Unit 2: A career in law.

1. Read the text below and answer these questions.

1. Which courses do law students in the UK have to take?

Criminal law, contract law, tort law, land law, equity and trusts, administrative law
and constitutional law.

2. Which optional courses might a student who wants to work in a big law firm
take?

Company law, commercial law, and litigation and arbitration.

The study of law is intellectually stimulating and challenging, and can lead to a
variety of interesting careers.

In the UK and the USA, law degree programmes usually take three years to
complete. In the UK, these programmes typically include core subjects such as criminal
law, contract law, tort law, land law, equity and trusts, administrative law and
constitutional law. In addition, students are often required to take courses covering
skills such as legal writing and legal research.

There is also a variety of optional (elective) courses available. Since many law
students go on to become lawyers, students often take courses that will be useful to
them during their future careers. Someone wishing to run a small partnership or to
work alone as a sole practitioner in a small town may decide to take subjects such as
family law, employment law and housing law. Those wishing to work in a large law
practice will consider subjects such as company law, commercial law and litigation
and arbitration.

Many universities also offer courses on legal practice. Courses like this give
students the opportunity to experience the work of a lawyer before deciding on a career
in the law. Another way of finding out more about law in practice is to get involved
with a voluntary advice centre or law clinic. These clinics offer free legal assistance to
the local community and provide a useful introduction to some of the day-to-day work
of a lawyer.

For students wishing to work in a commercial practice, knowledge of foreign

languages is essential. When law firms hire new recruits, they generally look at four
things: education, personality, work experience and language ability. Since English is
the language of the international legal community, law firms increasingly expect
graduates to have a good command of English.

2. Read the text again and decide whether these statements are true (T) or false
(F). If the statement is false, correct it.

1. A course in family law is usually included among the core subjects at law
schools in the UK. F. Family law is usually an optional course in the UK.
 2. Some law degree programmes offer courses in some of the important skills that
lawyers need in order to do their work, such as legal writing or legal English. F. Law
clinics give law students the opportunity to learn about the day-to-day work of a
lawyer.

3. Law clinics give law students the opportunity to learn about the legal problems
of the medical profession. T.

4. Today, commercial law firms expect recruits to be completely fluent in English.

F. Today, commercial law firms expect recruits to have a good command of
English.

3. How many collocations with the words legal (e.g. legal writing) and law (e.g. law
firm) can you find in the text?

Legal writing, legal research, legal practice, legal assistance, legal community, law
degree programme, law student, law practice, law clinic, law firm.

6. Quickly read the law course descriptions taken from a university website. Ignore
the gaps for now. Do you think this university is in the UK? Why (not)?

Course descriptions

First-year course descriptions

Introduction to Law: This course aims to familiarize the student with the study of
law; to begin the development of certain basic skills, such as reading, analysis and
synthesis of legal decisions, and interpretation of statutes; to discuss fundamental
aspects of the legal process, e.g. how courts “make law” and the function of the courts
with respect to statutory law.

1) Contract law: This course covers the fundamental principles governing the
formation, interpretation, performance, and enforcement of contracts. In addition,
special attention is given to the requirements of offer and acceptance, consideration,
formal requirements, public policy, and the problems of choosing a remedy in case of a
breach. Some attention will also be given to the Uniform Commercial Code.

2) Tort law: Topics covered include liability for intentional and negligently caused
injuries to person and property; strict liability; vicarious liability; ultra-hazardous
activities; products liability; nuisance; invasion of privacy; defamation; the impact of
insurance and risk distribution upon liability; accident compensation plans; damages;
losses.

3) Criminal law: This course presents the basic concepts of criminal law. Crimes
against persons, property, and public administration are covered, with special emphasis
placed upon the law of homicide.

Second-year course descriptions

 Evidence: This course will explore the rules of evidence and their rationale,
including relevancy, hearsay, impeachment, cross-examination, opinions and experts,
documents, and privileges.

Criminal Procedure: This course will cover regulation of law enforcement

conduct during the investigation of crimes, with special emphasis on constitutional and
statutory limitations. Topics include search and seizure, confessions and incriminating
statements, electronic surveillance, entrapment, identification procedures, and remedies
for improper police conduct.

4) Constitutional law: This course covers the general principles of federal

constitutional law, including government authority and its distribution under the
constitution; the judicial function in constitutional cases; powers delegated to the
national government and the reserved powers of the states in areas of federal authority;
intergovernmental relations; rights, privileges, and immunities under the constitution;
national citizenship; the contract clause; the federal constitution and the amendments
thereto.

