Ролевая игра. Legal Expert

Вас приглашают принять участие в телевизионной программе Legal Expert. Организация игры:

1. Выберите двух студентов, которые будут исполнять роль экс-пертов в области российского права и права Великобритании. Их за-дача — отвечать на вопросы аудитории.

2. Выберите ведущего программы. Задача ведущего — объявить тему и представить гостей программы (экспертов), руководить ходом обсуждения, приглашая гостей задавать интересующие их вопросы.

3. Остальные студенты исполняют роль гостей программы. Их за-дача — задавать экспертам вопросы, касающиеся системы права Рос-сии и Великобритании. Каждый из гостей должен приготовить по 2—3 вопроса эксперту.

4. После того как эксперты ответят на несколько вопросов, на роль экспертов и ведущего приглашаются другие студенты, и игра продолжается.

Some important tips to the experts:Don’t forget to thank the guest forthe question. If you don’t know how to answer the question you may pass it to your colleague. If you see that your colleague needs help, don’t hesitate to interfere. If you have already answered this question or mentioned it in your previous answer politely explain it to the guest. If you don’t understand the question ask for clarification. You may need the following phrases:

1. This is a very interesting question. I’m happy you’ve asked it.

2. This is a very complicated question. I’m afraid I’m not an expert in this field.

3. This is a very good question. Let me pass it to my colleague who is an expert in this sphere.

4. May I come in here and explain/clarify some points?

5. If I could interrupt you for a moment … I’d like to add that …

6. I think I have already mentioned this point in my previous answer.

7. If I understand you correctly you mean …?

Some important tips to the guests:Try to be polite. Always thank theexpert for his/her answer. If you don’t understand the answer ask for clarification. You may need the following phrases:

1. May I address a question to N?

2. Could you please explain the difference between … ?

3. I wonder if you could explain to me …

4. There is one question I’d like to ask …

5. I’m afraid I didn’t get the last point. Could you go over it once again, please?

6. I’m afraid it’s not clear enough. Could you explain it once again?

UNIT 7. BRANCHES OF LAW IN THE UK

TEXT 1

Labour Law

Vocabulary

7. legal rights — законные права

8. trade union — профсоюз

9. branches of law — отрасли права

10. conditions of work — условия труда

11. social security — социальная защита, обеспечение

12. disability insurance — страховка на случай нетрудоспособности

13. welfare — благосостояние

14. provisions — положения, условия

15. to negotiate an agreement — договариваться об условиях

16. favourable — благоприятный

17. restrictions — ограничение

18. grievance — жалоба, трудовой конфликт

19. dismissal — увольнение, отставка

Прочитайте и переведите текст, ответьте на вопросы.

1. How can you define the term “labour law”?

2. What does labour law deal with?

3. What does labour law govern?

4. Why is this branch of law so important?

5. What are the main elements of labour law?

6. How do you understand the expression “custom and practice agreement”?

7. What is the main function of trade unions?

8. What does the written statement from the employer describe?

Labour Law is the body of laws, administrative rulings, and precedents which address the legal rights of, and restrictions on, working people and their organizations. As such it mediates many aspects of the relationship between trade unions and employers. Out of all different branches of law, this one deals with the terms and conditions of work, and disputes regarding employment of labour. This is a set of rulings and regulations that govern the relationship and terms between employers and employees.

In its most comprehensive sense the term includes social security and disability insurance as well. In addition to the individual contractual relationships growing out of the traditional employment situation, labour law deals with the statutory requirements and collective relationships that are increasingly important in mass-production societies, the legal relationships between organized economic interests and the state, and the various rights and obligations related to some types of social services.

The basic subject matter of labour law can be considered under nine broad heads: employment; individual employment relationships; wages and remuneration; conditions of work; health, safety, and welfare; social security; trade unions and industrial relations; the administration of labour law; and special provisions for particular occupational or other groups. There are special rules about the employment of children and young people.

Your rights at work will depend on:

your statutory rights and

your contract of employment.

Statutory rights are legal rights based on laws passed by Parliament. Nearly all workers, regardless of the number of hours per week they

work, have certain legal rights.

The contract of employment is the agreement made between the employer and the employee. This could be in the form of a written agreement or what has been agreed verbally between them. In addition, the contract of employment will also include “custom and practice” agreements. These are how things are usually done in the workplace, for example, if the employer always gives the employees a day’s holiday in August. Even though this is not mentioned in the written contract this will form part of the contract of employment as it is usual practice. If the written contract says one thing, but in practice all the employees have been doing something else with the employer’s knowledge and agreement, the “custom and practice” would form the contract rather than the written statement.

A trade union may have negotiated an agreement with an employer about conditions at work. The negotiated agreement will often form part of a contract of employment, particularly if the conditions are more favourable than the previous ones. One of the main functions of trade unions is to protect the rights of workers.

All workers, regardless of the number of hours they work per week, are entitled to receive a written statement from their employer, within two

months of starting work. The statement describes the main terms of the contract of employment. The statement must give details about: job title, wages and hours of work, sick pay, pension schemes, holiday entitlement, grievance, dismissal and disciplinary procedure and so on.