Promoting Fair Labour Practices
The Civil Rights Act forbids businesses to discriminate ____ women and minorities in their hiring practices. Businesses also cannot discriminate ____ employees who are eligible ____ a promotion or ____ a pay increase. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission was created ____ the federal government to take action ____ businesses that are accused ____ discrimination.
§ What is the purpose of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission?
Reading for understanding.
& Learning Objectives
After studying this text, you will be able to
· name six areas of Law related to business,
· state three options of a breach of contract,
· distinguish among real, personal, and intellectual property.
Business-Related Laws
Law can be classified as either public or private. Private law concerns itself with relationship between individuals, between an individual and a business or between two businesses. Public law concerns itself with the relationship between the government and individual citizens.
Torts
A tort is a non-criminal act (other than breach of contract) that results in injury to person or property. The victim of a tort is legally entitled to some form of compensation. Tort law covers intentional torts, negligence, and strict liability.
An intentional tort is a wilful act that results in injury. Intent does not mean the intent to cause harm; it is the intent to commit a specific physical act. The most common intentional torts include assault, battery, and defamation (if in writing or on television, it is libel; if spoken, it is slander). Negligence is a failure to observe a reasonable standard of care in order to protect others from unreasonable risk or injury. The tort of strict liability focuses on liability in cases even when the defendant has used reasonable care and has committed no wrong-doing. If a defendant engages in an inherently dangerous activity, such as blasting for construction purposes, etc., there is a high risk of harm no matter how much care is used, and the defendant is strictly liable. In strict liability, then, there is liability without fault.
Product-Liability Law
A product-liability case is one in which a manufacturer is held liable for injuries caused by a defective product. Product-liability law developed from the tort law and holds companies responsible for their wares on the grounds of negligence, strict liability, and warranty. A guarantee made from a product is a warranty. It may be a written (or spoken) promise made by the company about the product, or not written but created by operation of law when a seller enters into a contract.
Under strict product liability, a company may be held responsible for a defective product even if reasonable care was used in the product's manufacture and sale.
Contracts
Broadly defined, a contract is an exchange of promises enforceable by law. Most valid contracts are adhered by both parties. But when there is a breach of contract, three options are available to the damaged party. The first option, discharge, frees one party from fulfilling a contractual obligation when the other party violates the contract. The second option, damages, allows the injured party to sue for damages resulting from the other party's failure to live up to the contract's terms. The last option, specific performance, permits the injured party to demand performance, that is, fulfilment of the contract's terms.
Agency
Agency exists when one party (the principal) authorises another party (the agent) to act on his or her behalf. For example, a person who requests his or her stockbroker to buy stock is creating an agency relationship (empowering the stockbroker to act as an agent). When such authorisation is in written form, the document is known as a power of attorney. Agency is important in business because it permits the delegation of the authority to enter into a contract. The principal, however, is liable for any contracts made by an agent, so long as the agent is within the scope of his or her authority.
Property Transactions
Property transaction is the relationship between a person having rights with respect to any tangible or intangible object and all other persons. Real property is land and anything more or less permanently attached to it, whereas personal property is anything that is not real property. Personal property may be tangible (e.g., cars and jewellery) or intangible (e.g., bank accounts, insurance policies). Some intangible property is known as intellectual property. This includes trademarks, patents, trade secrets, and copyrights.
Deeds are legal documents that transfer ownership of real property. Temporary transfer of interest in property is accomplished with a lease. The owner of the property, the landlord, grants a tenant the right to occupy the property for a specific time period and for a rental fee.
The transfer of personal property is technically a transfer of title (ownership of the property). Normally, title passes from seller to buyer when the buyer's money is accepted and the vendor hands over the goods. But when property is bought cash on delivery (COD), title is not transferred until the buyer accepts the merchandise and pays for it. With instalment purchases, title typically passes when the purchaser takes possession of the property.
Bankruptcy
The legal procedure by which a person or business that is unable to meet financial obligations is relieved of debt by having the court divide the assets among the creditors is called bankruptcy. Some firms emerge from bankruptcy as leaner, healthier companies.
@ Key Terms
| agency | intentional tort | private law | strict liability |
| bankruptcy | lease | product-liability law | title |
| breach of contract | negligence | property | tort |
| deed | personal property | public law | warranty |
| intellectual property | power of attorney | real property |
Review Questions
1.What is the difference between private law and public law?
2.What is the difference between negligence and intentional torts?
3.Define the concept of strict product liability.
4.Why is agency important in business?
5.What is bankruptcy?