5) Legal research and writing: This course is designed to acquaint students with
the nature of legal research. Students will analyze judicial opinions; apply legal
concepts and rules; and learn correct legal citation and use of correct precedent. Special
attention is given to the mechanics of legal research, the techniques of writing
memoranda, and briefs.

7. Choose the correct title for each course in the catalogue excerpt on page 10.

1. Criminal law / Crime law.

2. Law of the constitution / Constitutional law.

3. Contract law / Contracting law.

4. Legal research and writing / Legal investigation and writing.

5. Liability law / Tort law.

8. Read the excerpt again and answer these questions.

1. Which course covers basic skills that students will need during their studies?

Contract law, tort law, and criminal law.

2. Which course deals with research and writing skills needed in professional life?

Legal research and writing.

3. Which course teaches students how to cross-examine a witness?

Constitutional law, and legal research and writing.

11. Listen to the discussion and tick (✓) what each speaker says he/she did on
his/her legal English course.

Heidi: So, how are things going? Are you having any trouble with the lectures?

Pavel: Well, I did at the beginning. I had to get used to the accents. It was very
frustrating – people here speak very quickly, which makes it harder to understand! But
now it’s much easier – I can understand almost everything.

Heidi: I wish I could say the same. Sometimes I only understand half of what the
lecturers says. I have trouble writing, too. That’s more difficult for me than
understanding what people say. But I can normally find someone to look at my work
and make corrections.

Pavel: Yes, I think writing’s the hardest thing to do in English. But we did do a lot
of writing exercises in my legal English course at university. That definitely helped.

Heidi: Writing exercises? We didn’t have any writing practice in the English
course we took. We learned a lot of terminology, a lot about the common-law system,
how things work in America in the UK.

Pavel: Really? Our course was more practical – we worked on the language skills
that lawyers need: writing, reading, even doing legal research in English. And we had to
write lots of different things, texts that lawyers really have to write, like letters to
clients, memos, that kind of thing.

Heidi: We had to give presentations about different institutions. I gave one about
the US Supreme Court. We didn’t really work on speaking or research skills, though; it
was more important to present the terminology. I described how the US Supreme Court
is set up and how it works.

Pavel: We gave presentations, too, but our presentations were on more practical
topics. We did need to learn some terminology for those. We had to present case briefs,
or talk about our own legal systems.

Heidi: We didn’t talk about the laws of our country at all – only about the USA or
the UK.

Pavel: We compared the laws of different countries quite a bit. We read a lot about
other legal systems, other countries’ laws. But we mainly practised speaking about our
own legal system, and talked about how things work in our country. That was definitely
the most useful thing we did.

Heidi: It sounds like your course was better than mine.

Pavel: I don’t know if it was better, but it was certainly more language-based and
more skills-based.

Heidi: Well, it certainly looks like you’re better prepared than I am!
 Heidi’s course Pavel’s course
(Speaker 1) (Speaker 2)
1. worked on writing skills for lawyers ✓
2. practised legal research skills ✓
3. learned about other legal systems ✓ ✓
4. studied terminology ✓ ✓
5. gave presentations ✓ ✓
6. practised speaking about own legal system ✓

13. Look at these sentences from the dialogue (1–9) and match them with the rules
regarding the use of comparative and superlative forms (a–h). Some examples may
match with more than one rule.

1. People here speak very quickly, which makes it harder to understand. Adjectives
with one syllable form their comparative by adding –er.

2. But now it’s much easier – I can understand almost everything. Short adjectives
ending in –y form their comparative by removing –y and adding –ier.

3. That’s more difficult for me than understanding what people say. Multi-syllable
adjectives form their comparative with more. Than is used to introduce the second
element in a comparative structure.

4. Yes, I think writing’s the hardest thing to do in English. Adjectives with one
syllable form their superlative by adding –est.

5. Our course was more practical – we worked on the language skills that lawyers
need. Multi-syllable adjectives form their comparative with more.

6. We didn’t really work on speaking skills, though; it was more important to

present the terminology. Multi-syllable adjectives form their comparative with
more.

7. That was definitely the most useful thing we did. Multi-syllable adjectives form
their superlative with most.

8. It sounds like your course was better than mine. Some very frequent adjectives
have irregular comparative forms. Than is used to introduce the second element in
a comparative structure.

9. I don’t know if it was better, but it was certainly more language-based and more
skills-based. Compound adjectives form their comparative with more.
14. Complete this excerpt from an introductory talk given in the first session of a
legal English course. Use the correct comparative or superlative form of the
adjectives given.

