📚 OCR GCSE Law Vocabulary Quick Reference | OCR GCSE 法律词汇速记指南
Mastering legal terminology is the foundation of success in OCR GCSE Law. This guide provides a systematic walk through the essential vocabulary you will encounter across criminal law, civil law, the court system and key legal principles. Each term is presented in a clear, exam-focused way, with English definitions immediately followed by Chinese explanations to support bilingual learners. Use this as your daily revision companion to build confidence with legal language.
掌握法律术语是 OCR GCSE 法律考试成功的基础。本指南系统梳理了刑法、民法、法院体系以及核心法律原则中你会遇到的关键词汇。每个术语都以清晰、贴近考试的方式呈现，英文定义后紧跟中文解释，支持双语学习者。把它当作每日复习伙伴，帮你建立对法律语言的信心。
1. Core Criminal Law Vocabulary | 刑法核心词汇
Criminal law deals with offences against the state. The prosecution must prove the defendant's guilt beyond reasonable doubt. Key concepts include actus reus (the guilty act) and mens rea (the guilty mind). For most crimes, both must exist at the same time for liability to arise. Some offences are strict liability, requiring no mens rea.
刑法处理针对国家的犯罪。控方必须排除合理怀疑地证明被告有罪。关键概念包括actus reus（犯罪行为）和mens rea（犯罪意图）。对于大多数犯罪，两者必须同时存在才会产生责任。有些罪行属于严格责任，不需要犯罪意图。
| Term | 中文 | Definition |
| Actus reus | 犯罪行为 | The physical element of a crime; can be an act, omission or state of affairs. |
| Mens rea | 犯罪意图 | The mental element; includes intention, recklessness, negligence. |
| Strict liability | 严格责任 | Offences where no proof of mens rea is needed; e.g. health and safety breaches. |
2. Core Civil Law Vocabulary | 民法核心词汇
Civil law resolves disputes between individuals or organisations. The claimant sues the defendant, and the standard of proof is on the balance of probabilities. Tort law is a major area, with negligence being the most common tort. To establish negligence, a duty of care, breach of that duty, and resulting damage must be shown.
民法解决个人或组织之间的纠纷。原告起诉被告，证明标准是盖然性权衡。侵权法是主要领域，其中过失是最常见的侵权行为。要成立过失，必须证明存在注意义务、违反该义务，并造成了损害。
- Claimant – the person bringing a civil action (原告)
- Defendant – the person being sued (被告)
- Balance of probabilities – more likely than not; over 50% certainty (盖然性权衡)
- Breach of duty – falling below the standard of a reasonable person (违反义务)
- Causation – the link between breach and damage (因果关系)
3. Sources of Law | 法律渊源
English law comes from two main sources: parliament-made statutes (legislation) and judge-made common law. Statutes are supreme; courts interpret them. The doctrine of judicial precedent means lower courts must follow decisions of higher courts. A binding part of a decision is called ratio decidendi; other remarks are obiter dicta.
英国法律有两个主要渊源：议会制定的成文法（立法）和法官制定的普通法。成文法至上，法院对其进行解释。司法先例原则意味着下级法院必须遵循上级法院的判决。判决中有约束力的部分称为ratio decidendi（判决理由）；其他评论是obiter dicta（附带意见）。
Statute law (Acts of Parliament) > Common law (precedent)
4. Court Hierarchy and Roles | 法院层级与角色
Understanding the court structure is vital. Criminal cases start in the Magistrates' Court (summary offences) or Crown Court (indictable offences). Civil cases often begin in the County Court or High Court. Appeals move up to the Court of Appeal and finally the UK Supreme Court.
理解法院结构至关重要。刑事案件从治安法院（简易罪）或刑事法院（可公诉罪）开始。民事案件通常在郡法院或高等法院开始。上诉逐级向上至上诉法院，最终至英国最高法院。
| Court | 中文 | Jurisdiction |
| Magistrates' Court | 治安法院 | Summary criminal trials, some family matters |
| Crown Court | 刑事法院 | Trials on indictment, sentencing from magistrates |
| County Court | 郡法院 | Civil claims up to £100,000 |
| High Court | 高等法院 | Larger civil claims, judicial review |
5. Legal Personnel | 法律从业人员
Several professionals work within the justice system. Solicitors provide legal advice and prepare cases; barristers represent clients in court and have rights of audience. Judges oversee trials, decide on points of law, and pass sentence. In criminal trials, a jury of 12 people decides the verdict based on facts.
