martedì 29 novembre 2011

Linea guida per l'esame aa2011-2012

Exam guidelines

- Reading Comprehension (letture introduttive dal libro di testo - unit 1 - unit 10)
- collocations
- word formation
- text cohesion (the way the text holds together)
- appropriate legal vocabulary
- prepositions
- grammar (focus on: passive, modal verbs, present perfect (simple &continuous), simple past)


Dal text book
Esercizi di consolidamento Unit 1 - Unit 10  da stampare e completare a casa -  verifica  prevista per mercoledi 14 dicembre ore 8:45

Sample exam Paper  da stampare e portare con sè - per la simulazione esame - mercoledi 14 dicembre ore 8:45

Gli studenti che intendono partecipare agli ultimi incontri per verificare e consolidare le competenze acquisite durante il corso sono pregati di non trascurare questo blog o il sito www.iuraionica.net dove potrebbero  esserci comunicazione circa eventuali cambi di orario o di giornate.
Grazie!

Commenti al corso e critica costruttiva sono ben graditi

Words in the news








Lawyer David Mills going to court, 28 Nov 11 (TV grab) Mr Mills made no comment to journalists as he headed for court

British lawyer David Mills has said he would be prepared to testify in Italy against former PM Silvio Berlusconi under certain circumstances.

He was giving evidence at Westminster Magistrates court via video link in a corruption trial being heard in Milan.

Mr Berlusconi is involved in four trials. One relates to allegations of corruption involving his former tax lawyer, David Mills.

Mr Mills was convicted of perjury in 2009 but the verdict was later quashed.

He avoided serving a jail term because the case against him expired under Italy's statute of limitations.

The case against the former prime minister had earlier been suspended under a temporary immunity law. Mr Berlusconi is alleged to have paid Mr Mills $600,000 (£385,000) to lie under oath in two corruption trials in the 1990s.

In court in London on Monday, Mr Mills said he "would be willing to go to Italy but I am not sure what evidence I would be expected to give. I would ask my counsel to clarify what those circumstances might be."

Silvio Berlusconi leaves the Milan court - 28 Nov 2011 Mr Berlusconi said he had difficulty staying awake during the trial

Acting for Mr Mills, James Lewis QC asked for the hearing to be adjourned until the public prosecutor in Milan explained what testimony he would be asked to provide.

"In our respectful submission this shouldn't be an inquisition," he said.
'No judicial outcome'
Mr Berlusconi attended proceedings in Milan. He resigned as prime minister earlier this month as Italy's borrowing costs soared.

Speaking to reporters afterwards, he complained that he had struggled to stay awake during the session and shrugged off the importance of the trial.

"This is a trial that will have no judicial outcome since it will expire in February," he said. "All the people who were in the hall, some paid by Italian taxpayers, some by me, are wasting their time."

Mr Berlusconi denies wrongdoing and alleges the Milan prosecutors are pursuing a political vendetta against him.

Mr Mills is the estranged husband of former UK cabinet minister Tessa Jowell.

Mr Berlusconi faces two other corruption trials and is also accused in another case of paying an underage prostitute and of abuse of power.

In all cases he says he is innocent.

In January, Italy's Constitutional Court swept away part of a law passed in 2010 which granted 18 months of immunity to the prime minister and some of his senior ministers.

domenica 27 novembre 2011

Lesson 28th November

Revision reading 1+ ex
Reading 2 pp107-108 ex 4-6

Reading 3 Asset protection pp 112-113 ex 25-28

Supporting material
Text analysis: Discourse markers for text cohesion pag 112 ex 28
HomeworkLanguage Focus 114 1-4

martedì 22 novembre 2011

Lesson 23rd November

Text analysis audio transcript 9.1 pag 136
Collocations - phrasal verbs - idiomatic expressions
  • to have a considerable impact on (sth/so)
  • to have a considerable impact in (place)
  • to be seen in the context of
  • a growing concern
  • to rely on
  • to accuse someone over/of sth
  • to go up to
  • to call in
  • to have right to ..
  • the right of someone to ....
  • to take actions against ..
  • social dumping
  • wage dumping
  • collective bargaining
  • fair working conditions
  • regardless of ...
Supporting material to the Laval case