You might be expecting to learn a lot of detail about Anglo-American legal systems and
their foundations, but our focus this semester will be 1) more practical (practical) than
theoretical. We will mainly be working on language skills, such as writing letters or
speaking with clients. I am convinced this is the 2) best (good) way to prepare for using
English for law. You may find this course 3) more challenging (challenging) and 4)
more time-consuming (time-consuming) than you expected, but you may also find it
one of the 5) most useful (useful) courses you take at university, as many students have
told me in the past. To make it 6) easier (easy) for you to plan your time, I’ll be handing
out a list of the readings and the assignments you’ll be working on this term.

16. Read the advertisement for the Barker Rose Graduate Recruitment
Programme and answer these questions.

1. Do you need to have a law degree to qualify for the programme?

You do not need a law degree to enter the graduate recruitment programme, just a
2.1 degree in any subject.

2. How will Barker Rose help graduate students qualify to become solicitors?

Barker Rose will pay the full course fees for both the Graduate Diploma in Law and
the Legal Practice Course plus maintenance of £6,000 during the Graduate Diploma in
Law and £7,000 through the Legal Practice Course study year.

The Barker Rose Graduate Recruitment Programme

For the ambitious graduate wishing to train as a commercial lawyer, we offer

trainees first-rate work in an informative, challenging and busy atmosphere, where your
contribution counts from day one.

We require approximately 15 exceptional trainee solicitors each year to contribute

to our future growth, in both our London and Manchester offices.

Training programme

We handle only commercial matters, offering training in company, commercial and

finance, commercial litigation, employment, media, energy, trade and commodities,
shipping and property law, and in the business skills essential to success as a solicitor.

Minimum qualifications

Strong academic qualifications, including a 2.1 degree (any discipline). We take a

flexible approach and are willing to progress candidates whose application otherwise
demonstrates first-rate personal qualities and experience.
 When and how to apply

Apply by 31st July two years before the start of the training contract. To apply
online, please click on this link: [Link]

Sponsorship

We will pay your full course fees for both the Graduate Diploma in Law and the
Legal Practice Course, plus maintenance of £6,000 during your Graduate Diploma in
Law and £7,000 through your Legal Practice Course study year.

Further information

If you would like further information, please contact Graham Matthews, our
Graduate Recruitment and Trainee Manager, on 0650 581 8967 or by email at
[Link]@[Link].

Barker Rose will be presenting its Graduate Recruitment Programme at the

University of London Law Fair on 15 May at 2.30 p.m. in the John Adams lecture
theatre.

17. Read these four descriptions of students and decide if they would be suitable
for the Barker Rose Graduate Recruitment Programme. Give reasons for your
answers.

1. Andrea

Andrea is most interested in criminal law and has helped advise defendants of their
rights at her university law clinic. She is very studious and is aiming for a first-class law
degree. Andrea wouldn’t be suitable for Barker Rose, as they only work in the field
of commercial law.

2. Sandip

Sandip founded his own e-commerce business following a disappointing 2.2 law
degree. He is now in great demand as a gifted dotcom consultant, but would like to
pursue a career in commercial law. Although Sandip only got a 2.2, the
advertisement says that Barker Rose are willing to progress candidates whose
application otherwise demonstrates first-rate personal qualities and experience. He
might be considered suitable due to his proven business skills and experience, but
we cannot be certain.

3. Meral

Meral is interested in company law and is very ambitious. Her aim is to become a
partner in a law firm by the age of 30. She would like to begin her training contract next
year in order to get ahead as soon as possible. Meral wouldn’t be suitable, as
candidates must apply 31st July, two years before the start of the training contract,
and she wants to start next year.
 4. Oren

Oren is a business-studies student and would like to pursue a career advising

companies on mergers and acquisitions. He had originally wanted to start his own
business, but decided on a career in law during his second year. Oren would be
suitable. Barker Rose accepts students of any discipline.

20. Barker Rose are presenting their Graduate Recruitment Programme at the
University of London Law Fair. Listen to the first part of the presentation and
decide whether these statements are true (T), false (F) or not clear (NC).

Hello, everyone, and thanks for coming along. It’s great that so many of you were
able to make it this morning. I know that as you approach your mid-term exams, time is
precious. With that in mind, I’ll keep my talk brief.

