📚 Year 9 WJEC Law: Vocabulary & Terminology Quick-Memorisation Guide | 九年级 WJEC 法律：词汇术语速记指南
Mastering legal vocabulary in Year 9 lays the foundation for success in WJEC Law. This guide presents key terms with simple definitions and memory tricks, helping you quickly retain the language of the courtroom, Parliament, and everyday legal life. Each term is paired with a memorable tip—because law is not just about rules, it is about the words that give those rules power.
掌握九年级的法律词汇是为 WJEC 法律学习打下成功基础的关键。本指南用简单的定义和记忆技巧呈现关键术语，帮助你迅速记住法庭、议会和日常法律生活中的语言。每个术语都搭配一个易记的小诀窍——因为法律不仅仅是规则，更是赋予这些规则力量的词汇。
1. Law and Legal System | 法律与法律体系
The term 'law' refers to a system of rules created and enforced by social or governmental institutions to regulate behaviour. In WJEC Year 9, you will first encounter the distinction between civil and criminal law. A quick memory aid: law sounds like 'order'; without law, there is disorder.
“法律”一词指的是由社会或政府机构制定并强制执行的规则体系，用以规范行为。在 WJEC 九年级，你首先会接触到民法与刑法的区别。一个快速记忆法是：law 听起来像“牢”——没有法律，社会就会乱成一团，需要“牢”固的秩序。
Understanding the legal system means knowing how courts are structured. In England and Wales, the court hierarchy moves from Magistrates' Court to Crown Court, then to appellate courts. Visualise this as a staircase: each step represents a higher authority, and you climb up when you appeal.
理解法律体系意味着了解法院的层级结构。在英格兰和威尔士，法院层级从治安法院到皇家法院，再到上诉法院。可以想象成一个楼梯：每一步都代表更高的权威，当你上诉时，就像登上更高的台阶。
2. Civil Law vs Criminal Law | 民法与刑法
Civil law deals with disputes between individuals or organisations, where the remedy is usually compensation. The claimant sues the defendant. An easy mnemonic: Civil = Compensation, Claimant. Think of someone claiming compensation for a broken contract.
民法处理个人或组织之间的纠纷，救济方式通常是赔偿。原告起诉被告。一个简单的记忆法：Civil（民法）与 Compensation（赔偿）、Claimant（原告）都以 C 开头。想象有人因合同违约而索要赔偿。
Criminal law involves actions that harm society, such as theft or assault. The state prosecutes a defendant, and punishments include imprisonment. To recall this, connect Criminal with Crime and Crown—the Crown prosecutes. The word 'criminal' sounds like 'crime-inal', which reminds you it's about crime.
刑法涉及危害社会的行为，如盗窃或袭击。国家起诉被告，惩罚包括监禁。要记住这一点，可以把 Criminal（刑事）与 Crime（犯罪）和 Crown（王室）联系起来——王室代表国家进行起诉。“Criminal”听起来像“crime-inal”，提醒你这是关于犯罪的。
3. Sources of Law: Statute and Precedent | 法律渊源：成文法与判例法
Statute law is made by Parliament, written down in Acts. Think of 'statute' as a statue: fixed, solid, and unchanging unless Parliament amends it. Example: The Theft Act 1968 is a statute defining theft.
成文法由议会制定，以法案形式书面呈现。可以把“statute”（成文法）想象成一尊雕像（statue）：固定、坚实，除非议会修改，否则不会改变。例如：《1968年盗窃罪法》就是一部定义盗窃罪的成文法。
Common law, or case law, is developed by judges through decisions in courts. This is based on precedent—earlier rulings that bind later cases. The key term is stare decisis, Latin for 'stand by things decided'. Memorise it by thinking: judges always 'stare' at past decisions to decide new ones.
普通法或判例法是由法官通过法院判决发展而来的。它基于先例——对后来案件具有约束力的早期裁决。关键术语是 stare decisis，拉丁语意为“遵循已决定之事”。可以这样记忆：法官总是“stare”（盯着）过去的判决来裁决新案件。
4. Key Court Personnel | 关键法院人员
A judge d robe, which symbolises authority. Remember: judge = justice, the person who delivers it.
法官主持法庭，解释法律，并在某些案件中做出判决。在皇家法院，法官戴假发、穿法袍，象征着权威。记忆法：judge（法官）就是 justice（正义）的化身。
A magistrate is a volunteer who hears cases in the Magistrates' Court without a jury. They deal with summary offences. Picture a magistrate as a 'wise magistrate friend' who handles everyday problems locally.