Revision
Reading 3 -4 US patents laws

From the news
Patent infringement: Mobile phone makers wage war to protect their patents
Copyright law: Neelie Kroes Vice-President of the European Commission responsible for the Digital Agenda Who feeds the artist ? Forum d'Avignon 19 November 2011, Avignon, France            
Language focus: pag 105 ex 1-3

Homework
Unit 10 - Reading 1 Comparative Law pp 106-107 ex 1-3

List of legal systems

• Civil Law

• Common Law

• Religious Law (Muslim Law, Hindu Law, Jewish Law)

• Chinese Law

• Socialist Law

N.B. Contributo al blog: rivedere tutte le lezioni e intervenire dove non compaiono commenti in merito alla consegna dell’attività, inclusi gli articoli suggeriti.


    domenica 20 novembre 2011

    Lesson 21st November

    Revision: Reading 1 International Law pp 94-95
    Focus on: prepositions
    Reading 2: Developments in the EU Law pp96-97 ex 7-8
    Key terms 2 Legal instruments

    Directive = Atto giuridico comunitario Che Vincola i Destinatari ad un risultato da raggiungere entro un dato Termine, lasciando alla Loro discrezione la scelta dei mezzi per farlo. Destinatari di una direttiva possono Essere singoli Stati Membri, tutti o Alcuni. La direttiva entra in Vigore in seguito alla notifica della stessa e al destinatario Viene pubblicata sulla GUCE serie L, MA PER PRODURRE effetti sull'ordinamento interno di uno Stato DEVE Essere recepita Nella Legislazione nazionale.


    Recommendations = è un atto non vincolante A disposizione di varie Istituzioni. Le raccomandazioni sono normalmente dirette agli Stati Membri e contengono l'invito a conformarsi ad un certo comportamento

    Regulations = I regolamenti sono gli strumenti più completi ed efficaci a disposizione delle istituzioni. Sono direttamente applicabili in ogni Stato membro, nel senso che esplicano tutti i loro effetti negli Stati membri, nei confronti delle loro istituzioni e rispetto ai privati, senza che sia necessario alcun atto di attuazione o recepimento; sono di portata generale, cioè applicabili a categorie di destinatari astrattamente determinate; sono obbligatori in tutti i loro elementi, nel senso che gli Stati membri hanno l’obbligo della loro integrale applicazione. Vengono pubblicati sulla Gazzetta Ufficiale delle Comunità Europee, ed in linea di principio entrano in vigore decorsi 20 giorni dalla loro pubblicazione.

    Decisions = Le decisioni sono atti normativi previsti dal Trattato istitutivo della Comunità Europea e sono obbligatorie in tutti i loro elementi per i destinatari da essi designati. Le decisioni possono essere indirizzate sia agli individui che agli Stati membri.

    Homework
    Reading 3 Us Patent Laws pp 100-101 ex 16-19
    Reading 4 Microsoft v. AT&T
    How to read a decision
    USC s.271(f)(1) = United States Code, Section 271, Paragraph F, part 1
    Certiorari = is the name for a writ (mandato) allowing a case to be heard by a higher court
    From Betanews: Microsoft Wins in Supreme Court; AT&T Ruling Overturned

    From the news: Apple vs Samsung vs Google vs Microsoft … are patent wars about mutually assured destruction?

    Listening 1 pp 98-99 ex 12-14

    Listening 2 pp 102-103 ex 25-28



    Contrubuto al blog

    Individuare dai testi (audio transcript) parole ed espressioni chiavi.


