Law and the Legal System

The nature of Law is so complex that a precise definition is difficult to provide. In general law is a set of values, instructions and concepts that permit civilization to exist and people to live orderly lives.

There are dozens of ways to categorize law. The following four-fold classification scheme is proposed: substantive, jurisdictional, governmental and structural. Substantive law deals with human conduct and includes the broad areas known as criminal law and civil law. Jurisdictional law deals with the power of political entities. Governmental law views law in terms of the branch of government – executive, legislative or juridical, that created it. Structural law classifies law by the person, group or institution to which it is addressed.

In the USA there are four major sources of law: Constitutional Law, Statutory Law, Administrative Law and Common Law.

Constitutional law is the supreme law of the land and regulates the different branches of government. Statutory Law is created on the federal, state and local level as administrative regulations and judicial decisions. Administrative regulations are promulgated by government agencies pursuant to power delegated by the legislatures. The common law, or “unwritten law”, is the body of law that originates (emanates) from courts through judicial decisions.

Grammar exercises

I. Change the following sentences into the Passive Voice.

1. My sister teachers English at our University.

2. A famous Hungarian architect built this castle in the sixteenth century.

3. They will not finish their repair work tomorrow.

4. The students are discussing the latest political news during the lunch.

5. We were watching the film “Love Story” yesterday at 9 p.m.

6. The young men had written down their notes long before the break time.

7. Somebody has stolen the old woman’s purse.

8. They will have published the book till the end of the year.

II. Find two possible ways of changing every sentence into Passive Voice.

Model: They demonstrated some new films.

1. We were demonstrated some new films.

2. Some new films were demonstrated to us.

1). We will give a bunch of flowers to our teacher.

2). She showed them the way to the railway station.

3). The young actress promised to give us her signature.

4). They offered me a new job in an office.

5). I gave my close friend my favorite book of poetry.

III. Translate the sentences into English using the Passive Voice.

1). Вона доглядала за дітьми влітку.

2). Студенти слухали лекцію професора з великим інтересом.

3). Про цей фільм багато говорять.

4). У мене попросила поради моя подруга.

5). Британська Рада заплатить за нові підручники.

6). Коли дитина захворіла, ми негайно послали за лікарем.

7). Діти спали, світло було вимкнуто.

8). На неї очікували протягом години вчора.

9). Цю подію будуть ще довго обговорювати.

10). Туристів щойно зареєстровано в нашому міському готелі.

IV. Translate the sentences into Ukrainian. Mind which of them are used in Conditional, Suppositional or Imperative Mood.

1. It is desirable that you should sign the document personally.

2. He would write me a letter but he doesn’t know my address.

3. Let’s go to the library together.

4. It was extremely important that we should both visit this museum.

5. Don’t make me so much upset.

6. If you had graduated from the college, you would work at school now.

7. If I should be elected I would be very helpful for you.

V. Make the following sentences refer to the past.

1. If she were attentive, she wouldn’t make so many mistakes.

2. She would buy that costume, if she had money with her.

3. If I received any news, I should let you know.

4. Your sister would post your letter if you gave it to her.

5. I should speak English with Nick, if he knew English better.

6. If it were just a mistake, he would certainly forgive it.