CDTrue-False Questions
| TRUE FALSE | Title is transferred as soon as the buyer accepts the goods. | |
| TRUE FALSE | As a principal, your responsibility for the actions of your agent is limited if the agent does something illegal. | |
| TRUE FALSE | A contract is an exchange of promises enforceable by law. |
4 Key Terms Exercise
Match the words with their definitions
| 1. | agency | a) | written authorisation for one party to act as an agent on behalf of another party |
| 2. | breach of contract | b) | wilful injury for which an injured person is entitled to compensation |
| 3. | contract | c) | rights held regarding any tangible or intangible object |
| 4. | intentional tort | d) | non-criminal act that results in injury to person or property |
| 5. | lease | e) | legal ownership of property |
| 6. | negligence | f) | legal agreement between the owner of equipment or an asset and the individual or business for using the equipment or asset |
| 7. | power of attorney | g) | law that holds a manufacturer liable for injuries caused by a defective product |
| 8. | private law | h) | law that concerns itself with the relationship between the government and individual citizens |
| 9. | product-liability law | i) | law that concerns itself with relationship between individuals, between an individual and a business or between two businesses |
| 10. | property | j) | guarantee or promise of manufacturer |
| 11. | public law | k) | failure to observe a reasonable standard of care in a specific situation |
| 12. | strict liability | l) | failure to live up to the terms of a contract, with no legal excuse |
| 13. | title | m) | exchange of promises enforceable by law |
| 14. | tort | n) | concept of liability even in cases where the defendant has used reasonable care |
| 15. | warranty | o) | business relationship that exists when one party authorises another party to act on his/her behalf |
Multiple Choice Question
If your roommate pours a soft drink on your stereo because "you were playing it too loud" and then tells your best friend the spill was done on purpose, a _____ has been committed.
a.public law violation b.intentional tort c.tort d.white-collar crime
JIt's Interesting to Know
This Is a Law
Did you know that it is illegal to fish for whales on Sunday in Ohio or to put pennies in your ear in Hawaii? Over the course of the nation’s history, thousands of odd laws like these have been passed. Some have been repealed. Many are still in effect. The following are some unusual laws from around the US.
J Farmers in North Carolina may not use elephants to plough their fields.
J It is illegal to lasso fish in Knoxville, Tennessee.
J In Florida a person may not sleep under a hair dryer.
J Residents of Amarillo, Texas, cannot take a bath on the main street during business hours.
J A person may not tie an alligator to a fire hydrant in Detroit, Michigan.
| LESSON 13 | The Law | ||
| 1. | take out | получать (документы) | |
| 2. | injunction | судебный запрет | |
| 3. | legal | юридический, законный | |
| 4. | within the framework of | в пределах чего-либо | |
| 5. | comply with | подчиняться | |
| 6. | wording | текст, формулировка | |
| 7. | regulations | правила, нормы, инструкции | |
| 8. | discriminate against | дискриминировать | |
| 9. | liable for | юридически ответственный | |
| 10. | incurring of debt | влезание в долг | |
| 11. | breach of contract | нарушение договора, контракта | |
| 12. | sue for | привлечь к суду за что-либо | |
| 13. | libel | клевета (письменная или через печать) | |
| 14. | subject | подвергать | |
| 15. | court | суд | |
| 16. | slander | клевета (в устной форме) | |
| 17. | legal claim | право требования | |
| 18. | legal action | судебный иск | |
| 19. | legal status | правовой статус | |
| 20. | interpret | толковать | |
| 21. | negligence | халатность | |
| 22. | faulty components | неисправный компонент, элемент | |
| 23. | compensation | компенсация | |
| 24. | registered trademark | зарегистрированный товарный знак | |
| 25. | registered patent | зарегистрированный патент | |
| 26. | consult | совещаться, обратиться за консультацией | |
| 27. | unfair dismissal | несправедливое увольнение | |
| 28. | safeguard against | охрана от чего-либо | |
| 29. | litigation | тяжба, судебный спор, процесс | |
| 30. | be on the rise | повышаться, находиться в состоянии подъема | |
| 31. | court ruling | решение суда, постановление суда | |
| 32. | be obliged | долженствовать | |
| 33. | trade agreement | торговое соглашение | |
| 34. | tackle | попытка найти решение | |
| 35. | headband | лента, узкая повязка на голову | |
| 36. | sneakers | теннисные туфли, кеды | |
| 37. | pay increase | увеличение заработной платы | |
| 38. | Equal Employment Opportunity Commission | Комиссия по вопросу равных возможностей занятости | |
| 39. | real property | недвижимость | Syn. real estate |
| 40. | personal property | движимое имущество, личное имущество | Syn. individual property |
| 41. | intellectual property | интеллектуальная собственность | |
| 42. | public law | публичное право | |
| 43. | private law | частное право | |
| 44. | concern oneself with | заниматься | |
| 45. | tort | деликт, гражданское правонарушение | |
| 46. | result in | приводить к, давать результаты | |
| 47. | injury to person | личный вред | |
| 48. | victim | потерпевший | |
