📚 SQA Law Year 9: Key Legal Terminology Study Guide | SQA Year 9 法律：核心法律术语速记指南
Learning legal vocabulary is like building a toolbox – each term is a tool that helps you think, argue, and write like a lawyer. This guide covers essential words for Year 9 SQA Law, with simple memory tricks to make revision faster and more effective.
学习法律词汇就像打造一个工具箱——每个术语都是帮助你像律师一样思考、论证和写作的工具。本指南涵盖 SQA Year 9 法律的核心词汇，并附上简单的记忆技巧，让复习更高效。
1. Understanding Legal Words | 理解法律词汇
Legal language often uses ordinary words in special ways. For example, 'consideration' does not mean being thoughtful; it means something of value exchanged in a contract. Always check the context.
法律语言常常用普通词汇表达特殊含义。例如，“consideration”不是指考虑周全，而是指合同中交换的有价值的东西。一定要结合语境理解。
One common trap is confusing 'civil' and 'criminal' – deals with offences against society. Remember: criminal = crime, civil = citizens arguing.
一个常见陷阱是混淆“civil”和“criminal”——民法处理个人或组织之间的纠纷，而刑法处理危害社会的犯罪行为。记住：criminal 对应犯罪，civil 对应公民之间的争议。
The term 'liable' means legally responsible. If you are liable, you must pay compensation or face punishment. Think: 'lie-able' – you could be 'lying in court' if you are responsible, so you are liable.
术语“liable”指法律上负有责任。如果你有责任，就必须支付赔偿或面临惩罚。可以联想：li-able，如果你有责任，就可能得“赖在法庭上”。
Another key word is 'remedy' – not medicine, but a legal solution, such as damages or an injunction, ordered by a court to fix a wrong.
另一个关键词是“remedy”——不是药物，而是一种法律解决方案，比如法院下令的损害赔偿或禁令，用来纠正错误。
2. Basic Court Terms | 基本法庭术语
'Jurisdiction' means the official power to make legal decisions. A court only has jurisdiction over certain types of cases or geographic areas. Think: 'jury's diction' – the jury's word has power only in its area.
“Jurisdiction”指作出法律裁决的正式权力。法院只对特定类型或地域的案件拥有管辖权。联想：'jury's diction'——陪审团的话只能在它的区域内生效。
A 'plaintiff' (in Scotland often called 'pursuer') is the person who brings a case to court. The 'defendant' (in Scotland 'defender') is the person being sued or accused. Picture a tennis match: plaintiff serves, defendant returns.
“Plaintiff”（苏格兰常称为“pursuer”）是提起诉讼的人。“Defendant”（苏格兰为“defender”）是被起诉或被指控的人。想象一场网球赛：原告发球，被告回球。
'Verdict' is the decision of a jury or judge. In Scotland, there are three verdicts in criminal trials: guilty, not guilty, and not proven. 'Not proven' means the evidence is insufficient to convict, but the accused is not officially declared innocent.
“Verdict”是陪审团或法官的裁决。在苏格兰，刑事审判有三种裁决：有罪、无罪和证据不足。“Not proven”意味着证据不足以定罪，但被告不会正式被宣布无罪。
'Bail' ng is the temporary release of an accused person awaiting trial, sometimes with conditions or a security payment. Remember: bail = b(ail) you are 'out on bail', like bailing water out of a boat – you are temporarily out.
“Bail”是候审被告的有条件释放，有时需要缴纳保证金。记法：bail 像往外舀水——暂时被放出去。
3. Criminal Law Vocabulary | 刑法词汇
'Actus reus' means the guilty act – the physical action of committing a crime. 'Mens rea' means the guilty mind – ehind the act. Together they form the basis of most crimes: actus reus + mens rea = crime.
