A bilingual study guide based on the Department of Justice's "Canada's System of Justice" and the websites of B.C.'s courts by Alliance of Chinese Conservatives.
本资料由加拿大华裔保守联盟AOCC整理自联邦司法部「Canada's System of Justice」及卑诗省各级法院网站。
Contents · 目录
- Where Law Comes From · 法律从哪里来
- Two Legal Traditions · 两套法律传统
- The Constitution and the Charter · 宪法与《权利与自由宪章》
- The Court System · 法院体系
- Judges and Judicial Independence · 法官与司法独立
- Criminal Cases · 刑事案件
- Civil and Family Cases · 民事与家事案件
- Resolving Disputes Outside Court · 法庭外的纠纷解决
- The Provincial Court of B.C. in Practice · 卑诗省法院实务
1. Where Law Comes From · 法律从哪里来
What law does · 法律的作用
Laws are rules made by government and enforced by the courts. They set standards of conduct, protect rights and freedoms, and give people a peaceful way to settle disputes instead of the strongest getting their way. The foundations of Canada's legal heritage are the rule of law, freedom under the law, democratic principles and respect for others.
法律是政府制定、由法院执行的规则。它设定行为准则、保护权利和自由，并为人们提供和平解决纠纷的途径，而不是谁强谁说了算。加拿大法律传统的基础是：法治、法律之下的自由、民主原则和尊重他人。
Under the rule of law, the same law applies to everyone, including the police, governments and public officials, who must all act within the law. People are not expected to be legal experts, but ignorance of the law is no excuse.
在法治之下，同一套法律适用于所有人，包括警察、政府和公职人员，他们都必须依法行事。普通人不必是法律专家，但「不知法」不能作为开脱的理由。
Sources of law · 法律的来源
| Source · 来源 | What it is · 说明 |
|---|---|
| Constitution · 宪法 | The supreme law of Canada; any law that conflicts with it has no effect. · 加拿大的最高法律，与之抵触的法律无效。 |
| Statutes (Acts) · 成文法 | Laws passed by Parliament or a provincial or territorial legislature; a statute overrides common law on the same subject. · 由联邦议会或省、地区议会通过的法律；在同一事项上，成文法优先于普通法。 |
| Regulations · 法规 | Detailed rules made by departments or agencies under authority given by a statute; they have the force of law. · 政府部门或机构根据法律授权制定的细则，具有法律效力。 |
| Common law (case law) · 普通法（判例法） | Law built up by judges' decisions; earlier rulings (precedents) guide later, similar cases. · 由法官判决积累而成的法律；先前的裁决（先例）指引之后的类似案件。 |
| Bylaws · 地方法规 | Rules made by municipalities under provincial law, such as zoning or parking. · 市政府根据省法制定的规则，如土地规划、停车。 |
Public law and private law · 公法与私法
Public law governs the relationship between individuals and society. It includes criminal law (crimes and punishments), constitutional law (how governments relate to each other and to citizens, including rights) and administrative law (how government bodies act). Shoplifting is a public law matter: it is treated as a wrong against society.
公法规范个人与社会之间的关系，包括刑法（犯罪与刑罚）、宪法（政府之间及政府与公民之间的关系，包括权利保障）和行政法（政府机构如何行事）。商店行窃属于公法事项：它被视为对社会的侵害。
Private law, also called civil law, governs relationships between people and organizations: contracts, property, family, and harm one person causes another. If a car backs into a neighbour's fence, the dispute over the damage is a private law matter.
私法，也称民法，规范个人与机构之间的关系：合同、财产、家庭，以及一人对另一人造成的损害。比如一辆车倒车撞坏了邻居的篱笆，由此引起的赔偿纠纷就是私法事项。
Federal and provincial laws · 联邦法与省法
Canada is a federation. Parliament makes laws for the whole country on subjects such as criminal law, national defence, money and interprovincial trade. Provinces make laws on education, property and civil rights, hospitals, municipalities and the administration of justice, which includes running most of the courts. So the Criminal Code is the same everywhere, but courts are largely organized by each province.
加拿大是联邦制国家。联邦议会就刑法、国防、货币和省际贸易等事项为全国立法；各省就教育、财产与民事权利、医院、市政以及司法行政（包括管理大部分法院）立法。因此，《刑法典》全国统一，但法院主要由各省自行组织。
2. Two Legal Traditions · 两套法律传统
Common law and civil law · 普通法与大陆民法
Canada's legal system grew out of English and French traditions brought by colonists in the 17th and 18th centuries. After the Battle of Quebec in 1759, most of the country came under English common law, while Quebec kept the French civil law tradition. Today Quebec is the only province whose private law is based on a civil code, rooted in the Napoleonic Code; all other provinces and territories use common law.
