Module 1: US & UK Court Systems
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🎯 Learning Objectives
By the end of this module, you will be able to:
- Explain the difference between federal and state courts in the US
- Understand how Magistrates' Courts work in the UK
- Read and analyze real court documents in English
- Use essential legal vocabulary with confidence
- Recognize key differences between common law and civil law systems
📚 Key Vocabulary - Study These Terms
Matching Exercise
Match the terms (1-10) with their definitions (a-j)Click on pairs to match them:
Terms
Definitions
Complete the Sentences
Use words from the box to fill in the blanksWord Box: court, appeal, jurisdiction, trial, federal, judge, magistrate
1. In the United States, there are both courts and state courts.
2. If you disagree with a decision, you can file an to a higher court.
3. A is a person who presides over a court and makes legal decisions.
4. The lasted three weeks before the jury reached a verdict.
5. Minor criminal cases in England are heard by a in a Magistrates' Court.
6. Federal courts have over cases involving federal law.
7. The case will be heard in next month.
📖 Understanding Common Law Court Systems
The United States and the United Kingdom both use common law systems, but their court structures are different. In the United States, there are two separate court systems: federal courts and state courts. Federal courts deal with cases involving federal law, disputes between states, and cases involving foreign governments. The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) is the highest court in the country. State courts handle most criminal and civil cases, including family law, contracts, and property disputes.
In the United Kingdom, the court system is unified but divided by the type of case. Criminal cases in England and Wales start in Magistrates' Courts for minor offenses or in the Crown Court for serious crimes. Civil cases begin in County Courts or the High Court depending on their complexity. The UK Supreme Court (UKSC), established in 2009, is the final court of appeal for the entire UK.
Mexico uses a civil law system, which is different from common law. However, Mexico has federal and state courts similar to the US. The Supreme Court of Justice (SCJN) is the highest court. Understanding Anglo-American court systems helps Mexican lawyers work with international clients and understand case precedents from the US and UK.
Key difference: In common law countries, judges' decisions create legal precedents that future courts must follow. In civil law countries like Mexico, written codes are more important than precedents.
📊 Comparative Table
| Feature | United States | United Kingdom | Mexico |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legal System | Common Law | Common Law | Civil Law |
| Highest Court | Supreme Court (SCOTUS) | UK Supreme Court (UKSC) | Supreme Court (SCJN) |
| Court Structure | Federal + State | Unified (by case type) | Federal + State |
| Criminal Trial Court | District Court / State Court | Crown Court | Federal/State Courts |
| Minor Criminal Cases | State Courts | Magistrates' Court | Minor Offenses Courts |
| Role of Precedent | Very important | Very important | Less important |
True or False
Determine if the statements are correct. If false, correct them.1. The US has only one court system for the entire country.
2. The UK Supreme Court was established in 2009.
3. Mexico uses a common law system like the US and UK.
4. Federal courts in the US deal with cases involving federal law.
5. Magistrates' Courts in the UK handle serious criminal cases.
6. In common law, judges' decisions create precedents.
Comprehension Questions
Choose the best answer for each question1. What is the main difference between federal and state courts in the US?
2. What types of cases do UK Magistrates' Courts handle?
3. Why is it important for Mexican lawyers to understand Anglo-American court systems?
4. What is the key difference between common law and civil law regarding precedents?
Key Vocabulary
Choose the correct legal term for each definition1. A previous court decision that guides future cases:
2. Laws and disputes involving crimes:
3. Disagreements about contracts, property, or rights:
4. The court that hears the most serious criminal cases in England:
5. The final court of appeal in the United States:
🎧 A Day in Westminster Magistrates' Court
Context: You will hear Sarah Chen, a court clerk, describing a typical day at a Magistrates' Court in London.
Audio: A Day at Westminster Magistrates' Court
Sarah Chen - Court Clerk
Note: The audio is also embedded in the video lecture at timestamp 27:00. You can use either the audio player above or the video.
📄 Audio Transcript (Click to expand)
"Good morning, I'm Sarah Chen, and I work as a court clerk at Westminster Magistrates' Court in London. Let me tell you about a typical day here.
A typical day starts at 9:00 AM when we open the court. Most people don't realise that magistrates are not professional judges – they are trained volunteers from the local community. They receive extensive training, but they usually have other jobs during the week.
We handle minor criminal cases, like traffic offenses, shoplifting, and minor assaults. Each case usually takes about twenty minutes, though some can be longer if there are complications. The defendant can represent themselves or have a lawyer present to advise them.
If the case is more serious than we initially thought, the magistrates can send it to the Crown Court where it will be heard by a professional judge and possibly a jury. We also deal with warrant applications – these are requests from police to search property or arrest someone – and bail hearings, where we decide if someone can be released while waiting for trial.
It's important to remember that not all cases are completed in one day. Sometimes we need to adjourn the case to another date, perhaps because we need more evidence or witnesses aren't available. The volume of cases is quite high – we might see thirty to forty cases in a single day.
Working in a Magistrates' Court gives you a real insight into how the justice system works at the community level. It's where most people's only contact with the courts happens."
Listening Comprehension
Tick (✓) the information you hear in the audioListen carefully and select ONLY what Sarah Chen mentions:
Listen and Complete
Fill in the missing words from the audio"Good morning, I'm Sarah Chen, and I work as a court clerk at Westminster Magistrates' Court. A typical day starts at when we open the court. Most people don't realise that magistrates are not judges – they are trained volunteers from the local .
We handle minor criminal cases, like offenses, shoplifting, and minor assaults. Each case usually takes about minutes. The defendant can represent themselves or have a present. If the case is more serious, the magistrates can send it to the Court. We also deal with applications and bail hearings."
Court Roles
Match each role with its responsibilityRoles
Responsibilities
📄 Document Analysis: Court Summons
Read this extract from a real UK Magistrates' Court summons:
Marylebone Road, London NW1 5TR
SUMMONS TO ATTEND COURT
15 Victoria Street, London SW1
on Monday, 4th December 2024 at 10:00 AM
Date of Offense: 15th September 2024
Location: Oxford Street, London W1
a warrant may be issued for your arrest. You may be represented by
a solicitor or legal representative.
Date: 15th November 2024
Document Analysis
Answer questions about the court summons1. The name of the court:
2. The date of the hearing:
3. The offense charged:
4. The defendant's name:
5. What happens if the defendant doesn't attend:
6. Can the defendant have a lawyer?
⚖️ Legal Latin Terms
Common Latin phrases used in Anglo-American courts:
Latin Legal Terms
Match the Latin terms with their English meaningsLatin Terms
English Meanings
📋 Module Summary
In this module, you learned:
- The US has two court systems: federal courts and state courts
- The UK Supreme Court was established in 2009
- Magistrates in the UK are trained volunteers from the community
- Common law systems rely on precedents; civil law systems rely on codes
- How to read and analyze authentic court documents
- Essential legal vocabulary and Latin terms used in Anglo-American courts
📧 Submit Your Work: Email your completed exercises and reflection questions to jorge_clemente@empirica.mx for personalized feedback!
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