My Future Profession

I am a second-year student of Kyiv National University named after Taras Shevchenko, Law faculty. When I entered the University I had a vague [veig] idea of what I would do in future. Having studied a lot of legal subjects, such as Theory of Law and State, Criminal Law, Civil Law, Financial Law and others I could outline the profession I’m engaged in. Now it is obvious that in community some kind of law is necessary because every day of our lives we are restrained and guided by law. It protects us while it restricts us. Sometimes it punishes us.

Law can also be defined as a standard of conduct, which regulates the relation of the individual to the central government, the relation of the government to the individual, and the relations among the individuals. If there is a conflict in these relations, the law also provides the court system, through which the respective sides can litigate a problem and reach a solution. So, the scope of the law necessarily makes it complex, and complexity has created the need for specialists, namely a lawyer, whose work is quite diversified [dai´ və: sifaid]. He may act as the defence counsel in court, he may represent the interest of the plaintiff or the defendant in civil and criminal cases.

In national economy lawyers are entrusted the control on the legality of orders and instructions issued by governing bodies: they participate in drawing up different agreements and contracts, which are concluded with other enterprises; lawyers also inform on the current legislation and give help in legal matters, conduct cases in courts. In addition, they give advice on various legal problems and are often employed by business firms. In almost all civil-law countries there are notaries, who have exclusive rights to deal with such office work as marriage settlements and wills.

All barristers in our country are incorporated either in the national or regional (territorial) bar. Members of the bar work at legal advisory offices, which function in every town administrative district.

Our department trains specialists for working in court, Office of Public Prosecutor, Notary’s offices, other juridical bodies and also in legal service of national economy.

3. Give the corresponding equivalents to the following words and word combinations.

A. to outline the profession; to have a vague idea; to be engaged in; to define as a standard of conduct; to provide the court system; the respective sides; to reach a solution; namely a lawyer; national economy; to entrust the control on the legality of orders; to represent the interest of the plaintiff or the defendant; to draw up different agreements; to conclude contracts with other enterprises; to inform on the current legislation; civil-law countries; to deal with such office work as marriage settlements and wills; to be incorporated in the national or regional (territorial) bar.

B. другокурсник; бути обмеженим та керуватися законом; регулювати відносини приватної особи до центрального уряду; відносини між приватними особами; масштаб (рамки) права; виступати захисником в суді; представляти інтереси відповідача; народне господарство; приймати участь в складанні договорів; укладати контракти з підприємствами; чинне законодавство; видавати накази; давати поради по різноманітним правовим проблемам; контроль за законністю наказів та інструкцій; адвокати; працювати в юридичній консультації; прокуратура; нотаріальна контора.

4. Match the words with their definitions.

5. A: Fill in the appropriate word from the list below.

Notary; complexity; counsel; respective; plaintiff; advisory; engaged; bar; restrained; concluded (2)

1. The jury …, from the evidence, that the accused man was not guilty. 2. The man lost his temper, and had to be … from violence by neighbours. 3. He drove them both to their … homes. 4. I’m … in writing the course paper. 5. … expresses a condition of numerous elements in a system and numerous forms of relationships among the elements. 6. France … a treaty with our country. 7. The associated members participate in General Assemblies with … vote. 8. If the jury listen to … on both sides, it means they listen to the barristers for the prosecution and the defence. 9. After graduating from law school she was admitted to the …. 10. … public is a public official who notarizes legal documents and who can also administer and take oaths and affirmations, among other tasks. 11. A …is the party who initiates a lawsuit (or an action) before a court.

B: Fill in the appropriate proposition or adverb.

1. They were restrained … two months. 2. She was engaged … public relations. 3. In the United States, admission … the bar is permission given … a particular court system … a lawyer to practice law. 4. The prisoner hoped to gain his own freedom … informing … his companions … the robbery. 5. He asked me for my advice … what he should do. 6. We’ll try to incorporate some of your ideas … our future plans.

6. Answer the questions.

1. What faculty do you study at? 2. What subjects are you studying this semester? (did you study last semester?) 3. What is your favourite subject? 4. What subject do you consider to be the most difficult (the simplest) one? Why? 5. What is the definition of law? 6. When does a person appeal to the court? 7. How can professional skills of a lawyer be applied? 8. What do lawyers do in national economy? 9. Where can graduates from the Faculty of Law work? 10. What kind of law would you like to specialize in? Where do you want to work after the graduation?

7. Read the following information (additional information for foreign applicants.

Study in the United States may or may not be appropriate for you.

· You will need one year to complete the application process.

· Study in the United States is expensive. You will need a minimum of $12.000 per year, and many universities cost more than $20.000 per year.

· For undergraduates, financial aid is rare.

· A command of the English language (Test of English as Foreign Language/TOEFL).

· Law students from other countries rarely study in the USA until they have already become attorneys in their own countries and then only at the postgraduate level.

Would you be interested in the following courses?

8. Translate the text in writing.