司法系统中有多种专业人员。事务律师提供法律咨询并准备案件；出庭律师在法庭上代表客户，享有出庭发言权。法官主持审判，决定法律问题并作出判决。在刑事审判中，由12人组成的陪审团根据事实作出裁决。
- Solicitor – first point of contact; may appear in lower courts (事务律师)
- Barrister – specialist advocate, often instructed by a solicitor (出庭律师)
- Magistrate – lay or legally qualified, handles summary justice (治安法官)
- Jury – body that delivers a verdict of guilty or not guilty (陪审团)
6. Trial Process Terms | 审判程序术语
The trial follows a structured sequence. Arraignment is where the defendant enters a plea. The prosecution presents its case first, calling witnesses for examination-in-chief, then the defence can cross-examine. After the prosecution case, the defence may submit there is no case to answer. If the trial continues, the defence presents its evidence, followed by closing speeches and the judge's summing up.
审判遵循结构化的程序。提讯是被告作出答辩的阶段。控方首先陈述案情，传唤证人进行主问，然后辩方可以交叉询问。控方举证结束后，辩方可以提出无辩可答。如果审判继续，辩方将出示证据，随后是结案陈词和法官的总结指示。
Burden of proof lies with the prosecution in criminal cases.
7. Sentencing and Remedies | 量刑与救济
In criminal law, after a guilty verdict, the judge passes a sentence. Options include custodial sentences (prison), community orders, fines and discharges. In civil law, the court awards a remedy, most commonly damages (financial compensation). Equitable remedies like specific performance or an injunction may be granted when money is inadequate.
在刑法中，有罪裁决后，法官作出判决。选择包括监禁刑（入狱）、社区令、罚金和释放。在民法中，法院授予救济，最常见的是损害赔偿（金钱补偿）。当金钱不足以弥补时，法院可能给予特定履行或禁制令等衡平法救济。
- Custodial sentence – immediate imprisonment (即时监禁)
- Suspended sentence – prison term not served unless re-offend (缓刑)
- Damages – money awarded to compensate loss (损害赔偿金)
- Injunction – court order to do or stop doing something (禁制令)
8. Key Legal Principles in Tort and Crime | 侵权与犯罪中的关键原则
Several principles underpin both criminal and civil liability. Causation links the defendant's act to the outcome. Novus actus interveniens is an intervening act that breaks the chain of causation. In negligence, the 'neighbour principle' from Donoghue v Stevenson established the duty of care. The 'thin skull rule' means the defendant must take the victim as they find them.
若干原则支撑着刑事和民事责任。因果关系将被告的行为与结果联系起来。新的介入行为指中断因果链条的介入事件。在过失中，来自 Donoghue v Stevenson 案的“邻人原则”确立了注意义务。“薄头骨规则”意味着被告必须接受受害人的原有状况。
Factual causation: 'but for' test – but for the defendant's actions, would the harm have occurred?
9. Human Rights and Legal Vocabulary | 人权与法律词汇
The Human Rights Act 1998 incorporated the European Convention on Human Rights into UK law. Key rights include the right to a fair trial (Article 6), the right to private and family life (Article 8), and freedom of expression (Article 10). Courts must interpret legislation compatibly with these rights, and can make a declaration of incompatibility if a statute conflicts.
1998年《人权法》将《欧洲人权公约》纳入了英国法律。关键权利包括公平审判权（第6条）、尊重私人和家庭生活的权利（第8条）和言论自由（第10条）。法院必须以符合这些权利的方式解释立法；如果成文法与之冲突，法院可以作出不相容声明。
- ECHR – European Convention on Human Rights (欧洲人权公约)
- Proportionality – a balancing exercise used to justify interference with rights (比例原则)
- Absolute right – e.g. freedom from torture; cannot be restricted (绝对权利)
- Qualified right – can be limited if lawful and necessary (有限制权利)
10. Exam-Focused Vocabulary Tips | 考试词汇技巧
To succeed in OCR GCSE Law, you must use precise terminology, not everyday language. For example, say 'the defendant owed a duty of care' rather than 'the defendant had to be careful'. Always define key terms in your answers. Practise writing paragraphs that integrate three or four terms naturally, showing the examiner you understand how they connect. Create flashcards with the English term on one side and the Chinese explanation plus an example on the other.
要在 OCR GCSE 法律中取得成功，你必须使用精准术语，而不是日常用语。例如，要说“被告负有注意义务”，而不是“被告必须小心”。在答案中务必定义关键术语。练习写段落，自然地融入三四个术语，向考官展示你理解它们之间的联系。制作一面是英文术语、另一面是中文解释加例子的闪卡。
Revise actively: try to explain the meaning of ratio decidendi to a partner in both English and Chinese, then write a short paragraph applying it to a scenario. Remember, examiners reward accurate use of vocabulary, not just describing the law.
积极复习：尝试用中英文向同伴解释ratio decidendi的含义，然后写一段将其应用到情景中的文字。记住，考官奖励精准使用词汇，而不仅仅是描述法律。
Published by TutorHao | OCR GCSE Law Revision Series | aleveler.com
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