Essential Legal English in Context : : Understanding the Vocabulary of US Law and Government / / Karen M. Ross.

• VerfasserIn: Ross, Karen M.,
• Place / Publishing House: New York, NY : : New York University Press, , [2021]; ©2019
• Year of Publication: 2021
• Language: English
• Physical Description: 1 online resource :; 90 black and white illustrations

Winner, 2019 Global Legal Skills Book Award, given by the Global Legal Skills ConferenceAn essential handbook for international lawyers and students Focusing on vocabulary, Essential Legal English in Context introduces the US legal system and its terminology. Designed especially for foreign-trained lawyers and students whose first language is not English, the book is a must-read for those who want to expand their US legal vocabulary and basic understanding of US government. Ross uses a unique approach by selecting legal terms that arise solely within the context of the levels and branches of US government, including terminology related to current political issues such as partisanship. Inspired by her students’ questions over her years of teaching, she includes a vast collection of legal vocabulary, concepts, idioms, and phrasal verbs and unpacks concepts embedded in US case law, such as how the US constitutional separation of powers may affect a court’s interpretation of the law. The handbook differentiates basic terms in civil and criminal cases and compares terms that may seem similar because of close spellings but in fact have different meanings. For instance, what is the distinction between “taking the stand” and “taking a stand?” What is the difference between “treaties” and “treatises”? Featuring illustrations and hands-on exercises, Essential Legal English in Context is a valuable self-study resource for those who want to improve their legal English terminology before entering a US law school, studying US law or government, or working as a seconded attorney to a US law firm. Instructors can use the handbook in an introductory US legal English course.

Table of Contents

Frontmatter -- Contents -- Preface -- Acknowledgments -- Unit 1 Overview of the Government in the United States -- Unit 2 The Federal Legislature -- Unit 3 The Federal Executive -- Unit 4 The Federal Judiciary -- Unit 5 Separation of Powers and Checks and Balances: Cases in Context -- Appendix 1. Selected Provisions of the US Bill of Rights -- Appendix 2. Idioms, Phrasal Verbs, and Other Terms -- Answers to Exercises -- Notes -- Illustration Credits -- Index -- About the Author