Лектор докладно проаналізувала разом з учасниками силу юридичної мови: впевнене опанування умовних слів, послідовності часів і мовлення, а саме:

1. Вступ. Роль умовних речень, узгодження часів та прямої/непрямої мови в контрактах, судових справах та юридичному документуванні.

2. Conditionals in Legal English (умовні речення в юридичній англійській мові).

• 2.1. Overview of the four types of conditionals (Zero, First, Second, Third).
• 2.2. Mixed conditionals in legal contexts.
• 2.3. The impact of modal verbs (shall, may, must) in conditional.
• 2.4. Case study: Як умовні речення впливають на зобов’язання та відповідальність у контрактах.

3. Sequence of Tenses in Legal Texts (узгодження часів у юридичних текстах англійською мовою).

• 3.1. The logic behind tense shifting in legal writing.
• 3.2. Tense consistency in contracts, statutes, and case.
• 3.3. Practical examples: Ensuring clarity and avoiding ambiguity in legal documents.

4. Direct & Indirect (Reported) Speech in Legal English (пряма та непряма мова в юридичних текстах англійською мовою).

• 4.1. When and why legal professionals use reported speech.
• 4.2. Shifting tenses correctly in reported statements and questions.
• 4.3. Quoting legal precedents and witness testimonies accurately.
• 4.4. Common mistakes and how to avoid them.

5. Conclusions & Key Takeaways (висновки та поради за темою заходу).

У рамках характеристики впевненого опанування умовних слів, послідовності часів і мовлення акцентовано на наступному:

1. Вступ. Роль умовних речень, узгодження часів та прямої/непрямої мови в контрактах, судових справах та юридичному документуванні

“Precision in language is precision in law.”

Mastering conditionals, sequence of tenses, and reported speech ensures clarity in contracts, statutes, and legal arguments, preventing ambiguity and misinterpretation.

This session will equip you with the tools to draft, interpret, and apply legal language with confidence and accuracy.

Vocabulary:

• Conditionals in Legal Texts – умовні речення в юридичних текстах англійською мовою.
• Sequence of tenses in Legal Texts – узгодження часів у юридичних текстах англійською мовою.
• Direct & Indirect (Reported) Speech in Legal English – Пряма та непряма мова в юридичній англійській мові.

Conditionals in Legal Texts:

1. Contracts – визначення зобов’язань сторін за певних умов. Ex: If the buyer fails to make payment within 30 days, the seller shall have the right to terminate the agreement.
2. Court decisions – гіпотетичні сценарії щодо можливих правових наслідків. Ex: If the defendant had complied with the regulations, the damages would not have occurred.
3. Legal documents and legislation – визначення правових норм залежно від обставин. Ex: If a party is found guilty of negligence, they shall be liable for damages.

Sequence of tenses in Legal Texts:

1. Contracts – узгодження часів гарантує, що всі положення документа відповідають хронологічній логіці. Ex: The parties agreed that payments would be made quarterly.
2. Court decisions – передача попередніх судових рішень або свідчень у коректній часовій формі. Ex: The witness testified that he had seen the defendant at the crime scene.
3. Legal documents and legislation – юридичні висновки та аналітика. Використання коректного часу допомагає встановити, коли дія мала місце і чи може вона мати юридичні наслідки в майбутньому.

Direct & Indirect (Reported) Speech in Legal English:

1. Contracts:

• Пряма мова використовується у прямих цитатах з юридичних документів. Ex: The contract states: “The supplier must deliver the goods by June 1.”
• Непряма мова допомагає коректно передати наміри сторін. The contract states that the supplier must deliver the goods by June 1.

2. Court decisions – використовується для точної передачі слів свідків, суддів або сторін процесу. Ex: The witness said, “I saw the accident at 10 PM.” The witness stated that he had seen the accident at 10 PM.

3. Legal documents and legislation – юристи використовують непряму мову при аналізі правових ситуацій або тлумаченні законодавства. Ex: The court held that the defendant had breached the contract.