    - landmark case = una decisione giuridica che assume un rilievo importante tanto da diventare 'pietra miliare' nella casistica giudiziaria

    - to have a considerable impact on =

    martedì 15 novembre 2011

    Lesson_ 16th November

    Revision reading 3-5 pp 88-90

    Collocations from the letter pag 90
    adverb-adjective
    • strictly private and confidential
    • fully entitled
    • shortly forthcoming
    adverb-verb
    • strenuously denies
    • recently informed
    adjective-noun
    • confidential information
    • previous criticism
    • a positive asset
    • a substantial increase
    • constructive dismissal (licenziamento senza giusta causa)
    • excellent prospects
    • exemplary damages
    • alternative means
    • satisfactory proposals
    Listening 2 Lawyer-client interview pp 91-92 ex 29-32
    Students act out the interview

    Language Focus page 93 ex 1-5

    Homework

    Unit 9 - Reading 1: International Law pp 94-96 ex 2-5

    Prepositions:
    1. Parties to a treaty
    2. ....the treaty is in force
    3. ....a signatory to a convention
    4. Under the Convention on the Rights of the Child
    5. ...are entitled to special protection
    6. International laws apply to the citizens
    7. ...regulations are binding on Partner States

    Intergovernmental organizations

    No significant differences:




    United Nations












    Homework

    Listening 1 pp 98-99 ex 12-14

    Listening 2 pp 102-103 ex 25-28


    Contrubuto al blog

    Individuare dai testi (audio transcript) parole ed espressioni chiavi.

    - landmark case = una decisione giuridica che assume un rilievo importante tanto da diventare 'pietra miliare' nella casistica giudiziaria

    - to have a considerable impact on =

    DATE ESAMI 2011-2012

    APPELLI I SESSIONE AA 2011-2012 Lingua inglese

     
    19 dicembre ore 9:30

    13 gennaio ore ore 9:30

    03 febbraio ore 9:30

    12 marzo ore 9:30

    N.B. Gli studenti che devono verbalizzare l'esame sostenuto a settembre o presentano certificazioni equipollenti potranno farlo nello stosso giorno previsto per l'appello, dalle ore 10:00 alle ore 12:00, salvo variazioni orario dell'esame stesso.

    domenica 13 novembre 2011

    Lesson_ 14th November

    - Check students' homework
     - Contratto di affitto

    - Grammar point: Conditional forms & future forms

    a) If Berlusconi had not resigned (stepped down), ...........
    b) If the Italian lower House had not approved the austerity law,
    c) If Mario Monti accepts the nomination of Prime Minister,
    d) If Berlusconi returned to power,
    Monti's promises:
    -  He will do his best to serve Italy during the economic crisis
    -  He will work with urgency, but also with scruples
    -  We (the technocrat government) will aim at solving the financial situation, resume the path of growth.
    - We will  build a future of dignity and hope for our children.
    - We will respect the country's parliament and hold urgent consultations with its political forces.

    Unit 8 _Reading 1: Litigation and arbitrationpp 83-85 ex 1-6

    Focus on language: How do you say that … in Italian?
    • Disputing parties
    • Litigation
    • Settlement
    • Hearing
    • Pleading
    • Out –of-court settlement
    • Binding decision
    • Legal fees
    • To settle a dispute
    • To reach a settlement
    • To enforce/deliver judgment
    • To save money on
    • To threaten to sue
    • To face court proceedings/litigation costs
    • To deny accusations
    • To pursue a claim
    • In connection with
    Examples of disputes:Dispute over people's behaviour may involve conflict between neighbours over anti-social behaviour (loud parties or verbal abuse)
    Business disputes can involve different interpretation of the terms of a contract, or questions over whether a contract has been breached, and what remedies/damages are appropriate.
    Planning disputes include situations where, for example, a property owner plans to construct a new building, or improve an existing building. (ie planning permissions)
    Environmental disputes include disputes over resources and questions over who has the right to exploit those resources, and at what cost to the environment.

