C. Listen to the interview again and be ready to discuss the following points

• Taxation

• Relations between solicitors and barristers

• The barrister's image

• Upholding certain traditions

Task 3.

Part I

A. Follow the first part of an interview with an American lawyer. She is talking about the legal system in her country. Please note that the points made reflect her per­sonal views, and may differ from other lawyers' points of view.

Interviewer (I): How do the American legal professions differ from the British ones?

Lawyer (L): Well, to begin with, there are fewer distinctions. Of course, for someone going into a legal profession, there are several careers to choose from: legal secretaries, clerks of courts - the civil servants' of the legal system

I: Ah, You say 'clerk' [kl':k] not 'clerk' [kla:k]

L: Yes, that's right. But I think our clerks [kl':ks] are much the same as your clerks [kla:ks].

I: And if you choose to be a lawyer?

L: Well, you go to law school - it's a 3-year degree following a Master’s degree.

I: So you can't take a Bachelor’s degree in law?

L: You can, but it's more of a general studies course. You don't really do much law.

I: And is there a bar exam?

L: Oh yes. You take that in the State of your choice. This is where federalism comes into play. You see, although some states have reciprocal agreements which allow lawyers from other states to practise there, there are still quite a lot of interstate restrictions. One state, for example, Lousiana, still uses Napoleonic Law and not standard American law as a basis for its Bar exams!

I: So, how do would-be lawyers choose their State?

L: Well, if you want to practise in the private sector, you go for interviews with private law firms - maybe firms dealing with corporate law or criminal law or whatever you wish to specialise in. The firms could be anywhere in the States. So, if a firm is interested in you, they fly you out to the State in question and you take your Bar exams there.

I: And what if you want to work within the state system? What openings are there?

L: Well, to start with, working in the state system is considered to be a very humanitarian thing to do. You get paid a good deal less than in the private sector. You're hired by a city, a state or by the national government to represent people who can't afford an ordinary lawyer. This is called the Legal Aid system.

I: Do people have to have a lawyer to plead for them in court?

L: No, not in the minor courts. Every American has the right to plead his or her own case. Sometimes, law students can get certificates to help people in minor cases, but it's not too common.

I: And I suppose you can be hired on the other side of the fence - to plead for the government or the local administration.

L: Yes. Once you've become a lawyer, you may be appointed to be a general prosecutor. In this case, you are called on to prosecute in all sorts of cases. Then you can be appointed or voted into judgeships.

I: You mean some judges are appointed and others elected? How does this work?

L: Well, it's rather complicated. For example, judges in appellate courts are appointed by the Governor of the State whereas local judges in small towns are often elected.

I: So, there is an election campaign - with posters and so on...

L: That's right.

I: I must say that seems strange to us over here.

L: Well, it's even strange to us sometimes!

B. Answer the fol­lowing questions.

1. What is the first difference between the British and American legal professions as mentioned by the lawyer?

2. Which word do the two speakers not agree on, and how does the lawyer define it?

3. Why is it not very useful for a prospective lawyer to take a bachelor's degree in law in the United States?

4. What is meant by the statement: «This is where federalism comes into play»?

5. What is odd about the State of Louisiana?

6. How do would-be lawyers go about getting a job in the private sector?

7. What is the attitude of people to those working in the state system and why?

8. Who can plead in the minor courts?

9. How does a lawyer become a judge?

10. What surprises the English interviewer?

Part II

A. Before doing listening comprehension task be sure you are familiar with the following words:

malpractice - противозаконное действие; злодеяние, должностное преступление;

obstetrician - акушер, акушерка

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