“Actus reus”指犯罪行为——犯罪的物理行动。“Mens rea”指犯罪意图——行为背后的故意或认知。两者构成大多数犯罪的基础：犯罪行为 + 犯罪意图 = 犯罪。
'Mens rea' is often described as 'a guilty mind'. Use the phrase 'men's area' – picture a suspicious man in a forbidden area, clearly having a guilty intention.
“Mens rea”常被描述为“犯罪心理”。用“men's area”记忆——想象一个可疑男子闯入禁区，明显怀有犯罪意图。
'Strict liability' r selling alcohol to minors. Think: strict liability = no excuse, you are strictly liable.
“严格责任”犯罪不需要犯罪意图；只要实施了行为就构成犯罪。例如超速或向未成年人售酒。记住：strict liability 就是没有任何借口，你被严格追责。
'Homicide' is the act of killing a human being. Murder requires intention to kill or cause serious harm, while culpable homicide (in Scotland) is a lesser offence without full intent, similar to manslaughter in England.
“Homicide”指杀人行为。谋杀要求有杀人或造成严重伤害的意图，而苏格兰的“culpable homicide”则是无完整意图的较轻罪行，类似于英格兰的过失杀人。
4. Civil Law Terms | 民法术语
'Negligence' is a failure to take reasonable care, causing harm to another person. To prove negligence, you need duty of care, breach of that duty, and damage caused. Picture a 'negligent' person neglecting a warning sign.
“Negligence”指未能尽到合理注意义务而导致他人损害。要证明过失，需要义务存在、违反义务和造成损害。想象一个“negligent”的人忽视警示牌。
'Tort' is a civil wrong that causes harm, leading to legal liability. Car accidents, defamation, and trespass are all torts. The word sounds like 'taught' – you should be taught not to commit a tort.
“Tort”是导致法律责任的民事侵权行为。交通事故、诽谤和非法侵入都属于侵权。发音似“taught”——你应该被教会不要侵权。
'Damages' is money awarded to a person as compensation for loss or injury. In Scotland, different heads of damage include 'solatium' for pain and suffering, and 'patrimonial loss' for financial loss. Think: damages repair the damage.
“Damages”是赔偿给受害者的金钱。在苏格兰，赔偿项目包括针对痛苦折磨的“solatium”和针对经济损失的“patrimonial loss”。记住：damages 用来修复 damage。
'Injunction' (in Scotland 'interdict') is a court order stopping someone from doing something or forcing them to act. For example, an interdict can stop a neighbour from building on your land. It 'interdicts' the action.
“Injunction”（苏格兰为“interdict”）是法院禁止某人为某种行为或强迫其作为的命令。例如，禁令可以阻止邻居在你的土地上建造。它就是“interdict”（阻断）该行为。
5. Roles in the Legal System | 法律体系中的角色
'Judge' presides over court proceedings and ensures fairness. In the Scottish sheriff court, the judge is called a 'sheriff'. A 'Justice of the Peace' handles minor cases. Memory: sheriff sounds like 'shire reeve' – an old official of the shire.
“Judge”主持法庭程序并确保公平。在苏格兰郡法院，法官被称为“sheriff”。治安法官处理轻微案件。记忆：sheriff 听起来像“shire reeve”——古代的郡执法官。
'Advocate' is a Scottish term for a barrister – a lawyer who presents cases in the higher courts. In Scotland, a solicitor usually instructs an advocate. 'Advocate' shares the root with 'advocacy' – speaking on behalf of someone.
“Advocate”是苏格兰对出庭律师的称呼——在高等法院出庭的律师。苏格兰通常由事务律师委托辩护律师。“Advocate”与“advocacy”同源——代表他人发言。
'Jury' is a group of citizens who decide the facts and reach a verdict. In Scotland, a criminal jury has 15 members, and a civil jury has 12. The number 15 is unique to Scotland – think of '15 men on a criminal case'.
