Ingles Juridico

For the UC de Temuco by Ieva Zebryte

Introduction to Legal English.
Qs reading week 1: 1. What other languages influences Legal English in the course of history? 2. What makes English and Legal English difficult? 3. What makes English difficult for you? Q reading week 2: Which Legal English – US or UK – is more suitable for legal texts of Chilean origin?
Ieva Zebryte C&T. Peer2Peer.Consulting&Training. 2

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Overview
1. Potential areas of improvement:

2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

1.1 Articles 1.2 Prepositions 1.3 Capitalization 1.4 Problem Words and Phrases 1.5 Constantly Litigated Words & Phrases Dates & Time Numbers & Currency Punctuation Gender Neutral Language Singular & Plural
Ieva Zebryte C&T. Peer2Peer. Consulting&Training.

1.1 Articles (a, an, the)
A is used whenmentioning something for the first time
e.g. A client walked into the office.

An is used in the same situation but only where the following word begins with a vowel
e.g. An accountant walked into the office.

The is used when referring to something already mentioned before:
e.g. The client and accountant work at Megacorp Ltd.
or when referring to something that is the only one of its kind e.g.The Supreme Court of Finland… or when referring to something in a general rather than specific way e.g. The computer has changed our firm practice.

Ieva Zebryte C&T. Peer2Peer. Consulting&Training.

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1.1 Articles
Do not use articles when a sentence links two parallel adjectival phrases.
e.g. The judge ruled that Megacorp Ltd. was a validly registered and [an] existing company.

Do notuse articles when using certain abstract nouns in a general sense.
e.g. In the event of [a] conflict between the definitions given in Appendix 1 and the definitions...

Do not precede conflict with a unless referring to a specific conflict as in:
e.g. The opposing parties are involved in a conflict which has lasted 3 years.

Ieva Zebryte C&T. Peer2Peer. Consulting&Training.

1.2Prepositions (to, in, from, etc.)
Prepositions normally come before a noun or pronoun and give information about how, when or where something has happened. No clear rules but common usage provides some guidance: The parties to this agreement … The price list set out in Schedule 1 … The agreement may be terminated by notice. He was charged with fraud. The goods must be delivered to the purchaser … Anagreement between the buyer and seller …

Ieva Zebryte C&T. Peer2Peer. Consulting&Training.

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1.2 Prepositions: common errors
Use of preposition where a verb form is required e.g. [be with flu] (estar con resfrio) should be have the flu Use of an incorrect preposition e.g. [in the beach] (en la playa) should be on/at the beach Use of an incorrect verb form e.g. [close the television] (suljetelevisio) should be turn off the television
Ieva Zebryte C&T. Peer2Peer. Consulting&Training.

1.2 Prepositions: dates
Within/In The goods must be delivered within 7 days. The goods must be delivered in 7 days. within = delivery anytime up to 7th day in = may imply delivery only on 7th day From/As from Where a contract is effective from or as from a particular date, that contract will beeffective the day after. e.g. A contract effective from 17 September 2007 will only take effect on 18 September 2007. By e.g. A notice to file an appeal by 1 June 2007 will give the appellant the right to file until midnight on 1 June 2007. The statement would be incorrect if the drafter wanted the appeal to be filed on 31 May 2007. On if a period of time is expressed to begin on a certain day, thatparticular day is included. e.g. A lease which is to start on 1 August 2006 will begin on that day, i.e. 1 August 2006.

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1.2 Prepositions: dates
Between If time is expressed as between two dates, the dates mentioned will not be included. e.g. If a contract is effective between 1 April 2004 and 1 November 2006 it does not include 1 April or 1 November. Until the use of until should be...