治安法官是志愿人员，在没有陪审团的治安法院审理案件。他们处理简易罪行。可以把治安法官想象成“地方上的一位智慧朋友”，处理日常琐事。
Barristers and solicitors: barristers mainly represent clients in higher courts, while solicitors give legal advice and handle paperwork. Think of 'barrister' being at the 'bar' of a court, literally standing before the bar to speak.
出庭律师和事务律师：出庭律师主要在高等法院代表客户出庭，事务律师提供法律咨询并处理文书工作。记住“barrister”里的“bar”（法庭上的栏杆），他们就在栏杆前发言。
5. Roles in a Trial | 审判中的角色
The prosecution brings a criminal case on behalf of the state. In a trial, its job is to prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt. The prefix 'pro-' means forward; the prosecution moves the case forward against the accused.
控方代表国家提起刑事诉讼。在审判中，其职责是排除合理怀疑地证明被告有罪。前缀“pro-”意为向前；控方推动案件向前，打击被告。
The defence represents the defendant, aiming to challenge the prosecution's evidence. Link 'defence' to 'fence'—a protective barrier. The defence lawyer builds a fence to shield the defendant from conviction.
辩方代表被告，旨在质疑控方的证据。把“defence”（辩护）与“fence”（围栏）联系起来——一道保护屏障。辩护律师筑起围栏，保护被告免于定罪。
The jury in a Crown Court consists of 12 members of the public who decide the verdict based on facts. The phrase 'jury of your peers' helps you remember they are ordinary citizens. In England, 'peers' does not mean nobles, but equals.
皇家法院的陪审团由 12 名公众组成，他们根据事实决定裁判结果。“由你的同侪组成的陪审团”这句话有助于记住他们是普通公民。在英格兰，“peers”不是指贵族，而是指地位平等的人。
6. Legal Concepts: Liability and Sanctions | 法律概念：责任与制裁
Liability means legal responsibility. A person can be criminally liable if they committed a crime, or civilly liable if they caused harm. Think of 'liable' as 'able to be tied' legally—tied to the consequences.
法律责任意味着法律上的责任。一个人如果犯罪，就负有刑事责任；如果造成损害，就可能负有民事责任。把“liable”（有责任的）想成“able to be tied”（能被绑住的）——法律上被绑在后果上。
Sanctions are penalties imposed for breaking the law. In criminal law, sanctions include fines, community orders, and imprisonment. In civil law, the primary remedy is damages. The word 'sanction' shares roots with 'sanc' (sacred), because breaking rules deserves a serious response.
制裁是因违法而施加的惩罚。在刑法中，制裁包括罚款、社区令和监禁。在民法中，主要救济是损害赔偿。“sanction”一词词根与“sanc”（神圣）相同，因为违反规则就该受到严肃对待。
7. Fundamental Criminal Terms: Actus Reus and Mens Rea | 基本刑法术语：犯罪行为与犯罪意图
Most crimes require two elements: actus reus (the guilty act) and mens rea (the guilty mind). For example, in theft, the actus reus is taking property, and the mens rea is intending to permanently deprive the owner. Say it out loud: 'actus' sounds like 'act'; 'mens' sounds like 'mental'.
大多数犯罪需要两个要素：actus reus（犯罪行为）和 mens rea（犯罪意图）。例如，盗窃罪中，犯罪行为是拿走财物，犯罪意图是永久剥夺所有者的意图。念出来就能记住：“actus”听起来像“act”（行为）；“mens”听起来像“mental”（精神的）。
A helpful rhyme: 'Actus reus I did the crime, mens rea I had the mind.' Whenever you analyse a crime, ask: what was the action, and what was the intention?
一句顺口溜：“Actus reus 我做了行为，mens rea 我有了意图。”每次分析犯罪时，问一问：行为是什么？意图是什么？
8. Civil Law: Tort and Contract | 民法：侵权与合同
A tort is a civil wrong that causes harm or loss, leading to legal liability. Common torts include negligence, defamation, and trespass. To remember 'tort', think of 'twisted'—it comes from Latin tortum meaning twisted or wrong. When you commit a tort, you twist the rules of reasonable behaviour.