2. Conditionals in Legal English (умовні речення в юридичній англійській мові)

2.1. Overview of the four types of conditionals (Zero, First, Second, Third)

1. Zero Conditional (General Truths & Legal Principles):

Structure: If + present simple, present simple.

Usage: Used for general truths, legal principles, and consequences that are always true.

Example: If a contract lacks consideration, it is unenforceable. (General legal principle —always true.)

Example: If a person commits fraud, they face criminal liability. (A legal cause -and -effect relationship.)

2. First Conditional (Real Future Situations & Legal Consequences):

Structure: If + present simple, will + infinitive.

Usage: Used for real and likely future scenarios, including legal predictions and consequences.

Example: If the tenant fails to pay rent, the landlord will terminate the lease. (A probable future outcome based on present conditions).

Example: If the parties reach a settlement, the case will be dismissed. (A likely legal consequence.)

3. Second Conditional (Hypothetical Legal Scenarios):

Structure: If + past simple, would + infinitive.

Usage: Used for hypothetical or unlikely situations, legal advice, and risk assessment.

Example: If the law allowed unilateral contract changes, it would create uncertainty. (A hypothetical legal scenario).

Example: If I were the judge, I would rule in favor of the plaintiff. (A hypothetical legal decision.)

Third Conditional (Past Hypotheticals & Legal Outcomes):

Structure: If + past perfect, would have + past participle.

Usage: Used to discuss past hypothetical situations and their consequences. Example: If the defendant had disclosed the defect, the buyer would not have sued. (A past hypothetical event and its legal consequence).

Example: If the contract had included a force majeure clause, the company would have avoided liability. (A past alternative legal outcome.)

2.2. Mixed conditionals in legal contexts

• Mixed conditionals combine elements of second and third conditionals to describe hypothetical situations where the cause and consequence occur in different time frames.
• These are useful in legal reasoning, case analysis, and drafting arguments.
• Case Analysis: Helps explain how past actions impact current legal responsibilities.
• Legal Arguments: Allows precise reasoning in court and legal writing.
• Contract Law: Helps draft clauses that address hypothetical obligations.

Past Cause → Present Effect (Third Conditional + Second Conditional).

Structure: If + past perfect, would + verb.

Usage: Used when a past event affects a present situation.

Example: If the company had complied with the safety regulations, it would not be facing a lawsuit now. (A past failure leads to a present legal consequence).

Example: If the defendant had signed the contract, he would be legally bound to perform today. (A past action determines current legal obligations).

Present Cause → Past Effect (Second Conditional + Third Conditional).

Structure: If + past simple, would have + past participle.

Usage: Used when a present or ongoing hypothetical situation affects a past outcome.

Example: If the judge were more lenient, he would have granted bail last week. (A current characteristic or policy affects a past ruling).

Example: If the company were financially stable, it would not have declared bankruptcy last year. (A present financial state hypothetically changing a past event).

2.3. The impact of modal verbs (shall, may, must) in conditional

1. Shall in Conditionals (Obligation & Legal Certainty).

Used in contracts and statutes to impose a duty or obligation.

• First Conditional (Real Future Obligation). If the buyer fails to make payment, the seller shall terminate the contract. (A mandatory consequence in case of non-payment).
• Zero Conditional (General Legal Principle). If a party breaches confidentiality, it shall be liable for damages. (A legal rule applicable in all cases).

• Second Conditional (Hypothetical Obligation). If the court were to find negligence, the defendant shall compensate the plaintiff. (A hypothetical scenario where a duty arises).

Key takeaway: “Shall” creates a strong mandatory obligation in legal texts.

2. May in Conditionals (Permission & Discretion).

Used to indicate a right, discretion, or possibility.

• First Conditional (Future Permission). If both parties agree, they may amend the contract. (Parties have discretion to amend under certain conditions).

• Zero Conditional (Legal Right or Authority). If an employee resigns, they may receive severance pay. (A general legal possibility, depending on conditions).

