📚 Year 11 SQA Law: Glossary and Quick Memorisation Guide | Year 11 SQA 法律词汇术语速记指南
A solid grasp of legal terminology is the foundation of success in any SQA Law qualification. Whether you are tackling National 5, Higher, or simply building your understanding of Scots law, this bilingual glossary breaks down the most essential terms into clear, concise pairs of explanations. Use it as a revision companion to plug gaps, reinforce your knowledge, and speed up memorisation before assessments.
扎实掌握法律术语是任何 SQA 法律考试成功的基础。不论你正在备考 National 5、Higher，还是单纯想加深对苏格兰法律的理解，这份双语词汇表都将关键术语转化为清晰简明的解释对。用它作为复习搭档，可以填补知识空白、强化记忆，并在考核前快速提速。
1. Sources of Law | 法律渊源
Statute / Legislation: A law passed by Parliament (both UK and Scottish Parliaments) that has been formally enacted. It overrides common law where conflict exists.
制定法 / 立法：由议会（英国议会和苏格兰议会）通过并正式颁布的法律。当与普通法冲突时，制定法优先。
Common Law: Judge‑made law developed through decisions in courts over centuries, based on precedent rather than statutes. Much of Scots criminal law derives from common law.
普通法：由法官在数个世纪的判决中形成的法律，基于判例而非法典。苏格兰刑法大部分源自普通法。
Precedent: A legal principle established in a previous court case that must be followed by lower courts in similar future cases. In Scotland, decisions of the Inner House of the Court of Session bind all lower civil courts.
判例：先前法院判例中确立的法律原则，下级法院在将来类似案件中必须遵循。在苏格兰，最高民事法院内院的判决对所有下级民事法院具有约束力。
European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR): International treaty incorporated into UK law by the Human Rights Act 1998, requiring all public authorities to act compatibly with Convention rights.
《欧洲人权公约》：通过1998年《人权法》纳入英国法律的国际条约，要求所有公共机构行为符合公约权利。
Scottish Parliament Acts: Laws passed by Holyrood on devolved matters such as health, education, and criminal law. They must be within legislative competence.
苏格兰议会法令：苏格兰议会就卫生、教育、刑法等下放事项通过的法律，必须在立法权限范围内。
2. Court Structure in Scotland | 苏格兰法院体系
Justice of the Peace Court: Lowest criminal court dealing with minor offences like road traffic violations. A lay magistrate or justice sits alone.
治安法院：审理交通违规等轻微刑事犯罪的最低审级法院，由一名非专业治安法官独自审理。
Sheriff Court (summary & solemn): Hears most criminal cases. Summary procedure without a jury for less serious offences; solemn procedure with a jury of 15 for more serious crimes.
郡法院（简易程序与陪审程序）：审理大多数刑事案件。简易程序无陪审团处理较轻罪行；陪审程序由15人陪审团审理更严重的犯罪。
High Court of Justiciary: Scotland’s supreme criminal court for the most serious crimes like murder. It sits both as a trial court and an appeal court.
高等刑事法院：苏格兰最高刑事法院，审理谋杀等最严重犯罪，既是一审法院也是上诉法院。
Sheriff Appeal Court: Hears appeals from summary criminal cases in the Sheriff Court and from Justice of the Peace Courts.
郡上诉法院：受理来自郡法院简易刑事案件和治安法院案件的上诉。
Court of Session (Outer House & Inner House): Supreme civil court; Outer House deals with first-instance civil cases, Inner House largely hears appeals.
最高民事法院（外院与内院）：最高民事法院；外院处理一审民事案件，内院主要受理上诉。
UK Supreme Court: Final court of appeal for civil cases from Scotland and for human rights/devolution issues, but not for Scottish criminal appeals (those end in the High Court).
英国最高法院：苏格兰民事案件及人权/权力下放问题的最高上诉法院，但不受理苏格兰刑事案件的上诉（该类上诉止于高等刑事法院）。
3. Criminal Law Key Terms | 刑法核心术语
Actus reus: The physical element of a crime – the ‘guilty act’. It must be voluntary. For example, the act of taking property in theft.
