American Legal System-法律英语.ppt

GeneralFeaturesofAmericanLegalSystem,FoundingoftheAmericanlegalsystemTheAmericanConstitutionImportantfeaturesofAmericanlegalsystem,WeallknowthatConstitutionisusuallyregardedasthemostimportantandfundamentallawofacountry.WhataboutAmericanConstitution?InwhatwaydoyouthinkAmericanConstitutionisimportantintheconstructionofAmericanlegalsystem?KeywordsforyourreferenceThefirstcompleteconstitutionAlllawsconsistentwiththeconstitutionHardtomend,Thehistoryanddevelopmentofanationinfluencetheshape,focus,andscopeofitslegalsystem.Forexample,theUnitedStates,Canada,andGreatBritainoncesharedthesamesystem,butsincetheAmericanWarofIndependence(1775-1783)thatcommonsystemhassplitintothreedistinctsystems.TheUnitedStateshasonerelativelybriefdocumentthatisknownasthefirstcompleteConstitutionofthecapitalistworld;allotherlawsintheUS,whetherstateorfederal,mustbeconsistentwithit.Becauseofitsimportance,theConstitutionisverydifficulttoamendchange.InCanada,however,therearemanydocumentsthattogetherformthatcountrysconstitution.TheUK,ontheotherhand,hasnospecialdocuments,andParliamentmaychangethelawatanytime.,Newwordsandexpressions,amend:Toalter(alegislativemeasure,forexample)formallybyadding,deleting,orrephrasing修正，修订e.g.OnlytheCongresshasthepowertoamendtheConstitution.Amendment:Formalrevisionof,additionto,orchange,asinabilloraconstitution.修正案，修正条款：对法案、宪法的正式修改、增补或改变e.g.The19thAmendmenttotheConstitutiongavewomentherighttovote.,Theearlyconstitution,Topicsfordiscussion:HowmuchdoyouknowaboutthefirstConstitutionofAmerica?Howdiditdefinethepowersofthecentralgovernment?ReadTheArticlesofConfederationandtellmewhatitismainlyabout.KeywordsforyourreferenceTheArticlesofConfederationfederalcourtspresidentsinglechamberofCongress,InordertounderstandUSlaw,wemustlookatthefoundingoftheUSandtheunitingoftheindividualcoloniesintoasinglenation.TheAmericanWarofIndependencebroughttheoriginalthirteencoloniestogethertofightacommonfoe,theBritish.Thecolonies,declaringthemselvesindependentstates,originallyagreedtoaveryweakconfederationinordertodefeattheircommonenemy.ThisfirstfederalconstitutionoftheUS,“TheArticlesofConfederation,”waswrittenin1777andwasfinallyratifiedapprovedbythestatesin1781.ThefirstconstitutionoftheUnitedStates,passedbyThesecondContinentalCongressin1787,butnotratifieduntil1781,replacedbythepresentconstitutionin1789duetolackofgovernmentalpowers.,InthisfirstformofAmericangovernment,therewereneitherfederalcourtsnorapresidentandthesinglechamberofCongresshadnowaytoenforceitslaws.Theindividualstatescouldanddidignorefederallawswithimpunity.ItquicklybecameclearthattheUSwouldnotremainunitedlongunlesstheroleofthefederalgovernmentwasstrengthened.,Newwordsandexpressions,1.Confederation:Theactofformingintoorbecomingpartofaconfederacy.联邦,结盟2.ratify:Toapproveandgiveformalsanctionto;confirm.批准,认可e.g.“Amendments.shallbevalid.whenratifiedbytheLegislaturesofthreefourthsoftheseveralStates”(U.S.Constitution,ArticleV).“修正案当为四分之三的州立法机构赞同时将生效”（美国宪法，第五条）ratification3.withimpunity:withoutfearofconsequences不受惩罚地,Constitutionof1787,Topicsfordiscussion:Forwhatreasonwastheconstitutionalconventionheldin1787?WhatpowersdidthefederalgovernmenthaveaccordingtothenewConstitution?Howwasthegovernmentinstituted?,Keywordsforyourreference,formationofastrongunionstrongercentralgovernmentbroaderfederalpowersoverindividualstateslimitedpowersrighttoimposecertainfederaltaxeswagewarregulateinterstateandforeigncommercemaketreatieswithforeigngovernmentsornationsafederalsystemofcourtsexecutivebranchheadedbythepresidentbicamerallegislativebranch,In1787,aconstitutionalconvention(制宪会议)wasconvenedtoformastronger,moredurableunion.Theprimaryconcernoftheparticipantswastheformationofastrongunionwithoutthedisappearanceofthestatesasindividualpowersinthesystem.Theinevitablecompromiseamongthedelegatesledthemawayfromtheearlierlooseconfederationofsovereignstatestowardastrongercentralgovernment.Intheendthismovementresultedinacentralgovernment,stillprotectiveofstatesrights,butwithbroaderfederalpowersoverindividuals.,WethepeopleoftheUnitedStates,inordertoformamoreperfectunion,establishjustice,insuredomestictranquility,provideforthecommondefense,promotethegeneralwelfare,andsecuretheblessingsoflibertytoourselvesandourposterity,doordainandestablishthisConstitutionfortheUnitedStatesofAmerica.