Casa ESL · C1 Advanced · Unit 9 of 20 · Step 1
Formal Register and Tone
Name
Date
Vocabulary
jurisdiction
nounThe official power to make legal decisions and judgements; the territory within which authority is exercised.
"The dispute falls outside the jurisdiction of the national courts."
ratify
verbTo give formal consent to a treaty, contract, or agreement, making it officially valid.
"All member states must ratify the treaty before it enters into force."
sanction
nounA threatened penalty for disobeying a law or rule; official permission or approval.
"Economic sanctions were imposed in response to the human rights violations."
sovereignty
nounSupreme power or authority, especially of a state to govern itself.
"The intervention was criticised as a violation of national sovereignty."
adjudicate
verbTo make a formal judgement or decision about a problem or disputed matter.
"The International Court of Justice was asked to adjudicate the territorial dispute."
incumbent
adjectiveNecessary for someone as a duty or responsibility.
"It is incumbent upon all parties to act in good faith."
precedent
nounAn earlier event or action that is regarded as an example or guide for subsequent situations.
"The ruling set a significant precedent for future cases."
multilateral
adjectiveInvolving three or more parties, especially the governments of different countries.
"Multilateral negotiations are essential for addressing global challenges."
Grammar Focus
Formal register and tone
Formal register in English is characterised by specific linguistic features: formal fixed expressions ('It is incumbent upon', 'With due regard to', 'In accordance with'), impersonal constructions ('It should be noted that', 'One must consider'), Latinate vocabulary over Anglo-Saxon equivalents ('commence' vs 'start', 'endeavour' vs 'try'), avoidance of contractions and phrasal verbs, and complex sentence structures. Register must be matched to audience and purpose — legal, diplomatic, and academic texts demand the highest levels of formality.
It is incumbent upon all member states to comply with the provisions of the charter.
With due regard to the sovereignty of the parties involved, the court issued its advisory opinion.
In accordance with established precedent, the tribunal ruled in favour of the claimant.
It should be noted that the agreement does not preclude further negotiations.
Exercises
Exercise 1
Complete each formal sentence with the appropriate expression.
1. It is upon the signatory states to fulfil their obligations under the treaty.
2. With regard to the rights of the accused, the court proceeded with the hearing.
3. In with international law, the use of force must be proportionate.
4. The decision was taken the recommendation of the advisory panel.
5. It should be that these provisions apply only to signatory states.
Exercise 2
Match each informal expression with its formal equivalent.
Reading
The Architecture of International Order
International law, the body of rules and principles governing relations between sovereign states, rests upon a delicate balance between national interests and collective responsibility. It is incumbent upon all nations, regardless of their power or influence, to abide by the treaties they have ratified and the customary norms that have evolved over centuries. With due regard to the principle of sovereignty, international institutions such as the United Nations endeavour to facilitate the peaceful resolution of disputes. In accordance with the Charter, the Security Council may authorise sanctions or, in extreme cases, the use of force to maintain international peace. However, the effectiveness of these mechanisms has frequently been called into question. It should be noted that the international legal order lacks the enforcement capacity of domestic legal systems; compliance is, to a significant extent, voluntary. Pursuant to the principle of good faith, states are expected to honour their commitments, yet violations occur with troubling regularity. The challenge for the twenty-first century is to strengthen these institutions without undermining the sovereignty that states regard as fundamental to their identity and legitimacy.
1. What fundamental limitation of international law does the passage identify?
2. What challenge does the passage identify for the twenty-first century?
Speaking
Discuss these questions with a partner or your teacher.
Writing
Write a formal letter (6–8 sentences) from one head of state to another, proposing cooperation on a shared challenge (e.g. climate, security, trade). Use formal register throughout, including at least four formal fixed expressions.
Example: Your Excellency, I write with due regard to the shared challenges our nations face in the domain of climate change. It is incumbent upon both our governments to take decisive action in accordance with the commitments made at the most recent summit. I would therefore propose that we commence multilateral negotiations with a view to establishing a joint framework for emissions reduction. It should be noted that such cooperation would set a significant precedent for the region.
Answer Key — For Teacher Use
Exercise 1
1. incumbent · 2. due · 3. accordance · 4. pursuant to · 5. noted
Exercise 2
1. start → commence · 2. try → endeavour · 3. help → facilitate · 4. get → obtain · 5. about / to do with → pertaining to / with regard to
Reading Comprehension
1. The international legal order lacks the enforcement capacity of domestic legal systems, meaning compliance is largely voluntary. · 2. Strengthening international institutions without undermining the sovereignty that states regard as fundamental to their identity and legitimacy.