In Great Britain laws are made in Parliament at Westminster. The British Parliament consists of the monarch, the House of Lords, and the House of Commons. Their work is similar: making laws (legislation), checking the work of the government (scrutiny), and debating current issues. The House of Lords is composed of life peers and hereditary peers. The House of Common is composed of Members of Parliament (MPs).

The idea for a new law can come from a variety of sources: bills may be introduced by any member of either House (a "Private Member’s Bill"), a Minister of the Crown (a "Government Bill"),

by the general public ("Public Bills"), by an individual or small group of individuals (a "Private Bill").

Amendments (proposals for change) cannot be made to a Bill at the third reading in the Commons.

The process in the House of Lords is very similar to the process in the House of Commons. The Bill will have the pro forma first reading, then the second reading. After the second reading the Bill will normally be referred to a Committee of the Whole House. The Bill then passes through a consideration stage and the third reading. In the House of Lords amendments may be made in the Committee of the Whole House, the consideration stage, and the third reading (this is different from the House of Commons where no amendments can be made in the third reading).

Vocabulary : 1. the House of Lords – Палата Лордов 2. the House of Commons – Палата Общин 3. similar – подобный, схожий 4. scrutiny – тщательная проверка 5. a life peer – пожизненный пэр (титул и привилегии не передаются по наследству) 6. a hereditary peer – потомственный пэр (титул и привилегии передаются по наследству) 7. to proceed to committee stage – перейти на стадию обсуждения в комитете 8. to propose further amendments – предлагать дальнейшее внесение поправок 9. to reach agreement – достигнуть соглашения 10. the Royal Assent – королевская санкция.

Задание № 2 . Прочитайте текст и ответьте на вопросы.

1. What is the legislative body in the UK? What does it consist of?

2. What are the steps in the legislative process?

3. What are the sources of bills? Who can introduce the legislation?

Задание № 3. Прочитайте и переведите диалоги.

Dialogue 1. Between Lawyer And Client

Lawyer: Good afternoon. How can I help you?             

Client: Good afternoon. I need some help concerning my company.

Lawyer: My working experience in the legal field is over ten years, sir. I'll try to help you.

Client: Well, I found out that one of my competitors is infringing my trademark and I would like to stop the potential damage to my business.            

Lawyer: I see. Is there any evidence?

Client: Of course. It's obvious. They have created the logotype which is almost like ours and they are using some of our trade techniques.               

Lawyer: Sounds like there is someone working at your company who sells information. 

Client: I've never thought about it. Perhaps, you are right. I should investigate the case.        

Lawyer: If that's true, you better fire this person and never accept his or her services again.              

Client: What else can be done in this situation?      

Lawyer: You can try to write a threatening letter to the firm that uses your logo. Also in this case we can file an action in the district court.           

Client: Thanks so much. That would be very helpful.

Vocabulary: legal field - юридическая сфера, competitors – конкуренты, infringe – посягать, trademark – торговый знак, the potential damage – потенциальный ущерб, evidence – доказательство,  trade techniques – методы торговли, investigate the case – расследовать дело, a threatening letter – предупреждающее письмо,  file an action in the district court - подать иск в окружной суд.

PART 3. Self - assignment .

Тестовые задания для самоконтроля по грамматической теме