我们，美利坚合众国的人民，为了组织一个更完善的联邦，树立正义，保障国内的安宁，建立共同的国防，增进全民福利和确保我们自己及我们后代能安享自由带来的幸福，乃为美利坚合众国制定和确立这一部宪法。,Broadenedpowers,however,didntmeanunlimitedpowers.The“FoundingFathers”(remember,womenwerenotallowedtovoteintheU.Suntilratificationofthe19thAmendmenttotheConstitutionin1920)designedthefederalgovernmentwithlimitedpowers,whichincludedtherighttoimposecertainfederaltaxes,towagewarinthenameofallthestates,toregulateinterstateandforeigncommerce,andtomaketreatieswithforeigngovernmentsornations.Theremainingpowersbelongedtothestates.,Thisnewconstitutionaddedtwobranchestothefederalgovernment:afederalsystemofcourtswiththeSupremeCourtasitsheadandtheexecutivebranchunderthecontrolofthenewlycreatedofficeofthepresident.Additionally,tohelpsolveamajorproblemofrepresentationbetweenthelargeandthesmallstates,thelegislativebranchwaschangedtoitspresentbicameraltwochamberform-theHouseofRepresentativesandtheSenate,knowncollectivelyasCongress.,ArticleISection1.AlllegislativepowershereingrantedshallbevestedinaCongressoftheUnitedStates,whichshallconsistofaSenateandHouseofRepresentatives.第一条第一款：本宪法所规定的立法权，全属合众国的国会，国会由一个参议院和一个众议院组成。,ArticleIISection1.TheexecutivepowershallbevestedinaPresidentoftheUnitedStatesofAmerica.Heshallholdhisofficeduringthetermoffouryears,and,togetherwiththeVicePresident,chosenforthesameterm,beelected,asfollows:第二条第一款：行政权力赋予美利坚合众国总统。总统任期四年，总统和具有同样任期的副总统，应照下列手续选举：,ArticleIIISection1.ThejudicialpoweroftheUnitedStates,shallbevestedinoneSupremeCourt,andinsuchinferiorcourtsastheCongressmayfromtimetotimeordainandestablish.Thejudges,bothofthesupremeandinferiorcourts,shallholdtheirofficesduringgoodbehaviour,andshall,atstatedtimes,receivefortheirservices,acompensation,whichshallnotbediminishedduringtheircontinuanceinoffice.第三条第一款：合众国的司法权属于一个最高法院以及由国会随时下令设立的低级法院。最高法院和低级法院的法官，如果尽忠职守，应继续任职，并按期接受俸给作为其服务之报酬，在其继续任职期间，该项俸给不得削减。,Newwordsandexpressions,1.posterity:Futuregenerations后代e.g.“Everythinghewritesisconsignedtoposterity”(JoyceCarolOates)2.ordain:Toorderbyvirtueofsuperiorauthority;decreeorenact.颁布法令3.impose:Toestablishorapplyascompulsory;levy征收e.g.imposeatax4.wage:Toengagein(awarorcampaign,forexample)发动5.bicameral:Composedoforbasedontwolegislativechambersorbranches两个议院的,基于两个立法议院或立法部门的e.g.abicamerallegislature.两院立法6.bevestedin:Toplace(authority,property,orrights,forexample)inthecontrolofapersonorgroup,especiallytogivesomeoneanimmediaterighttopresentorfuturepossessionorenjoymentof(anestate,forexample).授权：给某人或者群体权威、财产或者权利,Topicsfordiscussion:Whatarechecksandbalances?ItseemsthattheConstitutiondidnotexplicitlygivethepowerofjudicialreviewtothenewlycreatedfederaljudiciary.Thenhowdidthepowerofjudicialreviewcomeintoexistence?,Keywordsforyourreference,threefederalbranchesmaintainawatchontheothertwonoonebranchbecomestoopowerfulfederalgovernmentnottoopowerfulMarburyV.MadisonChiefJusticeJohnMarshalllimitedpowersoftheCongressfederallegislationsubjecttojudicialreviewinthefederalcourtstheauthoritytojudgethevalidityofstatestatutes,TheConstitutionestablishedaseriesofchecksandbalances(制衡机制)sothateachofthesethreefederalbranchescouldmaintainawatchontheothertwo.Thesechecksandbalancesensurethatnoonebranchofthefederalgovernmentbecomestoopowerful.Additionally,thestates,evermindfulofretainingtheirpowers,alsoprovideanexternalchecktoensurethatthefederalgovernmentasawholedoesntbecometoopowerful.Therearealtogether