Vocabulary tasks

A Match the following English terms with their Russian equivalents.

1	circuit	a	государственная тайна
2	district court	b	зал заседаний суда
3	criminal jurisdiction	c	экономическая деятельность
4	powers	d	судебный округ
5	contract law	e	самостоятельный предприниматель
6	economic activity	f	полномочия
7	individual entrepreneur	g	договорное право
8	courtroom	h	уголовная юрисдикция
9	state secrets	i	районный суд

В Match the two parts to form sentences.

1	All claims addressed to a debtor are considered by	a	the highest bodies in such courts.
2	Individuals are entitled to file a constitutional claim on	b	connected with the state secret.
3	The parties may determine a court’s jurisdiction	c	immediately after holding.
4	The Supreme Courts are the first instance courts for the cases	d	as a supervising body.
5	The Rulings of the court of the subjects of the Russian Federation come into force	e	a court at the location of the debtor.
6	Presidiums of the courts of the subjects of the Russian Federation are	f	infringement of their constitutional rights.
7	Presidiums of courts of this level act	g	upon their mutual consent.

C Complete the following text with the words and phrases from the box.

evaluate legislation function

commercial disputes activities legal system

examine significance implementation

body influence

Opening remarks at Meeting with the Judges of the Russian Court

December 9, 2005.

President Vladimir Putin:

“The Constitutional Court plays a very important role in our country’s life, despite the fact that it does not directly 1) ______ criminal cases or 2) ______. But as a 3) ______ that has the power to interpret and 4) ______ the law the court, both directly and indirectly, defends the interests of Russia’s citizens, and this is a very important 5) ______.

The court is also having the power to initiate 6) ______ and participate directly and indirectly in the legislative process. The 7) ______ the Constitutional Court has on the legislators is visible and is of great significance.

Then there are also the Constitutional Court’s international 8) ______. The 9) ______ of the provisions of international law and the application of basic legal norms in Russia give particular 10) ______ to the Constitutional Court’s decisions and to our entire 11) ______, which is without question a part of the European legal system”.

Speaking

A What court do you think would deal with:

1 traffic offence

2 treason

3 infringement of rights

4 murder

5 failure to fulfil the contract

6 violation of the federal laws

7 bank robbery

8 state secret

9 violation of property rights

10 protection of business reputation

B Speak on:

1 the courts of first and second instance

2 the Constitutional Court

3 the Supreme Court

4 the Municipal Court

5 the Arbitrazh Court System

6 the legal proceeding

Over to you

A Discuss these points.

Compare the organization of the courts and judiciary in England and in the Russian Federation. Choose at least two of the following points which interest you and prepare to talk about your ideas:

1 Areas of jurisdiction of the courts

2 Hierarchy of the courts and system of appeals

3 Judicial and legislative functions of the House of Lords and the Supreme Court of the RF.

B Draw a plan of the Court System of the Russian Federation.