Ok, let me just star by introducing myself. My name’s Jenny Waters, and I
graduated eight years ago from this very university. I’ve been asked along to talk about
the Barker Rose Graduate Recruitment Programme, a programme I’m sure will be of
particular interest to you as second-year students. It’s right now that you need to begin
planning for life after university, no matter how far ahead this may seem at the moment.

I remember when I was sitting in this very lecture theatre listening to a talk similar
to the one I’m about to give. I applied for a place on the Barker Rose Graduate
Recruitment Programme shortly afterwards, and was made a partner last summer. Most
of my lawyer friends who went to other firms have yet to become partners. Barker Rose
may be more demanding than your average practice, but I know from my own
experience that the rewards are worth it.

There are three main points I’d like to cover today. First, I’ll start by giving you a
little information about Barker Rose. I’ll then go on to outline what we have to offer to
new associates. Finally, I’ll also talk a little about what we expect from our potential
graduate recruits.

There’ll be a few minutes available for questions at the end of my talk, but do feel
free to interrupt me at any time. Don’t worry about taking notes; I’ll be handing out
copies of the PowerPoint slides at the end of the presentation.

So, to start with, who are Barker Rose? We’re an independent commercial practice
that has grown from seven lawyers in 1979 to well over 60 today. This growth has
resulted from our commitment to providing the highest-quality legal services to our
clients. To accomplish this goal, we are committed to recruiting, and retaining,
associates capable of helping us meet that commitment.

A new associate lawyer is generally assigned to a practice area compatible with his
or her interests, while considering the needs of the firm. However, we remain flexible
enough to allow all of our lawyers to explore various areas of practice.

1. The students at the presentation have recently taken their mid-term exams. F.
They are approaching their mid-term exams.
 2. The speaker is a law graduate. NC. We are told that she is a graduate.

3. Most of the speaker’s lawyer friends are partners in law firms. F. They have yet
to become partners.

4. The speaker will take questions during and at the end of the talk. T.

5. There were over 60 lawyers working for Barker Rose in 1979. F. There were
seven lawyers in 1979.

6. New associates can work in an area of law that interests them. T.

21. Listen to the second part of the presentation and answer these questions.

This brings me to my next point: what benefits can successful applicants to our
Graduate Recruitment Programme expect? First, Barker Rose will pay your full course
fees for both the Graduate Diploma in Law and the Legal Practice Course. We will also
pay maintenance of £6,000 during your GDL and £7,000 through your LPC study year.

This leads directly to what I’m sure is an important question for all of you: what
can you expect to earn? We offer competitive starting salaries for new associates.
Following successful completion of the LPC, graduate associates begin work on a
generous starting salary of £29,000, rising to £36,000 in their second year with us.

Associates also typically receive a year-end bonus, based upon the firm’s
profitability, hours billed and seniority. Year-end bonuses, if any, are subject to the
discretion of the management. In addition to the salary and bonus, we provide a
standard medical-benefits package, life insurance and an extremely competitive
retirement plan. The firm’s ‘HR-10’ plan for employees currently pays an amount equal
to 10% f gross salary into a retirement fund after an employee has been with the firm
two years. Voluntary dental insurance coverage is also available through our dental
programme. It’s also important to mention that Barker Rose is an equal-opportunities
employer.

Now let’s move on to what we expect in return. As I mentioned towards the start of
my talk, we are committed to providing the highest-quality legal services to our clients.
We can only ensure this by hiring lawyers prepared to show us that same level of
commitment. This can mean long hours; associates are expected to bill 1,800 to 2,000
hours per year. You may not have all of your weekends free, and the work is certainly
demanding. However, for the graduate student ready to rise to that challenge, the
rewards are great indeed. Think to yourself – where do I want to be by the age of 30?
Some of you will, I hope, be partners with Barker Rose.

To summarise, Barker Rose is a growing, successful, independent commercial

practice. Our Graduate Recruitment Programme includes an excellent set of benefits for
students prepared to commit themselves fully. We offer you the opportunity to work in
those areas of law that interest you most, while allowing you the chance to explore
various areas of practice.
 Finally, I’d like to remind you about what I said at the beginning of my talk today.
For those associates who have demonstrated the highest level of commitment to Barker
Rose, you may be considered for partnership after seven years. And believe me, those
seven years will pass more quickly than you think.

Ok, that’s everything I wanted to say about our Graduate Recruitment Programme.
I’d very happy to answer any question you may have.

1. How much do graduate trainees earn during their second year at Barker Rose?
£36,000.

2. How are year-end bonuses awarded? Associates receive a year-end bonus

depending on the firm’s overall profitability, how many hours they have worked
during the year and how long they have worked for the firm.