“Jury”是决定事实并作出裁决的公民团体。苏格兰刑事陪审团有15人，民事陪审团12人。15人制是苏格兰特有——记住“刑事案件十五人”。
'Procurator Fiscal' is the public prosecutor in Scotland, responsible for investigating deaths and prosecuting crime. It is a unique title. Break it down: 'procurator' means one who procures justice, 'fiscal' relates to the public purse.
“Procurator Fiscal”是苏格兰的检察官，负责调查死亡案件和公诉犯罪。这是一个独特头衔。拆解：'procurator'指代行正义之人，'fiscal'与国库相关。
6. Legal Processes and Actions | 法律程序与行为
'Litigation' is the process of taking a case to court. A person who litigates is a 'litigant'. The word contains 'lit' – as in 'light a fire' – litigation ignites a legal battle.
“Litigation”是将案件提交法院的程序。提起诉讼的人称为“litigant”。这个词包含“lit”——如同点火，诉讼点燃法律战火。
'Appeal' is applying to a higher court to review a decision. Grounds for appeal include errors in law or unfairness. If you appeal, you are 'peeling' back the original decision, like peeling an apple, to see if it is sound.
“Appeal”是向上级法院申请复审判决。上诉理由包括法律错误或不公正。如上诉，你就像“peel”苹果一样，剥开原判决看看是否有问题。
'Arbitration' e an is an alternative to court where an independent arbitrator resolves disputes. It is often faster and confidential. Think: 'arbitrator' = 'our bit of a solution' made by a neutral person.
“Arbitration”是法院外的替代方式，由独立仲裁员解决争议，通常更快且保密。记忆：'arbitrator' = 'our bit of a solution'——由中立者给出我们的解决方案。
'Indictment' is a formal charge of a serious crime. In Scotland, an indictment is served after a preliminary hearing. The word sounds like 'in-dict-ment' – the state dictates the charges against you.
“Indictment”是严重犯罪的正式控告书。在苏格兰，起诉书在预审后送达。发音像“in-dict-ment”——国家对你下达控告。
7. Key Latin Phrases | 关键拉丁语短语
Latin phrases are common in law. 'Stare decisis' means 'to stand by things decided', meaning courts should follow precedent. Imagine a star decision that stays fixed.
法律中拉丁语常见。“Stare decisis”意为“遵循已决之事”，即法院应遵循先例。想象一个恒定的星星决定，保持不变。
'Habeas corpus' translates to 'you shall have the body', a writ requiring a person to be brought before a court, protecting against unlawful detention. 'Habeas corpus' sounds like 'have a corpse' – but it protects the living body.
“Habeas corpus”译为“你应该将此人的身体带至法庭”，是防止非法拘禁的人身保护令。发音像“have a corpse”，但它保护的是活人的身体。
'Obiter dicta' are remarks made by a judge that are not essential to the decision. 'Obiter' means 'by the way' – imagine an 'obituary note' that is just a side comment.
“Obiter dicta”是法官发表的非必要评论。“Obiter”意为“顺便说”。可以想象为讣告附注一样，只是附带意见。
'Ratio decidendi' on, decidendi = of deciding. It is the core principle you must remember for similar cases.
“Ratio decidendi”是判决的法律理由，具有约束力的部分。Ratio 是理由，decidendi 是决定的。这是你处理类似案件必须记住的核心原则。
8. Scottish Legal System Specifics | 苏格兰法律体系特色
Scotland has a mixed legal system, combining civil law (Roman law influence) and common law (case law). Key terms include 'delict' (similar to tort), 'sheriff court', and 'Court of Session'. Southern neighbour uses different vocabulary.
苏格兰拥有混合法律体系，结合了大陆法系（罗马法影响）和普通法系。关键术语包括“delict”（类似侵权），“sheriff court”和“Court of Session”。南部邻居使用不同词汇。
'Delict' is the Scottish term for a civil wrong, roughly equivalent to tort in England. Think: 'delict' = 'de-lict' – a licking (punishment) you get for the wrong act.
