Судебная система Шотландии

Судебная система Шотландии существенно отличается от английской и сохраняет значительную самостоятельность. По уголовным делам в качестве высшей и окончательной инстанции выступает расположенный в Эдинбурге Высокий суд юстициариев (the High Court of Justiciary). Он состоит из возглавляющего его лорда – генерального судьи Шотландии (Lord Justice General), лорда – судьи-клерка (Lord Justice Clerk) и лордов-членов Высокого суда юстициариев. Судья этого суда вместе с 15 присяжными слушает по первой инстанции дела о наиболее серьезных преступлениях, преследуемых по обвинительному акту (такие процессы проводятся в Эдинбурге, Глазго и других городах Шотландии). В качестве апелляционной инстанции Высокий суд юстициариев в составе трех или более его членов рассматривает жалобы на приговоры любых шотландских судов.

Постановления Высокого суда юстициариев играют весьма важную роль в развитии шотландского уголовного права и процесса.

Высшая судебная инстанция по гражданским делам – Сессионный суд (Court of Session), заседающий в Эдинбурге. Сессионный суд имеет внешнюю палату и внутреннюю палату. В суде внешней палаты судьи рассматривают дела по первой инстанции либо единолично, либо с участием 12 присяжных. В суде внутренней палаты, состоящей из наиболее опытных и квалифицированных судей, рассматриваются жалобы на решения суда внешней палаты. Постановления Сессионного суда в отличие от постановлений Высокого суда юстициариев могут быть обжалованы в британскую Палату лордов.

Text D The European Court of Human Rights

Task: read the text and give your understanding of the underlined parts of the sentences.

In 1950 several European states, which were united in the Council of Europe and met in Rome, decided to form a treaty whereby they could guarantee their citizens and foreigners who resided under their judicial authority certain rights and freedoms. Later other rights were added, while at the same time an increasing number of European states joined the European Treaty with a view to the protection of human rights and basic freedoms. Some of these rights have to do with protection of life and prevention of torture, and others have to do with family life as well as freedom of religion, of expression, of opinion, and of assembly and association. Victims of violations of these human rights can lodge a complaint against the state with the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe.

Since the inception of the court, more than 20,000 complaints have been lodged. How does the court determine which cases to hear? First, an effort is made toward reconciliation. If that fails and the complaint is recognized as valid, it is taken before the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. Only about 5 percent of the complaints ever reach the court. Up till the end of 1995, the court had passed 554 verdicts. Although the verdict of the court in the case of a complaint by an individual is binding for the state concerned, the situation where a complaint is lodged by a state or states is not a simple matter. In such a case, the likelihood is that the state against whom judgement has been passed will choose a course of political expediency rather than comply with the demands of the treaty. While the International Court of Justice at the Hague handles only disputes between states, the European Court pronounces verdicts also in cases of differences between citizens and states.

This court stands open to hear not only complaints of individuals within Europe but also complaints of countries against other countries when it is felt that fundamental human rights have not been respected. The increase in the number of court cases before international courts reflects the longing of citizens and some governments for justice.

Text E The International Court of Justice

Task: supply the text with the missing verbs in the correct form.

to bring; to decide; to compose; to elect; to embrace; to be obliged; to found; to bring

The International Court of Justice _____ by the Charter of the United Nations is the main judicial organ of the United Nations. All member-states are parties to the Statute of the Court¹. Every member _____ to comply with the decisions of the Court. The jurisdiction of the Court _____ cases which parties _____ to it and matters especially provided for in the Charter or in treaties in force. The Court gives advisory opinions on legal matters _____ to it by the General Assembly, the Security Council² and other organs. Its decisions are final and compulsory between the parties concerned. The court _____ of 15 judges elected for a nine-year term by the General Assembly and the Security Council, each organ voting independently. The judges_____ on the basis of their qualifications, not on the basis of their nationality. No two of the judges may be citizens of the same state. A quorum of 9 judges is enough to constitute the Court. All questions _____ by majority.

Notes:

1. Statute of the Court – Устав Суда

2. Security Council – Совет Безопасности