, there was a similar case
cnanges to meet staie.láws .ru
dismissed rhe case
ta;ru;ilg.n. A judge two years ago.
requirements. ,rt", óri"i¿á.,"Jry
'|vrqürur § ,.,
,nu B No. the court date is scheduled for
- the 1Bth.
Still, the plaíntiff
Tqy sue under a relevant
consritutionat taw. But'courr,ri;i#, 3 Are there any procedures that we need to
atow him
the tawsuir y;. Thrt;#.'jur" follow in court?
Ajff.n" ,un*,
A There are several attorneys working at
Let me know if you
have any questions.
- the firm.
Sarah Jackson g (tnedefense attorney must be allowed
to speak first.

4 Did Anne frnd any regulations in the state laws?

Get ready§ A *, No, but she found some in the city laws.
B Yes. she th nks the company will win
$ eefore you read the passage, tatk about - the lawsui:,
these questions.
1 How are laws created in your country? Do
5 Do the court rules have information about
when to frle an appeal?
you think that system works well?
A Yes. the client has been in jail for 6 months.
2
B -!'
How do national and local laws differ:?
Yes, rt must be done within a year of a
decision
't\
. rbc
lht
S Otroose the word that is closest in @ 6ó Listen again and complete the
'neaning to the underlined part. conversat¡on.
hai " ;ne government made some changes to the
Lawyer 1: So, why is Great Cars lncorporated
aws that relate to government oower.
being sued?
on
A state laws B constitutional laws
Lawyer 2: They didnt follow 1
C court rules on brake testing procedures.
2 Tne council announced new rules decided bv Lawyer 1: I see. And a driver got in an 2
:re government for environmental issues. Lawyer 2: Right. Now hg's suing them for $1 million.
:, I A precedents B legislation C procedures Lawyer 1r It sounds 3 to beat. -?
Lawyer 2: We have a shot, There's a precedent
3 ,laroline needs to follow the steps to
from a lawsuit against Car lVasters.
:omplete an activitv very carefully.
Lawyer 1: I almost 4
A legislation B constitutional laws
They didn t meet 5
C procedures requirements for seatbelts, right?
-
I The orinciole which the law encourages states Lawyer 2: Yes. But a judge dismissed the case
that all dogs in [hqpark must be on a leash. as soon as they were able to follow
I\ the 6
A court rules \B J OolicV C precedents
5 -¡e article does not have any information §peaking -.
:onnected to the case.
A relevant B procedural C regulated S Witn a partner, act out the roles below
based on Task 6. Then, switch roles.

- stening USE LANGUAGE SUCH AS:

So why is ... being sued?
S ír Listen to a conversation between two
Now he's suing them for...
awyers. Choose the correct answers.
There's a precedent from a lawsuit.
' ,','hy is the company being sued?
A lt broke a state law.
B A seatbelt did not work. Student A: You are a lawyer. Talk to another
lawyer about a case. Be sure to address:
C A driver was in an accident.
D lt misused millions of dollars. . causes . money o precedents
2 ,'ihat is true of the man?
SÉi¡demt &r You are a lawyer. Talk to Student
A He considered representing Car l/lasters. A about a case he or she is working on.
-.1
B He thinks the woman should not take the
J
CASE"

C He works for the same company as the Writing

.,) woman.
>l

D He is working on the Great Cars lncorporated

§ Use the conversation from Task 7 to
,S, complete a lawyer's business notes.
latvsuit.

wwáww Date:

I met with ..**_today. is working on a case for_.

-s.
The company _. But thinks they can win
_that -_
the lawsuit. There is a might help them. Another