“Delict”是苏格兰对民事侵权行为的称呼，大致对应英格兰的 tort。记法：'delict' = 'de-lict'——因错误行为挨一顿“舔”（惩罚）。
In Scottish criminal procedure, 'solemn' proceedings involve a jury, while 'summary' proceedings are before a sheriff or magistrate alone. 'Solemn' sounds serious and requires a jury; 'summary' is quicker and simpler.
在苏格兰刑事诉讼中，“solemn”程序有陪审团参与，而“summary”程序只由治安法官或独任法官审理。“Solemn”听起来庄重，需要陪审团；“summary”则更快速简单。
The age of criminal responsibility in Scotland is 12. Children under 12 cannot be prosecuted. A 'Children's Hearing' deals with care and justice issues for under-16s. This is a unique welfare-based system.
苏格兰的刑事责任年龄是12岁。12岁以下儿童不能被追究刑责。“Children's Hearing”处理16岁以下儿童的照顾和司法问题，这是一个独特的以福利为基础的制度。
9. Tips for Memorising Terminology | 记忆术语的技巧
Create flashcards with the term on one side, plain English definition on the other. Add a silly image or a rhyme. For 'hearsay', draw an ear saying something – hearsay is second-hand evidence.
制作闪卡，一面写术语，另一面写通俗解释。添加古怪的图片或押韵。对于“hearsay”，画一只正在说话的耳朵——传闻证据就是二手信息。
Use acronyms: for the elements of negligence, think 'DBC' – Duty, Breach, Causation. Or for the criminal verdicts: G, NG, NP – guilty, not guilty, not proven.
使用首字母缩写：对于过失要素，记住“DBC”——Duty（义务），Breach（违反），Causation（因果关系）。或者刑事裁决：G, NG, NP——guilty, not guilty, not proven。
Group terms by topic. Put all court roles together, all crime words together. Draw a mind map linking 'accused', 'prosecutor', 'jury', 'verdict'. Visual connections strengthen memory.
按主题分组术语。把所有法庭角色放一起，所有犯罪词汇放一起。绘制思维导图，连接“被告”、“检察官”、“陪审团”、“裁决”。视觉联系强化记忆。
Practise using the terms in sentences. Write a short paragraph about a fictional case using at least five new terms. Teaching the words to a friend doubles your retention.
练习在句中使用术语。用至少五个新词写一段虚构案件。把单词教给朋友，记忆效果加倍。
10. Common Exam Terms | 常见考试术语
Exams often ask you to 'define', 'describe', 'explain', or 'analyse'. 'Define' requires a precise meaning; 'describe' asks for characteristics; 'explain' demands reasons; 'analyse' needs a breakdown and discussion.
考试常要求“define”、“describe”、“explain”或“analyse”。“Define”需要准确释义；“describe”要求描述特征；“explain”需要给出原因；“analyse”则要求分解与讨论。
Command words like 'compare' mean show similarities and differences. Use 'however' and 'on the other hand' to show contrast. 'Evaluate' means make a judgment supported by evidence.
指令词如“compare”意味着展示相似与不同。使用“however”和“on the other hand”来体现对比。“Evaluate”表示作出有证据支持的判断。
When asked to 'outline' or 'summarise', give key points only, not excessive detail. Practise reducing a textbook paragraph into three bullet points using essential legal terminology.
当要求“outline”或“summarise”时，只给要点，不要过多细节。练习将课本段落缩减为三个要点，并使用核心法律术语。
Past paper analysis shows that SQA questions frequently test knowledge of Scottish legal distinctiveness. Always mention if a term or rule is Scotland-specific, such as 'not proven' verdict or 'delict'.
往年试卷分析表明，SQA 试题常考苏格兰法律的独特性。如遇苏格兰特有术语或规则，如“not proven”裁决或“delict”，务必提及。
Published by TutorHao | SQA Law Revision Series | aleveler.com
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