ALE Week 6 – Cohesion and Coherence – Family Law – The UK Today

Part I – Academic English: Cohesion and Coherence

1. Sentence vs Clause

  • Clause = Subject + Predicate / Verb (+ Object)

    • Independent clause: John is in Antwerp.

    • Dependent + independent: Although it was cold, she went swimming.

  • Understanding clause relationships builds cohesion within sentences.

2. Relative Pronouns

  • Used to link ideas between clauses and add information about nouns.

Key Forms and Examples:

  • Who / Whom: People

    • He’s got a new girlfriend who works in a supermarket.

    • The man who(m) she marries must be rich.

    • To whom it may concern. (formal)

  • Whose: Possession

    • I saw a man whose hair came down to his waist.

  • Which / That: Things or ideas

    • Can you water the flowers which/that are on the table?

    • He married at the age of 60, which surprised everybody.

  • Defining vs Non-defining Clauses:

    • My brother who is a police officer lives in New York. (defining)

    • My brother, who is a police officer, lives in New York. (non-defining)

Notes:

  • “Whom” = formal; “who” often used instead in spoken English.

  • In defining clauses, object pronouns can be omitted (The man she married…).

  • Quantifying determiners possible in non-defining clauses:

    • Some of whom / none of which / of whose.

3. Conjunctions

Types:

  • Coordinating: connect equal elements
    (and, but, or, so, for, yet, nor)

  • Subordinating: connect dependent + independent clauses
    (if, because, after, since, although, when, while, unless, until)

  • Correlative: paired conjunctions
    (both…and / either…or / neither…nor / not only…but also)

Use:

  • Some linking words connect within sentences (and, but, because).

  • Others connect between sentences (furthermore, however, nevertheless).

  • Choice depends on tone and formality.

4. Common Errors and Clarifications

Confusing Words

Correct Use

Example

Also / Already

Do not start sentences with them

The language, too, is a big barrier.

Hence / Thus

Formal – shows logical result

Hence, a new set of policy actions will be required.

Beside / Besides

Beside = next to; Besides = in addition to

She has many good qualities besides being kind.

Causal connectives

So = informal; prefer therefore, consequently, hence in writing

Tax revenues were low. Consequently, a deficit arose.

Though / Although / Even though

All introduce a clause; even though = stronger

Although it rained, we enjoyed the holiday.

Whereas / While / But / However

Express contrast

Whereas Conservatives voted in favour, Labour opposed. / However starts a new sentence.

For / Since

For + duration; Since + starting point (perfect tenses)

They’ve been here since Friday.

Part II – Legal English: Family Law

1. Key Vocabulary

  • Family relations & legal concepts:
    Civil unions, spousal abuse, surrogacy, child abduction, custody, annulment, alimony, juvenile court, legal heirs, community of goods, consanguinity, decree of nullity.

  • Terms related to property and inheritance:
    Testator, legatee, inheritance, disinherit, in-laws, support, allowance, maintenance, deductible, reportable expenses.

2. Focus Topics

a. Alimony

  • Discussion-based section on:

    • Definition and purpose (financial support after divorce).

    • Determining factors: income, standard of living, children, duration of marriage.

    • Tax implications (deductible or reportable depending on jurisdiction).

    • Typical clauses in legal writing (“stipulated allowance,” “retroactive payments”).

b. Harassment

  • Definition: For behaviour to count as harassment, it must be:

    1. Unwelcome

    2. Repeated

    3. Unwanted

  • Legal Source: U.S. EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission)

    • Sexual harassment includes unwelcome advances, requests for favours, or verbal/physical conduct of a sexual nature.

    • Becomes illegal when it:

      • Creates a hostile or offensive work environment.

      • Affects employment conditions (e.g., firing, demotion).

  • Types:

    • Hostile work environment (Threats) – e.g., “Do this or you’ll be fired.”

    • Quid pro quo (Rewards) – e.g., job benefits offered in exchange for compliance.

  • Class Discussion Points:

    • Is the EEOC definition sufficient?

    • Should visual harassment be included?

    • How to balance objectivity with sensitivity?

c. Case Study: Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission (2018)

  • Facts:

    • Same-sex couple (Craig & Mullins) denied a wedding cake by baker Phillips.

    • Colorado Civil Rights Commission ruled against the baker.

    • Phillips appealed, claiming violation of First Amendment (free speech + religion).

  • Supreme Court (Justice Kennedy):

    • Held that Colorado showed hostility toward religion, violating religious neutrality.

    • Decision: in favour of Masterpiece Cakeshop.

  • Arguments:

    1. Context: Gay marriage not legal in Colorado in 2012.

    2. Hostility: Commission treated Phillips’ religious beliefs unfairly.

    3. Consistency: Other bakers refusing anti-gay messages were treated differently.

    4. Principle: The state cannot prescribe what is or isn’t offensive.

  • Cultural Impact:

    • Sparked debate on religion vs. anti-discrimination laws.

    • Used in discussions on free speech and equality.

  • Class Questions:

    • Was the Court neutral or biased?

    • Does this denial fall under the baker’s First Amendment rights?

Part III – UK Society: The UK Today – Post-Brexit Realities

1. Overview

  • UK facing multiple shocks:

    • Brexit (loss of single market/customs union)

    • COVID-19 pandemic

    • Energy price crisis (Russia-Ukraine conflict)

    • Cost-of-living inflation

  • Economic effects:

    • Lower productivity, weaker trade, smaller businesses struggling.

    • Threats to research cooperation and higher education.

2. Political and Regional Developments

a. Northern Ireland

  • Windsor Framework: Simplified goods movement; essential for devolved government.

  • 2024: Michelle O’Neill (Sinn Féin) becomes First Minister.

  • Sinn Féin supports eventual Irish reunification; framework valid until 2028.

b. 2024 General Election

  • Labour wins; Conservatives suffer historic defeat after 14 years.

  • Liberal Democrats and smaller parties gain ground.

  • Labour faces:

    • Tight fiscal space

    • Weak growth (CPI 3.8% in July 2025)

    • Strained public services and local finances

c. Scotland

  • Independence debate re-energised post-Brexit.

  • Supreme Court ruled Scotland cannot hold referendum without Westminster approval.

  • SNP weakened (Sturgeon resignation, poor 2024 result), but devolution and independence remain key public issues.

3. Structural Challenges

  • Economy: Weak productivity, chronic under-investment, slow planning.

  • Public Services:

    • Long NHS waiting lists.

    • Underfunded local governments and social care.

    • Housing shortages increase costs and homelessness.

  • Energy and Infrastructure: Climate targets depend on practical capacity (clean energy, manufacturing, life sciences).

4. Constitutional and Geopolitical Challenges

  • Keep the Union stable as devolved governments diverge.

  • Embed Windsor Framework in Northern Ireland.

  • Maintain stable, pragmatic EU relations (reduce friction, sustain trade).

  • Balance defence commitments and domestic investment.

5. Outlook

  • UK not collapsing but constrained:

    • Slower growth

    • Reduced fiscal flexibility

    • Trade difficulties

  • Institutions remain strong, but trust and efficiency must be rebuilt.

  • Focus needed on:

    • Reducing bureaucracy and border friction

    • Speeding up planning and energy projects

    • Strengthening internal Union cooperation