Aims

1. General part, common to the three courses on legal terminology. In each language, the course aims at (1) acquiring a passive knowledge in general, enabling the student to understand a legal text or statement in that language and to acquire an initial active knowledge; (2) specifically : (a) acquiring basic legal knowledge in, essentially, all legal fields; (b) learning a translation method, evaluating the extent to which legal terms in a foreign language can be expressed using their French counterparts, enabling the reader who has no knowledge of the original text to grasp the arguments without confusion; (c) an introduction to the professional use of specialised reference books, especially legal dictionaries.

Main themes

Knowledge of legal terminology is developed by studying legal texts, chosen in the largest possible sense, for the richness of their vocabulary and their legal construction. The following is thus examined, analysed and commented on during the magistrates' course: legal texts; contracts; notarial deeds; pleadings of lawyers; jurisprudence. An active knowledge of Dutch is developed by :
1) teaching certain specific subjects (e.g. common principles of positive law, formal sources of that law, the role of jurisprudence, judicial organisation). These subjects are clearly indicated and do not exceed 50 pages.
2) discussing with the students the texts that have been used and commented on during the course.
3) requiring individual efforts from the students, consisting in the preparation of texts that are reviewed during the course, or in the drafting of Dutch texts related to texts that have already been translated and commented on during the course.

In order to encourage the students to make individual efforts, it should be noted that they are warned that these efforts are partly taken into account in the final grade of the exam.

Other information (prerequisite, evaluation (assessment methods), course materials recommended readings, ...)

Students should have a satisfactory knowledge of everyday Dutch. The exam in principle is a written exam. Students have their course notes and additional texts at their disposal. Students may make an appointment with their teacher in order to receive additional explanations.