IGCSE OCR Law: Key Legal Terminology Memorisation Guide | IGCSE OCR 法律：核心法律术语速记指南

📚 IGCSE OCR Law: Key Legal Terminology Memorisation Guide | IGCSE OCR 法律：核心法律术语速记指南

This guide covers the essential legal vocabulary for the OCR IGCSE Law specification. Each section explains key terms in clear English and Chinese, with memory aids to help you retain them quickly. Understanding these terms is the foundation for analysing legal scenarios, citing case law and constructing reasoned arguments in your exams.

本指南涵盖 OCR IGCSE 法律课程的核心词汇。每个章节用清晰的英文和中文解释关键术语，并附有记忆技巧，帮助你快速掌握。理解这些术语是分析法律情境、引用判例以及构建考场论证的基础。

---

1. Actus Reus and Mens Rea | 犯罪行为与犯罪意图

In criminal law, every offence typically combines two elements: actus reus (the guilty act) and mens rea (the guilty mind). Actus reus can be a voluntary act, an omission where there is a duty to act, or a state of affairs. Mens rea varies by offence – it may be intention, recklessness, negligence or knowledge.

在刑法中，每个犯罪通常由两个要素构成：actus reus（犯罪行为）和 mens rea（犯罪意图）。犯罪行为可以是自愿行为、有法定救助义务时的疏忽不作为，或某种违法状态。犯罪意图因罪名而异，可能是故意、轻率、过失或明知。

Quick memory tip: Think ‘Act = Action, Mens = Mind’. An actus reus without mens rea may still lead to conviction in strict liability offences.

速记提示： 记住 ‘Act 是行动，Mens 是心理’。如果存在犯罪行为但没有犯罪意图，在严格责任犯罪中仍可能被定罪。

---

2. Omissions and Causation | 不作为与因果关系

An omission means failing to act. There is no general duty to rescue in English law, but a duty arises from a special relationship (parent–child), a contractual duty (lifeguard), a voluntary assumption of responsibility, or where the defendant created a dangerous situation. Causation links the actus reus to the harm. The prosecution must prove factual causation (‘but for’ test) and legal causation (the defendant’s act was a substantial and operating cause).

不作为 是指未能采取行动。英国法律没有普遍的救助义务，但特殊关系（父母与子女）、合同义务（救生员）、自愿承担责任或被告制造了危险情形时，会产生作为义务。因果关系 连接了犯罪行为与损害后果。控方必须证明事实因果关系（’若无则不’ 标准）和法律因果关系（被告的行为是实质性和持续性的原因）。

Memory aid: For causation, remember ‘BOC’ – But for, Operating, and the Chain must not be broken by a new intervening act.

助记： 因果关系记住 ‘BOC’ – But for（若无则不）、Operating（持续作用），且因果关系链条不得被新的介入行为打断。

---

3. Strict Liability and Absolute Liability | 严格责任与绝对责任

Strict liability offences require proof only of the actus reus; no mens rea is needed. They are often regulatory or public safety matters, such as selling alcohol to a minor or food safety violations. Absolute liability goes further – not even a defence of due diligence is available; the mere fact that the prohibited act occurred is enough.

严格责任 犯罪只需证明犯罪行为，无需证明犯罪意图。多用于监管或公共安全事项，如向未成年人售酒或食品安全违规。绝对责任 更进一步——连尽职抗辩都不被允许，只要发生了被禁止的行为就足以定罪。

Study tip: Link strict liability to ‘no fault needed’. Cases like Callow v Tillstone and Sweet v Parsley help illustrate the limits.

学习提示： 将严格责任与 ‘无需证明过错’ 联系起来。案例如 Callow v Tillstone 和 Sweet v Parsley 有助于理解其边界。

---

4. Principal Offenders and Accomplice Liability | 主犯与从犯责任

A principal is the person who directly commits the actus reus. An accomplice (or secondary party) aids, abets, counsels or procures the principal offence. Under the Accessories and Abettors Act 1861, accomplices can be tried and punished in the same way as the principal. Mere presence at a crime scene is not enough; the accomplice must have the mens rea to assist or encourage, and knowledge of the essential matters of the principal offence.

主犯 是直接实施犯罪行为的人。从犯 （或称次要当事人）协助、教唆、建议或促成主犯实施犯罪。根据《1861 年从犯与教唆犯法》，从犯可与主犯一样受审和处罚。仅仅出现在犯罪现场不够，从犯必须有协助或鼓励的意图，并对主犯所犯罪行的关键事实知情。

Quick recall: Remember ‘A4’ – Aid, Abet, Counsel, Procure. The accomplice must intend to assist and know the type of crime the principal will commit.