• Second Conditional (Hypothetical Permission). If the law allowed, companies may terminate employees without notice. (A hypothetical situation that is not currently possible).

Key takeaway: “May” introduces discretion or permission rather than obligation.

3. Must in Conditionals (Legal Necessity & Prohibition).

Used to impose strict legal requirements or prohibitions.

• First Conditional (Legal Requirement for the Future). If a party wishes to terminate the contract, they must provide 30 days’ notice. (A future obligation triggered by a specific action).

• Zero Conditional (General Legal Rule). If an individual is arrested, they must be informed of their rights. (A fundamental legal requirement).

• Third Conditional (Missed Obligation in the Past). If the company had complied with the law, it must not have faced penalties. (A past hypothetical situation where legal compliance would have prevented consequences).

Key takeaway: “Must” imposes strict obligations and is often found in statutes and regulatory provisions.

2.4. Case study: Як умовні речення впливають на зобов’язання та відповідальність у контрактах

Сase 1: “If the Manufacturer had replaced the defective parts within the warranty period, the Customer would not have filed a lawsuit.”

Аналіз:

• Використано Third Conditional для опису гіпотетичної ситуації у минулому.
• Указує на упущену можливість уникнути судового позову.
• Може бути використано як аргумент у суді щодо відповідальності виробника.

Сase 2: “If the Supplier fails to deliver the goods by the agreed date, the Buyer shall be entitled to a penalty of 5% of the contract value per week of delay.”

Аналіз:

• Використано First Conditional, оскільки ситуація можлива в майбутньому.
• “Shall be entitled” створює юридично обов’язкове право на штрафні санкції.
• Якщо постачальник затримує поставку, покупець має автоматичне право вимагати компенсацію.

3. Sequence of Tenses in Legal Texts (узгодження часів у юридичних текстах англійською мовою).

3.1. The logic behind tense shifting in legal writing

Reported Speech: у судових документах, звітах та юридичних висновках часто використовується непряма мова, яка потребує узгодження часів.

Ex: Пряма мова: “The company is responsible for the damage,” the judge said.

Непряма мова: The judge said that the company was responsible for the damage.

Legal Contracts: при цитуванні або посиланні на попередні домовленості, також застосовується узгодження часів.

Ex: “The parties agreed that the seller would deliver the goods by 01 April 2025.” (Використано would замість will, оскільки головне речення в минулому).

Court Decisions & Legal Analysis: у судових справах та юридичних висновках.

Ex: “The court held that the contract had been breached due to non-payment.” (Застосовано Past Perfect для позначення події, що передувала рішенню суду).

Shifting to Reflect the Time of Legal Events:

Legal documents often reference past events while keeping certain legal principles or obligations in the present or future.

• Example from Case Law: “The court ruled that the defendant had breached the contract.” The ruling happened in the past → ruled (Past Simple) The breach happened before the ruling → had breached (Past Perfect).

• Example from a Contract: “The parties agreed that the seller would deliver the goods by April 1.” Agreement occurred in the past → agreed (Past Simple) Obligation was set for the future (relative to the agreement) → would deliver (Future-in-the-Past).

3.2. Tense consistency in contracts, statutes, and case

Tense Consistency in Statutes and Legislation:

Present Tense for Legal Certainty.

Legislation is written in the Present Simple because laws are permanent and applicable at all times.

Example from a Statute: “A person who commits fraud is guilty of an offense and shall be liable to a fine.” (All present-tense verbs ensure the rule applies whenever the act occurs).

Common Mistake: A person who committed fraud shall be guilty of an offense. (Incorrect, as the law must cover both past and future offenses. The past event is determined through case law, not statutory language).

Tense Consistency in Case Law and Court Judgments:

Using Past Tense for Court Decisions and Legal Precedents.

When summarizing case law, we use Past Simple for court rulings and Past Perfect for events preceding the judgment.

Example: “The court held that the defendant had breached the contract.” (Past Simple for the ruling, Past Perfect for the earlier breach).