侵权是导致损害或损失的民事错误，产生法律责任。常见的侵权行为包括过失、诽谤和非法侵入。要记住“tort”，可以联想到“twisted”（扭曲的）——它源自拉丁语 tortum，意为错误或扭曲。当你实施侵权时，你扭曲了合理行为的规则。
A contract is a legally binding agreement between parties. The essential elements are offer, acceptance, consideration, and intention to create legal relations. Create a story: 'I offer you my pen, you accept, we exchange something of value (consideration), and we both intend to be bound.'
合同是双方之间具有法律约束力的协议。基本要素是要约、承诺、对价和设立法律关系的意图。编个故事：“我向你要约我的笔，你承诺了，我们交换有价值的东西（对价），并且我们都有意受约束。”
9. Key Latin Phrases in Law | 法律中的关键拉丁语短语
Latin terms appear frequently in UK law. Habeas corpus means 'you shall have the body', requiring a person under arrest to be brought before a judge. Visualise someone grabbing a body and bringing it to court—'habeas' sounds like 'have us'.
英国法律中经常出现拉丁语术语。Habeas corpus 意为“你必须将人带到法庭”，要求将被逮捕的人带到法官面前。可以想象一个人抓着另一个人的身体带进法庭——“habeas”听起来像“have us”（抓住我们）。
Obiter dicta are remarks made by a judge in passing, not binding as precedent. Think of 'obiter' as 'oh, by the way'. Judges say something 'by the way' that may be persuasive later but not compulsory.
Obiter dicta（附带意见）是法官顺便发表的评论，不具有先例约束力。把“obiter”看作“oh, by the way”（哦，顺便说一下）。法官“顺便”说的话，以后可能有说服力，但不强制遵循。
10. Court Structures and Appeals | 法院结构与上诉
The UK Supreme Court is the highest appeal court. Appeals usually require permission, and they focus on points of law, not re-examining facts. Remember the hierarchy with the acronym M-C-C-A-S: Magistrates' → Crown → Court of Appeal → Supreme Court. 'My Cat Climbs A Staircase' helps recall it.
英国最高法院是最高上诉法院。上诉通常需要许可，并聚焦法律问题，而非重新审查事实。用首字母缩略词 M-C-C-A-S 记住层级：治安法院 → 皇家法院 → 上诉法院 → 最高法院。一句话帮助记忆：“我的猫爬楼梯”。
Judicial review is a process where judges review the lawfulness of decisions made by public bodies. It is not about the merits of the decision, but whether it was made lawfully. Think of it as a 'review' of whether a public body played by the rules.
司法审查是法官审查公共机构决策合法性的程序。它关注的不是决策本身的优劣，而是决策是否依法做出。把它看作是对公共机构是否遵守规则的“审查”。
11. Rights and Duties | 权利与义务
In law, a right is an entitlement protected by law, such as the right to a fair trial under the Human Rights Act 1998. When you hear 'right', think of something 'rightfully' yours that cannot be easily taken away.
在法律中，权利是受法律保护的一项应得权益，例如根据《1998年人权法》获得公平审判的权利。当你听到“right”，就想到“rightfully”（理应）属于你的、不可轻易剥夺的东西。
Duty means a legal obligation to do or refrain from doing something. For example, drivers have a duty of care to other road users. Link 'duty' to 'do it'—if you have a duty, you must do it.
义务是指法律规定的作为或不作为的责任。例如，司机对其他道路使用者负有注意义务。把“duty”和“do it”（做这件事）联系起来——如果你有义务，就必须去做。
12. Legal Terminology in the News | 新闻中的法律术语
Terms like injunction (a court order to stop something), verdict (the decision of a jury), and sentence (the punishment given by a judge) often appear in the media. To remember injunction, think of 'in junction'—it stops you at a junction and forces you to halt.
像 injunction（禁制令：法院要求停止某行为的命令）、verdict（裁决：陪审团的决定）和 sentence（判刑：法官给出的惩罚）等术语经常出现在媒体中。要记住 injunction，可以想象“in junction”（在交叉路口）——它让你在路口停下，强制你停住。
Bail is the temporary release of an accused awaiting trial, sometimes with conditions. When someone is 'on bail', they are 'free as a bird' but still attached to the court by a string. If they break conditions, they are pulled back.
保释是被告在候审期间被暂时释放，有时附有条件。当某人“被保释”时，他们像鸟一样自由，但仍有一根绳子系在法院。如果违反条件，他们就会被拉回去。
Published by TutorHao | Law Revision Series | aleveler.com
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