27amendmentstotheAmericanConstitution.ThefirsttenarecalledBillofRights.The19thAmendmenttotheConstitutiongavewomentherighttovote.,InhisdecisioninthelandmarkcaseMarburyV.Madison,5U.S(1Cranch)137,2L.Ed.60(1803),thefamousChiefJusticeJohnMarshallestablishedthatfederallegislationwassubjecttojudicialreviewinthefederalcourts.Inthiscase,theSupremeCourtrefusedtogiveeffecttoasectionofafederalstatute.TheChiefJusticearguedtheConstitutionhadgrantedlimitedpowerstotheCongress.Therefore,itwasthejobofthefederalcourtstodecideifCongresshadadheredtotherulesintheConstitution,whichinthiscasetheCourtdecidedCongresshadnotdone.Consequently,itwasacceptedbyallbranchedofthefederalgovernmentthattheroleofthejudiciarywastodetermineifCongresshadoversteppeditspowersand,ifithad,todeclarethelegislationunconstitutional.,Notlongafterthedecision,theSupremeCourtsuccessfullyheldthatthefederalConstitution(remember,eachofthestateshasitsownstateconstitution)gavetheCourttheauthoritytojudgethevalidityofstatestatutesiftheyseemedinconflictwiththefederalConstitution.ThisjudicialreviewofthestatestatuteshasbecomeoneofthemajorunifyingforcesintheU.S.Inretrospect,itlooksasthoughtheSupremeCourtcarveditspowersfromtheintentionallyvaguelanguageoftheConstitution.ThepowerstheSupremeCourtgaveitselfandthefederaljudiciaryhavebeencrucialinthedevelopmentofAmericanlaw.,Newwordsandexpressions,1.overstepitspowers:Togobeyond(alimit);exceeditspowers2.Unconstitutional:Notinaccordwiththeprinciplessetforthintheconstitutionofanationorstate.违宪的3.Valid:Havinglegalforce;effectiveorbinding合法的,有效的或有约束力的Validity:有效性,合法性,FeaturesofAmericanlegalsystem,Topicfordiscussion:WhatarethefeaturesofAmericanlegalsystem?Keywordsforyourreference:supremacyoflaw(法律至上)precedent(遵循先例)theideaofthetrialasacontest(对抗式审判)complexity,Eventhroughthenineteenthcentury,U.Sjudges,attorneys,andlegalscholarsreliedonBritishlaw.Today,however,Britishlawisnolongerasinfluentialasitoncewas.ThereareafewBritishcasesthatarestillmentionedinAmericanlawschoolstoday,butfarmoreimportantly,therearefundamentalconceptsinheritedfromtheEnglishtraditionthatarestillflourishingandcontinuetoseparatetheEnglishandAmericansystemsfromotherlegalsystems,suchasthecivillawsystemsofGermanyandFrance.ThreeofthemostimportantconceptsthatwehaveinheritedfromtheEnglisharesupremacyoflaw,precedent,andtheideaofthetrialasacontest.,1.ThefactthatboththeexecutivethepresidentandlegislativetheCongressbranchesofthegovernmentarerequiredtofollowthelawassetdownintheU.SConstitutionisanindicatorofthesupremacyoflawintheU.S.2.Precedentisthetraditionthatrequiresthatcourtsfollowthelawasstatedindecisionsbyearliercourts.,3.Finally,Americantrialisanadversarialproceeding(contest),likechess,inwhichtheopposingattorneysseemtobemoreconcernedwithwinningthatwitharrivingatthetruth.Actually,intheU.S.90%ofthecasesdonotproceedtotrialbutaresettledoutofcourtinsettlementsthataresatisfactorytobothsides.Inotherwords,inmostcasesallsidesworktogethertoarriveatthetruth.,TheAmericanlegalsystemfeaturesacomplexityresultingfromAmericanfederalism.Withinthefederalstructure,eachstateretainsasubstantialdegreeofautonomy.Eachhasitsownconstitution,statutesmadebyitsownlegislature,andabodyofcaselawcreatedbyitsowncourts.Soitcanbesaidthatinsteadofoneuniformlegalsystem,Americahasfiftyone-asystemforeachstateplusthefederallegalsystem.Eachstatehasitsownsetofcourtsandatleastonefederaldistrictcourtexercisinglimitedfederaljurisdiction(管辖权)withinthatstate.Thus,beforeaplaintiff(原告)commencesalawsuit,hemustdecideuponachoiceoffederalcourtorstatecourt.,Ifadisputearisesoutofaseriesofactivitiesindifferentstates,andthesubstantiverightsatissue(indispute)aredefineddifferentlyinthesestates,thechoiceofapplicablelawbecomesacrucialquestionandfurthercomplicatesthelegalsituation.Lookatthefollowingexample:Acontractisconcludedinonestate,performedinanoth