犯罪行为：犯罪的客观要素——’犯罪行为’，必须出于自愿，例如盗窃中拿走财物的行为。
Mens rea: The mental element – the ‘guilty mind’. Different crimes require different states of mind, such as intention, recklessness, or knowledge.
犯罪意图：主观要素——’犯罪心意’，不同犯罪要求不同的心态，如故意、轻率或明知。
Murdrum / Murder: In Scots law, murder is the intentional killing of another person without legal excuse. It requires evil intent, defined as ‘wicked recklessness’ or intention to kill.
谋杀：苏格兰法中，谋杀指无合法理由故意杀害他人，要求具有’邪恶故意’，即’恶劣轻率’或杀人意图。
Culpable homicide: Scots equivalent to manslaughter – killing that falls short of murder, often due to diminished responsibility, provocation, or lack of the necessary intent.
过失杀人：苏格兰法对应于非预谋杀人——未达谋杀标准的杀人行为，常因责任能力减弱、挑衅或缺乏必要意图。
Assault: An intentional attack on another person. In Scotland, it does not require physical contact; putting someone in fear of immediate harm can be sufficient.
侵犯人身：故意攻击他人的行为。在苏格兰，不要求实际身体接触，使他人恐惧即时伤害足矣。
Theft: The dishonest appropriation of property belonging to another with the intention of permanently depriving the owner.
盗窃：以永久剥夺所有人财产为目的，不诚实地侵占他人财产。
4. Civil Law Essentials | 民法基础术语
Pursuer: In Scots civil law, the person who brings a case to court – the claimant. In England, the term is ‘claimant’.
原告：苏格兰民法中，向法院提起诉讼的人——索赔人。在英格兰称为’claimant’。
Defender: The person against whom a civil action is raised in Scotland.
被告：苏格兰民事诉讼中被起诉的一方。
Standard of proof: In civil cases, the pursuer must prove their case ‘on the balance of probabilities’ – more likely than not.
证明标准：民事案件中，原告必须’按盖然性权衡’证明其主张——即可能性大于不可能。
Delict: Scots law’s equivalent to tort – a civil wrong causing loss or harm, such as negligence, defamation, or nuisance. The remedy is usually damages.
侵权行为：苏格兰法中对应于侵权法的概念——造成损失或伤害的民事不法行为，如过失、诽谤、妨害。救济通常为损害赔偿。
Interdict: A court order preventing a person from doing a certain act (similar to an injunction in England). Interdict can be interim (temporary) or permanent.
禁制令：法院禁止某人从事特定行为的命令（类似于英格兰的禁令）。禁制令可以是临时（中间性）或永久的。
Specific implement: A remedy where the court orders a party to perform their contractual obligation, rather than pay damages.
特定履行：法院命令一方当事人履行合同义务而非支付损害赔偿的救济方式。
5. Contract Law Terminology | 合同法术语
Offer: A clear statement of the terms on which one party is willing to contract. An offer must be communicated and can be revoked before acceptance.
要约：一方当事人就其愿意缔约的条件作出的明确声明。要约必须传达，且可在承诺前撤销。
Acceptance: Unqualified agreement to all terms of an offer. The ‘mirror image’ rule applies – acceptance must match the offer exactly.
承诺：对要约所有条款无条件的同意。适用’镜像规则’——承诺必须与要约完全一致。
Consideration: In Scots law (and English law), each party must give something of value for a contract to be binding. It can be a promise for a promise.
对价：苏格兰法（和英格兰法）中，各方必须提供有价值的东西才能使合同有约束力。可以是允诺换取允诺。
Intention to create legal relations: Both parties must intend to be legally bound. Social agreements generally lack this intention, whereas commercial agreements presume it.