快速记忆： 牢记 ‘A4’ – Aid（协助）、Abet（教唆）、Counsel（建议）、Procure（促成）。从犯必须有协助的意图，且知悉主犯将要实施犯罪的类型。

---

5. Non‑Fatal Offences Against the Person | 非致命人身罪

Common law and statute define several key non‑fatal offences: assault (causing the victim to apprehend immediate, unlawful force), battery (applying unlawful force), assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH) under s.47 OAPA 1861, malicious wounding or inflicting grievous bodily harm (GBH) under s.20, and wounding or causing GBH with intent under s.18. Each requires a different mens rea – from intention or recklessness to specific intent.

普通法和成文法定义了几种主要的非致命侵害：威胁罪（assault）（使受害人感到即将遭受即时非法暴力），殴打罪（battery）（实施非法暴力），《1861 年侵害人身罪法》第 47 条的威胁致实际身体伤害（ABH），第 20 条的恶意伤害或造成严重身体伤害（GBH），以及第 18 条的意图伤害或造成严重身体伤害。各罪要求不同的犯意——从故意或轻率到特定意图。

Mnemonic: Think of a ladder – Assault, Battery, ABH, GBH s.20, GBH s.18. As you climb, the harm and mens rea escalate.

助记： 想象一个梯子——Assault、Battery、ABH、GBH s.20、GBH s.18。随着梯级上升，伤害和犯意都在加重。

---

6. Defences in Criminal Law | 刑法中的抗辩事由

Defences can produce an acquittal or reduce liability. Key defences include self‑defence (reasonable and proportionate force to protect oneself, others or property), intoxication (voluntary intoxication may negate specific intent but not basic intent), consent (valid for minor battery or lawful activities; not for ABH/GBH except in recognised situations), duress (threats of death or serious injury), and automatism (involuntary act caused by an external factor).

抗辩事由可导致无罪释放或减轻责任。主要抗辩包括正当防卫（合理且相称的武力以保护自己、他人或财产）、醉态（自愿醉态可能否定特定意图，但不否定基本意图）、同意（对轻微殴打或合法活动有效；除被认可的情形外，不适用于 ABH/GBH）、胁迫（死亡或严重伤害的威胁）以及自动症（由外部因素引起的无意识行为）。

Recall strategy: Use the acronym ‘SIC DAD’ – Self‑defence, Intoxication, Consent, Duress, Automatism. Know the limitations of each defence immediately.

记忆法： 使用首字母拼写 ‘SIC DAD’——Self‑defence、Intoxication、Consent、Duress、Automatism。熟知每种抗辩的限制条件。

---

7. Tort of Negligence | 过失侵权

Negligence involves a breach of a legal duty of care owed by the defendant to the claimant, causing damage. The modern test for duty of care comes from Caparo v Dickman: reasonable foreseeability of harm, proximity between parties, and fair, just and reasonable to impose a duty. Breach is assessed against the standard of a reasonable person. The damage must not be too remote; the type of harm must be foreseeable (The Wagon Mound).

过失侵权 涉及被告违反了对原告所负的法定注意义务，并造成损害。义务的现代检验标准源自 Caparo v Dickman 案：损害的可合理预见性、当事人之间的充分临近关系，以及施加义务符合公平、公正和合理原则。违反义务以理性人的标准衡量。损害不得过于遥远；损害类型必须可预见（The Wagon Mound 案）。

Memory aid: Think ‘DOC = Foresee + Proximity + Fairness’ and ‘Breach = what a reasonable person would do’. Apply the ‘thin skull’ rule for claimants with pre‑existing conditions.

记忆提示： 记住 ‘DOC = 可预见 + 临近 + 公平合理’，’违反 = 理性人会如何行为’。对已存在特殊体质的原告适用 ‘薄头骨’ 规则。

---

8. Occupiers’ Liability | 占用者责任

Under the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957, an occupier owes a common duty of care to lawful visitors. For trespassers, the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1984 imposes a lower duty: to take reasonable care that the trespasser does not suffer injury on the premises from a danger the occupier knows about. An occupier is someone who has control over the premises. Special rules apply to child visitors, and warnings can sometimes discharge the duty.

根据《1957 年占用者责任法》，占用者对合法来访者负有共同的注意义务。对侵入者，《1984 年占用者责任法》施加较低义务：采取合理注意确保侵入者不因占用者已知的危险而在场所内受伤。占用者 是指对场所拥有控制权的人。对儿童来访者有特别规则，警告有时可免除义务。

Exam tip: Contrast the two Acts: 1957 – for ‘visitors’, ‘common duty of care’; 1984 – for ‘trespassers’, ‘duty is lower’. Always identify the status of the entrant first.

考试提示： 对比两部法律：1957 年 – 针对 ‘来访者’，’共同注意义务’；1984 年 – 针对 ‘侵入者’，’较低义务’。一定先确定进入者的身份。

---

9. Contract Law: Offer, Acceptance and Consideration | 合同法：要约、承诺与对价

A binding contract requires offer, acceptance and consideration. An offer is a definite promise to be bound on specific terms. An invitation to treat (e.g., goods on a shelf) is not an offer. Acceptance must be unconditional and communicated (the postal rule is an exception). Consideration is something of value exchanged – it must be sufficient but need not be adequate. Past consideration is not valid consideration.

