📚 Year 7 AQA Law: Summer Preparation and Bridging Course | Year 7 AQA 法律：暑期预习与衔接课程
Starting your journey into law at Year 7 is an exciting step. This summer bridging course is designed to give you a head start, introducing key concepts that will form the foundation of your legal studies. You’ll explore what law is, why it matters, and how the English legal system works in everyday life. By the end of this course, you’ll feel confident and curious, ready to engage with the fascinating world of rules, rights and responsibilities.
在七年级开始法律学习的旅程令人兴奋。这门暑期衔接课程旨在让你领先一步，介绍构成你法律学习基础的关键概念。你将探索什么是法律、它为何重要，以及英格兰法律体系如何在日常生活中运作。完成本课程后，你将感到自信并充满好奇，准备好进入规则、权利与责任的迷人世界。
1. What is Law? | 什么是法律？
Law is a set of rules created by a society to keep order, protect people and resolve disputes. Without law, there would be chaos, and individuals would have no clear way of knowing what behaviour is acceptable. Law is different from simple rules like those in a game; it carries enforceable consequences, such as fines or imprisonment, when it is broken.
法律是由社会制定的一套规则，用以维持秩序、保护人们并解决争端。没有法律，世界将陷入混乱，个人无从知晓哪些行为是可接受的。法律不同于游戏中的简单规则；一旦违反，它会带来可强制执行的后果，比如罚款或监禁。
In England and Wales, laws come from two main sources: statutes made by Parliament and common law developed by judges through court decisions. This dual system has evolved over centuries and continues to adapt to new situations, like online crime and digital privacy.
在英格兰和威尔士，法律有两个主要来源：由议会制定的成文法和由法官通过法院判决发展起来的普通法。这种双重体系历经数百年演变，并不断适应诸如网络犯罪和数字隐私等新情况。
2. Why Do We Need Law? | 我们为什么需要法律？
Imagine a football match without a referee and no agreed rules. Every player would argue, and the game could not continue fairly. Society works in a similar way: law provides the framework that allows people to live together safely. It sets boundaries for behaviour, protects our fundamental rights and offers a peaceful way to settle disagreements.
想象一场没有裁判也没有统一规则的足球比赛。每个球员都会争吵，比赛无法公平进行。社会的运作方式与此相似：法律提供了一个让人们能够安全共存的框架。它为行为设定边界，保护我们的基本权利，并提供和平解决分歧的途径。
Law also reflects a society’s values. For example, laws against discrimination show that equality is important. As values change, laws can also change – consider how laws on marriage, voting and environmental protection have evolved. Understanding why we need law helps you appreciate its role in shaping a just community.
法律也反映了一个社会的价值观。例如，反对歧视的法律表明平等的重要性。随着价值观的变化，法律也会改变——想想关于婚姻、选举权和环境保护的法律是如何演变的。理解我们为什么需要法律有助于你领会它在塑造公正社会中的作用。
3. Sources of Law in England and Wales | 英格兰和威尔士的法律渊源
The two primary sources of law are statute law and common law. Statute law, also called legislation, is created by Parliament. Acts of Parliament are written laws that cover all areas of life, from road traffic to education. Common law is made by judges when they decide cases, and these judicial decisions then guide future similar cases – this is known as the doctrine of precedent.
两个主要法律渊源是成文法和普通法。成文法，又称立法，由议会制定。议会法令是涵盖生活各个领域的成文法律，从道路交通到教育。普通法由法官在判案时确立，这些司法判决随后指导未来类似案件——这被称为先例原则。
In addition, the UK recognises European Union law (retained after Brexit in modified form) and international treaties. However, at the Year 7 level, focusing on statute and common law gives you a clear picture of how most rules are born. Understanding these sources helps you trace any law back to its origin.
此外，英国承认欧盟法律（脱欧后以修改后的形式保留）和国际条约。不过，对七年级而言，专注于成文法和普通法让你清晰了解大多数规则是如何诞生的。理解这些渊源有助于你追溯任何法律的起源。
4. The Court System | 法院体系
Courts are where legal disputes are resolved and justice is administered. In England and Wales, there is a hierarchy of courts that deal with different types of cases. The Magistrates’ Court handles less serious criminal cases and some civil matters, while the Crown Court deals with serious criminal offences such as robbery and murder.
法院是解决法律争议和执行司法的地方。在英格兰和威尔士，存在一个处理不同类型案件的法院层级体系。治安法院处理较轻的刑事案件和一些民事事务，而刑事法院处理诸如抢劫和谋杀等严重刑事犯罪。
For civil disputes – like arguments over contracts or personal injury – the County Court and the High Court are used. Above all these, the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court hear appeals on points of law. Knowing this structure helps you understand where a case begins and how it can travel up through the system if a party is unhappy with the decision.