3. What other benefits are paid for by the firm? A standard medical benefits
package, life insurance, a retirement plan and voluntary dental insurance.

4. How many hours are associates expected to bill per year? 1,800 to 2,000.

5. After how many years are some associates considered for partnership? Seven.

22. Some words can have several meanings. Choose the best explanation (a or b)
for each of these words or phrases as they are used in the presentation.

1. a partner – one of the owners of a partnership (e.g. a law firm).

2. an associate – a person whose position at work is slightly lower or less

complete than the full official position described (e.g. an associate director).

3. a bonus – an extra amount of money given as a reward in addition to the

money you were expecting.

4. benefits – things such as medical insurance that employees receive in

addition to money.

5. to practice – to work in an important skilled job for which a lot of training is

necessary.

24. Listen again to the whole presentation and complete this table of useful
phrases.

Language function Phrase

1. Hello, everyone, and thanks for coming along.
Welcoming the audience
2. It’s great that so many of you were able to make it this
morning.
Introducing yourself 3. OK, let me just start by introducing myself.
Introducing the topic 4. I’ve been asked along to talk about the …
Telling the audience why 5. … (a programme) I’m sure will be of particular interest to
they should be interested you as …
in the topic
6. It’s right now that you need to …
7. I remember when I …
Telling a short personal
anecdote
8. I know from my own experience that …
9. There are three main points I’d like to cover today.

Giving an overview of 10. First, I’ll start by giving you a little information about
the talk Barker Rose. I’ll then go on to outline what we have to offer
to new associates. Finally, I’ll also what we expect from our
potential graduate recruits.
11. So, to start with, who are Barker Rose?

12. This brings me to my next point: what …

Introducing the next
point
13. This leads directly to what …

14. Let’s now move on to what we …

15. To summarise, Barker Rose …
Concluding the 16. Finally, I’d like to remind you about what I said at the
presentation beginning of my talk today.

Language Focus

1. Vocabulary: types of law firm. Match the halves of these sentences about the
different types of law firm mentioned in Reading 1.

1. A commercial practice advises clients on corporate and commercial matters

and may also negotiate transactions and solve business problems.

2. A large law firm can have 50 or more lawyers working on complex matters
for large organisations.

3. A law clinic gives students an opportunity to deal with real clients and to develop
their legal skills.

4. A partnership is managed by partners who share profits and responsibility

equally.

5. A sole practitioner works on his or her own, has no partners and usually
handles smaller cases.

2. Vocabulary: law vs. legal. Complete these sentences by inserting either law or
legal.

1. Instruction in legal English is becoming compulsory in a growing number of law

faculties all over the world.
 2. After university, my work as a trainee solicitor gave me useful experience in
commercial litigation, and I was offered a good position in a large law firm.

3. During my studies, I volunteered at a local law clinic, where I provided free legal
assistance to people who could not afford to pay for a lawyer.

4. Some of the most important courses a student completes during his or her studies
of the law are skills courses, such as courses in legal writing and legal research.

3. Prepositions. Complete these phrases from the lawyer’s talk in Listening 2 with
the prepositions in the box.

1. First, I’ll start by giving you a little information about Barker Rose.

2. Our Graduate Recruitment Programme includes an excellent set of benefits for

students prepared to commit themselves fully.

3. I’ll then go on to outline what we have to offer to new associates.

4. OK, let me just start by introducing myself.

5. Finally, I’ll also talk a little about what we expect from our potential graduate
recruits.

6. Hello, everyone, and thanks for coming along.

7. Finally, I’d like to remind you about what I said at the beginning of my talk
today.

8. So, to start with, who are Barker Rose?

9. This brings me to my next point: what benefits can successful applicants to our
Graduate Recruitment Programme expect?

4. Ordering. Number the statements in Exercise 3 in the order in which they most
likely occurred. You may want to listen to the talk again to check if your answers
are correct.

1. Hello, everyone, and thanks for coming along.

2. OK, let me just start by introducing myself.

3. First, I’ll start by giving you a little information about Barker Rose.

4. I’ll then go on to outline what we have to offer to new associates.

5. Finally, I’ll also talk a little about what we expect from our potential graduate
recruits.
 6. So, to start with, who are Barker Rose?

7. This brings me to my next point: what benefits can successful applicants to our
Graduate Recruitment Programme expect?

8. Our Graduate Recruitment Programme includes an excellent set of benefits for

students prepared to commit themselves fully.

9. Finally, I’d like to remind you about what I said at the beginning of my talk
today.