      ADR: Alternative Dispute Resolution:
      • negotiation: participation is voluntary and there is no third party who facilitates the resolution process or imposes a resolution
      • arbitration:participation is typically voluntary, and there is a third party who, as a private judge, imposes a resolution. Arbitrations often occur because parties to contracts agree that any future dispute concerning the agreement will be resolved by arbitration.
      • mediation:there is a third party, a mediator, who facilitates the resolution process (and may even suggest a resolution, typically known as a "mediator's proposal"), but does not impose a resolution on the parties

        Reading 2
        letter of invitationpp 85-86 ex 7 - ref to ELSA (European Law Students' Association
        Future forms: present continuous vs will vs going to
      Homework
      Listening 1 Question and answer session
      pag 87 ex 10-12
      peanut kernel case
      Reading 3 Avoiding litigation page 88 ex 14-16
      Reading 4 Cost of litigation page 89 ex 18-21
      Reading 5 Letter before action page 90 ex 24-25

      From the news

      Mai come in questi ultimi giorni, molti di noi sono stati incollati ai diversi media per seguire l'evolversi degli eventi critici che hanno riguardato il nostro paese. Perchè non seguire le stesse news anche in lingua inglese..?? La CNN e la BBC sono solo due delle molteplici opzioni disponibili.

      Cosa possiamo imparare dalla lettura di un articolo che tratta un argomento a noi familiare?

      Scegli anche tu il tuo articolo e condividi con noi le parole chiavi del testo analizzato.

      BBC Italy crisis: President holds talks to find new leader

      The Guardian Silvio Berlusconi hints at comeback as Italy tries to form new government

      CNN Italy seeks leader to replace Berlusconi

      giovedì 10 novembre 2011

      common law vs equity law


      This video is presented by TransLegal - the world leader in Legal English

      martedì 8 novembre 2011

      Lesson_ 9th November

      Real property law
      pp. 72-73 ex 1-3
      Instruments and people in real property law


      • lease
      • licence
      • deed
      • tenant
      • landlord
      • heir
      • grantor
      • grantee
      • licencee

      Language use: Forming adjectives with negative prefixes pag. 74 ex 5,6

      Reading 2: Real Property investment law ex 7, 9


      Language notes:
      I termini "freehold" e “leasehold” sono entrambi termini di matrice feudale.
      Il primo possiamo renderlo con “proprietà fondiaria assoluta/libera” Chi acquista una “freehold” proprietà diventa “freeholder” e acquisisce il massimo dei poteri possibili su quell’immobile e senza alcun limite di tempo;

      Rientrano in questo istituto:
      Fee simple = diritto assoluto sulla proprietà
      fee tail = Il beneficiario ha un diritto limitato in quanto non può vendere il bene ma solo tramandarlo ai suoi eredi; la proprietà ha un vincolo inalienabile
      life estate = il bene è di proprietà del beneficiario solo per la durata della sua vita
      • Estate pur (pour) autre vie = simile al life estate ma il bene è di proprietà del beneficiario per la durata della vita di una terza persona. For example, if Bob is given use of the family house for as long as his mother lives, he has possession of the house pur autre vie

      Leasehold, pur traducendosi con proprietà in affitto, si riferisce alla locazione del suolo. Il termine fa riferimento ad un rapporto giuridico in base al quale un soggetto detto lessor(locatore) conferisce al lessee (locatario) un diritto esclusivo di proprietà sull’immobile per un periodo di tempo determinato, di solito per una consideration detta ground rent . Deve essere sottolineato che il lease si differenzia profondamente dalla locazione così come intesa nei sistemi civilistici, soprattutto per il fatto che il titolare del lease è titolare di un diritto di natura reale sull’immobile, dove invece il locatario dei sistemi di civil law può vantare soltanto un diritto di credito nei confronti del locatore. Quando si acquista una proprietà con leasehold bisogna prestare attenzione alle covenants, ossia le obbligazioni alle quali il lessee è tenuto ad osservare, la cui presenza rappresenta una delle particolarità più difficile da accettare per chi è abituato al sistema civilistico.