对于民事争议——比如合同纠纷或人身伤害——由郡法院和高等法院处理。在所有这些之上，上诉法院和最高法院审理针对法律要点的上诉。了解这种结构有助于你理解一个案件从哪里开始，以及如果当事人对判决不满意，案件如何逐级向上移送。
5. The Role of the Police | 警察的角色
The police have a duty to keep the peace, protect the public and investigate crimes. They gather evidence, question suspects and, where necessary, make arrests. The police must follow strict rules, such as the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, to ensure that individuals’ rights are not violated during investigations.
警察负有维护治安、保护公众和调查犯罪的职责。他们收集证据、讯问嫌疑人，并在必要时进行逮捕。警察必须遵循严格的规则，比如《1984年警察与刑事证据法》，以确保在调查过程中不侵犯个人的权利。
Once the police have gathered enough evidence, they pass the file to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), which decides whether to charge a suspect and take the case to court. Understanding the police role shows you how the law moves from the street to the courtroom, always with safeguards for fairness.
一旦警察收集到足够的证据，他们将档案移交给皇家检察署（CPS），由它决定是否起诉嫌疑人并将案件提交法院。理解警察的角色让你看到法律如何从街头走向法庭，并且始终设有公平的保障措施。
6. Introduction to Criminal and Civil Law | 刑法与民法入门
Law is broadly divided into criminal law and civil law. Criminal law deals with behaviour that is considered harmful to society as a whole. The state prosecutes the accused, and if found guilty, the punishment could be a fine, community service or imprisonment. The standard of proof is ‘beyond reasonable doubt’.
法律大致分为刑法和民法。刑法处理被认为对整个社会有害的行为。国家起诉被指控者，如果被判有罪，惩罚可能是罚款、社区服务或监禁。证明标准是“排除合理怀疑”。
Civil law, on the other hand, settles disputes between individuals or organisations. Examples include disagreements over contracts, property or family matters. The losing party usually has to pay compensation or perform a specific action; they do not face prison. Here the standard of proof is the ‘balance of probabilities’, which is a lower threshold than in criminal trials.
另一方面，民法解决个人或组织之间的纠纷。例子包括合同、财产或家庭事务方面的分歧。败诉方通常必须支付赔偿金或履行特定行为；他们不会面临监禁。这里的证明标准是“可能性平衡”，这是比刑事审判更低的门槛。
7. The Jury System | 陪审团制度
Juries are a group of ordinary citizens randomly selected from the electoral register to hear evidence in Crown Court trials and decide the facts. In criminal cases, a jury of 12 people listens to both sides and then reaches a verdict – guilty or not guilty. This ensures that the community has a direct voice in the delivery of justice.
陪审团是一群从选民登记册中随机选出的普通公民，他们在刑事法院的审判中听取证据并裁定事实。在刑事案件中，由 12 人组成的陪审团听取双方陈述，然后作出裁决——有罪或无罪。这确保了社区在司法审判中拥有直接发言权。
Juries deliberate in secret and are not required to give reasons for their decision. The principle of jury independence is a cornerstone of the English legal system, although in recent years some complex fraud cases have been tried by a judge alone. Learning about juries helps you appreciate the democratic element of law.
陪审团秘密评议，并且无需解释其决定的理由。陪审团独立原则是英格兰法律体系的基石，尽管近年来一些复杂的欺诈案件已由法官单独审理。了解陪审团制度有助于你领会法律中的民主成分。
8. Fundamental Legal Rights | 基本法律权利
In the UK, individual rights are protected through various statutes and conventions. The Human Rights Act 1998 incorporates the rights set out in the European Convention on Human Rights into domestic law. These include the right to life, freedom from torture, the right to a fair trial and respect for private and family life.
在英国，个人权利通过各种法律和公约得到保护。《1998年人权法案》将《欧洲人权公约》所载的权利纳入国内法。这些权利包括生命权、免遭酷刑的自由、获得公正审判的权利以及尊重私人和家庭生活的权利。
However, most rights are not absolute; they can be limited to protect national security, public safety or the rights of others. For example, freedom of expression does not allow someone to spread hatred or violence. Understanding rights equips you to recognise when the law protects you and when you must balance your rights with responsibilities.