Common Mistake: The court holds that the defendant had breached the contract. (Incorrect because “holds” suggests an ongoing decision, which is rare in case reporting).

Ongoing Legal Principle (Exception to Past Tense): “The Supreme Court held that all employees are entitled to overtime pay.” (Past for the ruling, Present for the legal principle still in force).

3.3. Practical examples: Ensuring clarity and avoiding ambiguity in legal documents

Example 1: Contract Clause (Incorrect vs. Correct Tense Usage).

• If the buyer fails to pay, the seller may terminate the agreement. (Correct because Present Simple keeps the clause enforceable).

• If the buyer would not have paid, the seller shall terminate the agreement. (Incorrect because it mixes Third Conditional with a future obligation).

Example 2: Legal Judgment (Incorrect vs. Correct Tense Usage).

• The court ruled that the defendant was liable because he was breached the duty of care. (Incorrect because “was breached” is ungrammatical).

• The court ruled that the defendant was liable because he had breached the duty of care. (Correct sequence: Past Simple for ruling, Past Perfect for earlier action).

4. Direct & Indirect (Reported) Speech in Legal English (пряма та непряма мова в юридичних текстах англійською мовою).

4.1. When and why legal professionals use reported speech

(A)Direct Speech Direct speech quotes the exact words of a person or legal authority. It is often used in witness statements, court transcripts, and legal arguments. Example: The witness stated, “I saw the defendant enter the building at 10:00 PM.”

(B) Indirect Speech (Reported Speech) Indirect speech paraphrases what was said, often shifting tenses and pronouns while maintaining the meaning. Example (Reported Version of the Statement Above): The witness stated that he had seen the defendant enter the building at 10:00 PM. ( saw → had seen due to past reporting verb “stated”).

Use of Reported Speech in Different Legal Contexts:

1. Witness Testimonies & Affidavits. The witness said, “I saw the suspect.” → The witness stated that he had seen the suspect.
2. Legal Judgments & Case Law. The judge held, “The agreement has been breached.” → The judge held that the agreement had been breached.
3. Contractual Clauses & Agreements. Contracts usually avoid reported speech but sometimes reference past negotiations or prior statements. The parties agreed, “Payments will be made monthly.” → The parties agreed that payments would be made monthly.

4.2. Shifting tenses correctly in reported statements and questions

Reporting Questions Correctly:

• Yes/No Questions → Use ‘if’ or ‘whether’ The lawyer asked, “Did you sign the contract?” → The lawyer asked if he had signed the contract.
• Wh- Questions → Maintain Proper Tense Shifts The judge asked, “When did the contract expire?” → The judge asked when the contract had expired.

4.3. Quoting legal precedents and witness testimonies accurately

Case Law Citations:

When summarizing legal precedents, past tense is used for rulings, but present is used for ongoing legal principles.

Example: The court held that a landlord must provide habitable living conditions. (Held = past ruling, must provide = current obligation).

Witness Testimonies:

Witness statements follow a strict sequence of tenses to avoid ambiguity.

Example: Direct: The witness said, “I have never seen the defendant before.” Reported: The witness said that he had never seen the defendant before.

4.4. Common mistakes and how to avoid them

• The lawyer argued that the contract is invalid. The lawyer argued that the contract was invalid. Reporting verb in the past → shift tense.

• The witness said that the defendant has stolen the car. The witness said that the defendant had stolen the car. “Has stolen” (Present Perfect) must shift to “Had stolen” (Past Perfect).

• The judge ruled that the agreement will be enforced. The judge ruled that the agreement would be enforced. “Will” shifts to “would” in reported speech.

• The court said that the tenant may terminate the lease. The court said that the tenant could terminate the lease. “May” shifts to “could” in reported speech.

5. Conclusions & Key Takeaways (висновки та поради за темою заходу)

“The law is not just about words; it is about the power of words to shape lives. In every case, in every decision, the precision of language can unlock justice or close the door to it.”

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