      Act of conveyance: (atto di cessione) transfer of title in land from one person to another

      Goods and chattels: beni ed effetti
      title interest: diritto nel titolo, interest in the real property

      Lease/let/rent vb. They are used interchangeably – More common:
      To lease/let property to somebody and rent property from somebody
      Lease= n. the agreement
      Rent= n. the money to be paid
      inheritable = passed on to heirs


      Articolo:

      pros & cons of leasehold

      Website
      Buy to let investment



      Statute of frauds
      The statute of frauds del 1677 fu la prima legge nel sistema inglese a prevedere la forma scritta ad probationem, ossia la possibilità di far valere in giudizio un contratto che è e rimane valido di per sé. Successivamente il Law of Property Act 1925 ritenne obbligatoria la forma scritta ad probationem solo per i contratti aventi per oggetto la proprietà o altri diritti reali su beni terrieri e il Law Reform (Enforcement of Contracts) Act 1954 stabilì che detta forma fosse da ritenersi necessaria per i contratti di garanzia.[read more..]
      Traditionally, the statute of frauds requires a writing signed by the party against whom enforcement is sought in the following circumstances:
      • Contracts in consideration of marriage.
      • Contracts which cannot be performed within one year.
      • Contracts for the transfer of an interest in land. Contracts by the executor of a will to pay a debt of the estate with their own money.
      • Contracts for the sale of goods above a certain value.
      • Contracts in which one party becomes a surety (garanzia acts as guarantor) for another party's debt or other obligation.

      Law students often remember these circumstances by the mnemonic "MYLEGS" (marriage, year, land, executor, goods, surety). It is important to note that in the United States, each State; in Canada, each province; and in Australia each State has its own variation on the statute of frauds, which may differ significantly from the traditional list.

      Key terms: page 77 ex 16; page 79 ex 23
      Preparare un glossario specifico per "real property law"
      ex: escrow (account/agreement) = deposito in garanzia

      Homework Listening1 7.1 Property Law Presentation  ex. 11, 12
      Listening 2  page 78 ex 19-21
      Reading 3: Draft tenancy agreement page 80 ex 25
      Language focus page 82 ex 1-4

      domenica 6 novembre 2011

      Lesson_ 7th November

      Reading 4 pp. 67-68 ex 21-24: Commercial agency contract - ICC (International Chamber of Commerce)
      From legal English to plain English

      Sample agency contract

      • Language focus pag 71

      HomeworkWords and key language from the unit (possibilmente solo espressioni e parole che risultano difficile comprendere per un italiano. Ex. Tradurre “agent” non ha senso a meno che non facciamo un intervento concettuale nelle diverse jurisdictions.



      • Listening 2: Meeting with corporate counsel pag 70 ex 29-30
      • Extra activity – collocations
      • Transnational commercial law - quiz
      • Commercial agency quiz
      • New unit: Real Property Law_reading 1 pp. 72-73

      mercoledì 2 novembre 2011

      Lesson _ 2nd November

      Listening 2 (5.3-5.4)
      Phrasal verbs

      Commercial Law: Introduction pp. 60-61 language in context - ex 3, 4

      Bodies of Law that govern Trade and Commerce

      Istituto Commerciale Commercio Estero (ICE)

      Chamber of Commerce in Italy

      Uniform Commercial Code (UCC)

      World Trade Organization (WTO) + video (WTO)

      Profile of a Commercial Lawyer

      Listening 6.1 page 62 ex 5-6

      Language use: Adverbs functions

      Homework
      • Text analysis: Letter of Application pp 63-65 ex 10-13
      • Commercial Law Internship Reading 2 pag 65 (solo lettura)
      • Role of commercial agents pp. 66-67 (ex 18, 20)
      • Phrasal verbs (da tradurre)
      • Qualsiasi intervento in merito ai link sopra riportati