然而，大多数权利不是绝对的；为了保护国家安全、公共安全或他人的权利，它们可以受到限制。例如，表达自由不允许某人散布仇恨或暴力。理解权利让你能够认识到法律何时保护你，以及何时你必须在权利与责任之间取得平衡。
9. How Laws are Made: Parliament at Work | 法律如何制定：议会运作
Parliament is the supreme law-making body in the UK. A proposed new law is called a Bill. It must be debated and approved by both the House of Commons and the House of Lords before it can receive Royal Assent and become an Act of Parliament. This process ensures that multiple perspectives are considered and that the law is thoroughly examined.
议会是英国的最高立法机构。一项拟议的新法称为法案。它必须经过下议院和上议院的辩论和批准，然后才能获得御准并成为议会法令。这一过程确保多重观点得到考虑，法律得到全面审查。
There are different types of Bill – Government Bills, Private Members’ Bills and Public Bills – each addressing different needs. Even after an Act becomes law, its application can be clarified by judges in court. Learning about the legislative process reveals that law-making is both a political and a legal activity.
法案有不同类型——政府法案、普通议员法案和公共法案——每种针对不同需要。即使法令成为法律后，其适用仍可由法官在法庭上加以澄清。了解立法过程揭示出，立法既是一种政治活动，也是一种法律活动。
10. Legal Skills: Thinking Like a Lawyer | 法律技能：像律师一样思考
Studying law is not just about learning facts; it’s about developing a set of skills. You will learn to identify relevant information, analyse arguments, distinguish facts from opinions, and construct logical conclusions. These critical thinking abilities are valuable far beyond the courtroom.
学习法律不仅仅是学习事实；它在于培养一套技能。你将学会识别相关信息、分析论点、区分事实与观点，并构建合乎逻辑的结论。这些批判性思维能力在法庭之外同样极具价值。
In class, you will often be asked to debate both sides of an issue, even if you personally disagree with one position. This technique builds empathy and precision, helping you understand that legal problems rarely have a single simple answer. Start practising now by questioning news stories and everyday rules – ask ‘why’ and ‘what if’.
在课堂上，你经常会被要求就一个问题的正反两面展开辩论，即使你个人不同意其中一方。这种技巧培养同理心和精确性，帮助你理解法律问题极少只有一个简单答案。现在就开始练习，通过质疑新闻报道和日常规则——问“为什么”和“如果这样会怎样”。
11. A Day in the Life of a Legal Case | 一个法律案件的日常旅程
To bring everything together, let’s trace a typical criminal case. First, a crime is reported to the police. Officers investigate, collect evidence and, if there is enough proof, arrest a suspect. The CPS reviews the case and decides to charge. The defendant appears at a Magistrates’ Court for a preliminary hearing, and if the offence is serious, it is sent to the Crown Court.
为将所有内容串联起来，让我们追溯一个典型的刑事案件。首先，犯罪行为被报告给警察。警官展开调查，收集证据，如果有足够证明，就逮捕嫌疑人。皇家检察署审查案件并决定起诉。被告在治安法院出席初步聆讯，如果罪行严重，案件被移送刑事法院。
At the Crown Court, a jury hears the evidence, the lawyers present arguments, and the judge gives directions on the law. The jury deliberates and returns a verdict. If guilty, the judge imposes a sentence. This journey shows how every part of the legal system works together, from the police officer on patrol to the judge in the courtroom.
在刑事法院，陪审团听取证据，律师提出论点，法官就法律问题给予指引。陪审团评议后作出裁决。如果罪名成立，法官科处刑罚。这段旅程显示了法律系统每一个部分如何协同运作，从巡逻的警官到法庭上的法官。
12. Your Summer Bridging Activities | 你的暑期衔接活动
Now that you have an overview, the summer is your chance to explore actively. Watch court TV programmes or visit a local court’s public gallery to see law in action. Keep a ‘law diary’ where you note any legal issues you spot in the news, such as new legislation or interesting trials. Draw a diagram of the court hierarchy to help you memorise the structure.
既然你已经有了总体认识，暑假正是你主动探索的好时机。观看法院题材的电视节目或前往当地法院的公共旁听席，亲眼目睹法律运作。写一本“法律日记”，在其中记下你在新闻中发现的法律问题，比如新立法或有趣的审判。画一幅法院层级图以帮助记忆结构。
You might also try simple debates with friends or family – for instance, should the voting age be lowered to 16? This builds your ability to argue both sides logically and respectfully. These activities will make your transition to Year 7 law studies smooth and enjoyable. Welcome to the world of law!
你也可以尝试与朋友或家人进行简单的辩论——例如，投票年龄是否应降至 16 岁？这能培养你有理有据、尊重对方地辩论正反两方面的能力。这些活动将使你平稳、愉快地过渡到七年级法律学习。欢迎来到法律的世界！
Published by TutorHao | Law Revision Series | aleveler.com
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