Teacher(s)
Language
English
Main themes
Part 1: elementary legal English: a general survey of the vocabulary in different areas of the law, and an introduction to key notions of the common law tradition. Part 2: advanced legal English: an introduction to cases in the common law tradition.
Content
The course provides an introduction to Legal English and the Anglo-American legal systems. The focus will be on the legal language, expressions and terminology, highlighting in particular: - the difficulties and pitfalls of legal translation; - terminology and expressions specific to the common law system and doctrine; - writing of simple texts (e.g.: lawyer-client letter/opinion). Learning Legal English makes little sense if it does not relate to the study of the common law system and justice. Several areas of law will be covered, among other, the law of contract and tort, criminal law, human rights law, provisions relating to discrimination, etc. Furthermore, case law will be studied through the reading and discussion of judgments from higher courts.
Teaching methods
The course aims:
(1) for students to acquire sufficient knowledge of Legal English to understand legal texts written by and for legal professionals in the Anglo-American tradition (legislation, case law , doctrine, contracts, professional correspondence, etc.). This also necessitates basic knowledge of the common law system and Anglo-American justice.
(2) More specifically: (a) the acquisition of basic legal terminology, relating to the areas of law studied; (b) learn to write simple sentences/texts on legal issues (e.g. letters/notices, explanations of a legal concept or legal issue etc.); (c) legal translation, including evaluating the extent to which legal terms in a foreign language can be translated with equivalent effect in French.
(3) Finally, interactive teaching will allow students to acquire basic skills of expressing themselves in English (oral and written) discussing legal issues and topics of legal interest.
(1) for students to acquire sufficient knowledge of Legal English to understand legal texts written by and for legal professionals in the Anglo-American tradition (legislation, case law , doctrine, contracts, professional correspondence, etc.). This also necessitates basic knowledge of the common law system and Anglo-American justice.
(2) More specifically: (a) the acquisition of basic legal terminology, relating to the areas of law studied; (b) learn to write simple sentences/texts on legal issues (e.g. letters/notices, explanations of a legal concept or legal issue etc.); (c) legal translation, including evaluating the extent to which legal terms in a foreign language can be translated with equivalent effect in French.
(3) Finally, interactive teaching will allow students to acquire basic skills of expressing themselves in English (oral and written) discussing legal issues and topics of legal interest.
Evaluation methods
The assessment will be a written exam (it may be oral if only a very small number of students have registered for the exam).
The exam will be assessing the student’s knowledge of English legal vocabulary, as well as the ability to translate short legal texts from English into French (this also implies a good command of legal French). In addition, the ability to use English and legal English will be tested in explanations (in English) of basic Anglo-American legal concepts. In a second part, the student is invited to read an English legal text (usually a judgment) and to answer in English to questions related relation to this text.
The exam will be assessing the student’s knowledge of English legal vocabulary, as well as the ability to translate short legal texts from English into French (this also implies a good command of legal French). In addition, the ability to use English and legal English will be tested in explanations (in English) of basic Anglo-American legal concepts. In a second part, the student is invited to read an English legal text (usually a judgment) and to answer in English to questions related relation to this text.
Other information
This course is not open to Erasmus students from a foreign university
Bibliography
Mandatory books:
B. Dhuicq et D. Frison, L’anglais juridique (Paris: Pocket, 2012).
Oxford Dictionary of Law (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2022 (10th edition).
B. Dhuicq et D. Frison, L’anglais juridique (Paris: Pocket, 2012).
Oxford Dictionary of Law (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2022 (10th edition).
Teaching materials
- B. Dhuicq et D. Frison, L’anglais juridique (Paris: Pocket, 2012)
- Oxford Dictionary of Law (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2022 (10th edition)
Faculty or entity