建立法律关系的意图：双方必须意图受到法律约束。社交协议通常缺乏该意图，而商业协议推定具有。
Breach of contract: Failure to perform a contractual obligation without legal excuse. The innocent party can claim damages for material breach.
违约：无合法理由未能履行合同义务。无过错方可就实质性违约主张损害赔偿。
Misrepresentation: A false statement of fact made before the contract is formed, inducing the other party to enter the contract. It may make the contract voidable.
虚假陈述：合同订立前作出的不实事实陈述，诱使对方订立合同，可使合同可撤销。
6. Delict & Tort Key Concepts | 侵权法关键概念
Duty of care: A legal obligation to avoid acts or omissions that could reasonably be foreseen to cause harm to another. The neighbour principle from Donoghue v Stevenson is foundational.
注意义务：避免合理可预见会对他人造成伤害的作为或不作为的法律义务。源自 Donoghue v Stevenson 案的邻人原则是基础。
Breach of duty: Failing to meet the standard of care owed. Courts use the reasonable person test – would a reasonable person in the defender’s position have acted differently?
义务违反：未达到应尽的注意标准。法院使用合理人测试——处于被告位置的合理人会不会采取不同做法？
Causation: The pursuer must prove both factual causation (‘but for’ the defender’s breach, would the harm have occurred?) and legal causation (the harm must not be too remote).
因果关系：原告必须同时证明事实因果关系（’若非’被告的违反，损害是否会发生？）和法律因果关系（损害不得过于遥远）。
Volenti non fit injuria: A defence – ‘to a willing person, no injury is done’. If the pursuer voluntarily assumed the risk of harm, the defender may not be liable.
自愿者不受害：抗辩——’对自愿者不构成侵害’。如果原告自愿承担了损害风险，被告可能不负责任。
Vicarious liability: An employer can be liable for the wrongful acts of an employee committed in the course of employment.
替代责任：雇主可能对雇员在雇佣过程中实施的不法行为承担责任。
Contributory negligence: Where the pursuer’s own carelessness contributed to their injury, damages may be reduced by the percentage of fault.
混合过错：若原告自身的疏忽促成了其伤害，赔偿金可按过错比例扣减。
7. Legal Proceedings & Procedure | 法律诉讼与程序
Prescription / Limitation: Time limits within which a legal action must be raised. In Scotland, personal injury claims must normally be brought within 3 years of the date of injury.
时效 / 诉讼时效：提起法律诉讼的时限。在苏格兰，人身伤害索赔通常必须在受伤之日起3年内提出。
Summary application: A simpler, quicker civil procedure used for some types of cases, such as interdicts or certain family law matters.
简易申请：一种更简便、更快捷的民事诉讼程序，用于禁制令或某些家事法事项等案件。
Preliminary plea: A legal argument raised before the full hearing, such as that the case is time‑barred or irrelevant.
初步抗辩：在全面审理前提出的法律论点，例如主张案件时效已过或不相关。
Proof: The full hearing of evidence in a civil case, equivalent to a trial.
举证审理：民事案件中证据的全面审理，相当于庭审。
Decree: The final order of a civil court. In the Court of Session, it is called a decree; in the Sheriff Court, it is a judgment or decree.
判决：民事法院的最终命令。在最高民事法院称 decree，在郡法院称 judgment 或 decree。
8. Evidence & Proof | 证据与证明
Burden of proof: Who must prove the facts in dispute. In criminal cases, the Crown bears the burden; in civil cases, it generally rests on the pursuer.
举证责任：由谁来证明争议事实。刑事案件中，控方承担举证责任；民事案件中，通常由原告承担。
Standard of proof (criminal): The Crown must prove guilt ‘beyond a reasonable doubt’. This is a much higher standard than the civil balance of probabilities.
证明标准（刑事）：控方必须’排除合理怀疑’地证明有罪。这远高于民事盖然性权衡标准。
Corroboration: In Scots criminal law, no person can be convicted on the evidence of a single witness alone; there must be additional evidence from a second source supporting the essential facts.