| 49. | law of torts | деликтное право | |
| 50. | strict liability | строгая ответственность | |
| 51. | willful act | умышленное действие | |
| 52. | assault | словесное оскорбление или угроза физическим насилием | |
| 53. | battery | нанесение побоев, избиение | |
| 54. | defamation | диффамация, клевета | Syn. slander, calumny |
| 55. | focus on | обращать внимание, концентрироваться на чем-либо | |
| 56. | defendant | ответчик, обвиняемый | Syn. accused, prisoner at the bar |
| 57. | reasonable care | разумная степень осторожности | |
| 58. | calumny | клевета, ложное обвинение | |
| 59. | wrong-doing | причинение вреда, ущерба, противоправное поведение, проступок | |
| 60. | inherently dangerous activity | опасная по своей природе деятельность | |
| 61. | product liability law | закон об ответственности за качество | |
| 62. | be held liable | нести ответственность | |
| 63. | wares | товары, изделия | Syn. goods, commodity, article, merchandise, produce |
| 64. | on the ground of | на основании, по причине | |
| 65. | warranty | гарантия, поручительство | |
| 66. | by operation of law | в силу закона | |
| 67. | enter into a contract | вступать в договор | |
| 68. | broadly defined | получивший широкое определение | |
| 69. | valid contract | законный контракт | Syn. legal contract |
| 70. | adhere | придерживаться, соблюдать | |
| 71. | discharge | прекращение обязательств, освобождение от обязательств | |
| 72. | contractual obligation | договорное обязательство | |
| 73. | damages | возмещение убытков | |
| 74. | injured party | потерпевшая сторона | |
| 75. | sue foe damage | возбуждать иск о возмещении убытков | |
| 76. | live up to | действовать согласно (правилам) | Syn. act up to |
| 77. | contract terms | условия договора, контракта | |
| 78. | contract term | срок действия контракта | |
| 79. | agency | агентский договор | |
| 80. | principal | доверитель | |
| 81. | stockbroker | биржевой маклер | |
| 82. | agency relationship | агентские взаимоотношения | |
| 83. | empower | предоставлять право | |
| 84. | power of attorney | доверенность | |
| 85. | delegation of authority | передача прав и ответственности подчиненному | |
| 86. | enter into a contract | вступить в договор | |
| 87. | so long as | при условии, что, поскольку | |
| 88. | within the scope of | в рамках чего-либо | |
| 89. | with respect to | что касается | |
| 90. | tangible property | материальное имущество | |
| 91. | intangible property | имущество в правах | |
| 92. | deed | документ за печатью | |
| 93. | legal document | юридический документ | |
| 94. | landlord | собственник недвижимости | |
| 95. | tenant | арендатор, наниматель | |
| 96. | grant rights | давать права | |
| 97. | rental fee | арендная плата | |
| 98. | title | право на имущество, право собственности | |
| 99. | vendor | оптовая фирма, продавец | |
| 100. | hand over | поставлять, вручать (товар) | |
| 101. | COD cash on delivery | наложенный платеж, оплата в момент поставки товара | |
| 102. | installment buying | покупка в кредит | |
| 103. | take possession of | вступать во владение | |
| 104. | lean | бедный | Syn. poor |
| 105. | legal excuse | обстоятельство, освобождающее по закону от ответственности | |
| 106. | in effect | в действии | |
| 107. | soft drink | безалкогольный напиток | |
| 108. | spill | пролитая жидкость | |
| 109. | white-collar crime | беловоротничковое преступление | |
| 110. | repeal a law | отменить закон |
2. Вопросы для оценки качества освоения курса
1. Имя существительное. Единственное и множественное число.
2. Артикли и предлоги как показатели имени существительного. Употребление определенного и неопределенного артиклей.
3. Выражение падежных отношений с помощью предлогов и окончания –s.
4. Существительное в функции определения и его перевод на русский язык.
5. Имя прилагательное. Степени сравнения имен прилагательных.
6. Конструкция the more… the less.
7. Числительные. Количественные и порядковые числительные.
8. Личные местоимения.
9. Притяжательные местоимения.
10. Вопросительные местоимения.
11. Указательные местоимения.
12. Неопределенные и отрицательные местоимения.
13. Времена глагола группы Indefinite (Simple).
14. Спряжение глагола to be в Present Indefinite, Past Indefinite, Future Indefinite.
15. Повелительное наклонение и его отрицательная форма.
16. Порядок слов в английском предложении.
17. Утвердительная и отрицательная форма повествовательного предложения.
18. Вопросительное предложение.
19. Оборот there is/are.
20. Основные способы словообразования.
21. Present Indefinite Active
22. Past Indefinite Active
Литература
Основная:
1. Бонк Н.А. Учебник англ. Яз. В 2-х.-М.: Де Конт –ГИС, 1998. 637 с.
2. Куряева Р.И. Лексико-грамматическое пособие по английскому языку. Часть I. Английский язык для начинающих. – Казань, 2003. – 224 с.
3. Куряева Р.И. Лексико-грамматическое пособие по английскому языку. Часть II.Инфинитив и модальные глаголы. – Казань, 2003. –157с.
Дополнительная:
1. Куряева Р.И. Лексико-грамматическое пособие по английскому языку. Часть III.Словообразование и работа со словарем. Часть IV. Краткий грамматический справочник по английскому глаголу. – Казань, 2003. – 116 с.
2. Английский язык. Программа, метод. Указ. И контр. Задания для студ.- заочн. Высш. Уч. завед.(факультетов) неязыковых специальностей. – М., 1998. – 72 с.
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