有约束力的合同需具备要约、承诺和对价。要约是明确的、愿受特定条件约束的意思表示。要约邀请（如货架上的商品）不是要约。承诺必须无条件且被传达（投邮规则是例外）。对价是交换的有价值之物——必须有足够价值，但无需对等。过去的对价不算有效对价。

Recall: ‘O A C’ – Offer, Acceptance, Consideration. Remember the case of Carlill v Carbolic Smoke Ball Co for unilateral offers and the postal rule from Adams v Lindsell.

记忆： ‘O A C’——要约、承诺、对价。单方要约参考 Carlill v Carbolic Smoke Ball Co 案，投邮规则参考 Adams v Lindsell 案。

---

10. Sources of Law: Precedent and Statutory Interpretation | 法律渊源：先例与成文法解释

Judicial precedent (stare decisis) means courts follow decisions of higher courts. The ratio decidendi is the binding legal principle; obiter dicta are persuasive remarks. For statutory interpretation, judges use the literal rule, golden rule, mischief rule and purposive approach. Internal (intrinsic) and external (extrinsic) aids, such as Hansard in Pepper v Hart, may be used.

司法先例（遵循先例）指法院依循上级法院的判决。判决理由（ratio decidendi） 是有约束力的法律原则；附带意见（obiter dicta） 具有说服力。在成文法解释中，法官可采用文义规则、金科玉律、填补漏洞规则和目的解释法。可使用内在和外在辅助资料，例如根据 Pepper v Hart 案参考英国议会议事录（Hansard）。

Study strategy: Link ‘ratio = reason for ruling’; ‘obiter = other remarks’. For interpretation, remember ‘L G M P’ – Literal, Golden, Mischief, Purposive.

学习策略： 联想 ‘ratio = 裁决理由’；’obiter = 其他附带评论’。对于解释方法，记住 ‘L G M P’——文义、金科玉律、填补漏洞、目的解释。

---

11. Legal Personnel: Solicitors, Barristers and the Judiciary | 法律执业人员：事务律师、出庭律师与司法系统

Solicitors mainly advise clients, prepare cases, and may represent clients in lower courts. Barristers specialise in advocacy and have rights of audience in all courts; they traditionally receive instructions via solicitors. The judiciary is independent and interprets law; judges are appointed from experienced barristers or solicitors. Magistrates are lay volunteers or legally qualified District Judges hearing summary matters in the Magistrates’ Court.

事务律师 主要为客户提供法律咨询、准备案件，可在下级法院出庭代理。出庭律师 专精于法庭讼辩，在所有法院拥有出庭发言权；传统上经由事务律师转介案件。司法人员 独立行使审判权并解释法律；法官从经验丰富的出庭律师或事务律师中选任。裁判法院的地方法官（magistrate）则是非法律专业的志愿人员或具法律资格的区域法官，审理简易程序案件。

Mnemonic: ‘Solicitor sees you first; Barrister battles in court’. Remember that since the Courts and Legal Services Act 1990, solicitor advocates can also obtain higher rights of audience.

助记： ‘事务律师先见你；出庭律师上庭辩护’。记住自《1990 年法院与法律服务法》后，部分事务律师也可获得高等法院出庭发言权。

---

12. Criminal Court Hierarchy and Appeals | 刑事法院体系与上诉

Criminal cases start in the Magistrates’ Court for summary offences and either-way offences (if the defendant consents to summary trial). Indictable only offences and serious either-way matters go to the Crown Court. Appeals from the Magistrates’ Court go to the Crown Court or by way of case stated to the King’s Bench Division. From the Crown Court, appeals go to the Court of Appeal (Criminal Division) and ultimately to the Supreme Court. The Attorney General may refer unduly lenient sentences to the Court of Appeal.

刑事案件始于裁判法院，管辖简易罪以及可循简易程序审理的双重罪行（若被告同意）。纯粹可公诉罪行及严重的双重罪行交由皇家刑事法院审理。对裁判法院判决的上诉可向皇家刑事法院提起，或以案件呈述方式向王座法庭分庭上诉。对皇家刑事法院的上诉则向刑事上诉法院提出，最终权利可至最高法院。律政司可将过轻的刑罚提交上诉法院复核。

Visual memory: Draw a pyramid with Magistrates’ at the base, then Crown Court, Court of Appeal, and Supreme Court at the top. Label appeal routes and note leapfrog appeals from High Court to Supreme Court under certain conditions.

形象记忆： 画一个金字塔，底层是裁判法院，向上依次为皇家刑事法院、上诉法院，顶端是最高法院。标出上诉路径，并注意特定条件下可从高等法院直跳至最高法院的 ‘跳级上诉’。

Published by TutorHao | IGCSE OCR Law Revision Series | aleveler.com

更多咨询请联系16621398022（同微信）