佐证：苏格兰刑法中，不能仅凭单一证人证言定罪；必须有另一来源的补充证据支持关键事实。
Admissibility: Whether evidence is allowed to be presented in court. Illegally obtained evidence may still be admissible in Scotland if it is relevant and not unfairly prejudicial.
可采性：证据是否被允许在法庭上呈现。在苏格兰，非法取得的证据若具相关性且不致不公偏见，仍可被采纳。
Hearsay: An out‑of‑court statement offered to prove the truth of the matter asserted. In Scotland, hearsay is generally admissible but is given limited weight without supporting evidence.
传闻证据：庭外陈述，用于证明其所主张事项的真实性。在苏格兰，传闻证据通常可采纳，但若无旁证则证明力有限。
9. Human Rights & the ECHR | 人权与欧洲人权公约
Article 2 – Right to life: Protects life and requires the state to investigate suspicious deaths. It does not make euthanasia or assisted suicide a right.
第2条——生命权：保护生命，并要求国家调查可疑死亡。它并未将安乐死或协助自杀设立为权利。
Article 3 – Prohibition of torture: Absolute right – no derogation permitted. Inhuman or degrading treatment is included, and the threshold is high.
第3条——禁止酷刑：绝对权利，不容克减。包括不人道或侮辱性待遇，门槛很高。
Article 5 – Right to liberty and security: Protects against arbitrary detention. Arrest must be lawful and detainees must be brought promptly before a judge.
第5条——自由和安全权：保护免受任意拘留。逮捕必须合法，被拘留者须迅速被带见法官。
Article 6 – Right to a fair trial: Guarantees an independent and impartial tribunal, public hearing, and reasonable time. In civil and criminal proceedings.
第6条——公正审判权：保障独立和无偏倚的法庭、公开审理及合理时间。适用于民事和刑事诉讼。
Article 8 – Respect for private and family life: A qualified right. Interference by a public authority must be in accordance with law and necessary in a democratic society.
第8条——尊重私生活和家庭生活：一项有限定权利。公共机构的干涉必须符合法律且在民主社会中为必要。
Section 3 HRA 1998: Courts must read and give effect to primary and secondary legislation in a way compatible with Convention rights, ‘so far as it is possible to do so’.
1998年《人权法》第3条：法院必须’在尽可能的范围内’以与公约权利相容的方式解读和赋予主要和次级立法效力。
10. Key Legal Maxims & Phrases | 重要法律格言与短语
Audi alteram partem: ‘Hear the other side.’ A fundamental principle of natural justice – no person should be judged without a fair hearing.
听取另一面陈述：‘听取对方意见’——自然正义的基本原则，任何人不得在未经公正听取情况下被裁判。
Nemo judex in causa sua: ‘No one should be a judge in his own cause.’ A rule against bias – judges must be impartial.
任何人不得做自己案件的法官：反偏见规则——法官必须保持中立。
Res ipsa loquitur: ‘The thing speaks for itself.’ Used where the only explanation for the accident is negligence, shifting the evidential burden.
事实自证：‘事实本身说明问题’——当事故的唯一合理解释是过失时适用，将证据负担转移。
Ultra vires: ‘Beyond the powers.’ An act by a public body that exceeds the legal powers granted to it is void.
越权：‘超越权限’——公共机构超越其被授予的法律权力行事，该行为无效。
Stare decisis: ‘Stand by things decided.’ The doctrine of precedent – courts are bound by decisions of higher courts in the same hierarchy.
遵循先例：‘坚持已决事项’——判例主义，法院受同一级阶中上级法院判决的约束。
Obiter dicta: ‘Things said by the way.’ Judicial remarks not essential to the decision, which may be persuasive but are not binding.
附带意见：‘附带所言’——法官非为判决必要所作的评论，可能具有说服力但不具有约束力。
Ratio decidendi: The legal reason for the decision – the binding part of a precedent.
判决理由：判决的法律理由——判例中具有约束力的部分。
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