加拿大的法律制度源于 17、18 世纪殖民者带来的英国和法国传统。1759 年魁北克战役之后，全国大部分地区采用英国普通法，而魁北克保留了法国的大陆民法传统。如今魁北克是唯一一个私法以民法典为基础的省份，其民法典源于《拿破仑法典》；其他各省和地区都采用普通法。
| Common law · 普通法 | Civil law · 大陆民法 | |
|---|---|---|
| Where · 适用地区 | All provinces and territories except Quebec · 除魁北克外的所有省和地区 | Quebec, for private law · 魁北克（私法领域） |
| Main source · 主要来源 | Judges' decisions (precedent), plus statutes · 法官判决（先例）加成文法 | A comprehensive civil code of general principles · 一部以普遍原则为主的完整民法典 |
| How judges reason · 法官如何推理 | Start from earlier similar cases · 从先前的类似案件出发 | Start from the code, then check past decisions for consistency · 先查法典，再参考先前判决以求一致 |
Note that "civil law" has two meanings: the code-based legal tradition, and private law as opposed to criminal law. Criminal law is federal and the same across Canada, including in Quebec, even though the Criminal Code is itself a code.
注意，「civil law」有两层含义：一是以法典为基础的法律传统（大陆民法），二是与刑法相对的私法（民事法）。刑法属于联邦权限，全国统一，魁北克也不例外，尽管《刑法典》本身也是一部法典。
Bijuralism · 双法制
Because federal laws apply in Quebec as well as in common law provinces, every federal bill and regulation must work in both legal systems and express its legal concepts in both English and French. This is called bijuralism.
由于联邦法律既适用于魁北克，也适用于普通法省份，每一项联邦法案和法规都必须在两套法律体系下都行得通，并用英法双语表达其法律概念。这就是双法制。
Indigenous rights and law · 原住民权利与法律
Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982 recognizes and affirms the existing Aboriginal rights of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples, which arise from their historical occupation and use of the land, and treaty rights set out in agreements with the Crown. Indigenous self-government arrangements also allow some Indigenous governments to make laws for their communities under agreements with federal and provincial governments.
《1982 年宪法法案》第 35 条承认并确认第一民族、因纽特人和梅蒂人现有的原住民权利（源于他们对土地的历史性占用和使用），以及与王室签订的协议中规定的条约权利。通过与联邦和省政府达成的自治协议，一些原住民政府也可以为本社区制定法律。
3. The Constitution and the Charter · 宪法与《权利与自由宪章》
The Constitution, made up mainly of the Constitution Act, 1867 and the Constitution Act, 1982, is the supreme law of Canada. It sets up the three branches of government, divides powers between Parliament and the provinces, protects Aboriginal and treaty rights, and reaffirms Canada's dual legal system. Until 1982, major changes could only be made by the UK Parliament; patriation in 1982 added a Canadian amending formula and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
宪法主要由《1867 年宪法法案》和《1982 年宪法法案》组成，是加拿大的最高法律。它确立政府的三个分支，在联邦议会与各省之间划分权力，保护原住民权利和条约权利，并再次确认加拿大的双法律体系。1982 年以前，重大修改只能由英国议会作出；1982 年宪法回归加拿大，增加了本国的修宪程序和《加拿大权利与自由宪章》。
In the judicial branch, judges interpret and apply both ordinary laws and the Constitution, and give impartial judgments in public cases, such as criminal prosecutions, and private ones, such as contract disputes. The Constitution Act, 1867 let Parliament create a general court of appeal and other federal courts; under it, Parliament set up the Supreme Court of Canada, the Federal Court of Appeal, the Federal Court and the Tax Court of Canada.
在司法分支中，法官解释并适用普通法律和宪法，对公法案件（如刑事检控）和私法案件（如合同纠纷）作出公正裁决。《1867 年宪法法案》授权联邦议会设立一个普通上诉法院和其他联邦法院；据此，联邦议会设立了加拿大最高法院、联邦上诉法院、联邦法院和加拿大税务法院。
The Charter guarantees fundamental freedoms (religion, expression, peaceful assembly, association), democratic rights, mobility rights, legal rights, equality rights and language rights. Its legal rights matter most in court: the right to a lawyer on arrest, protection against unreasonable search, the presumption of innocence, the right to be tried within a reasonable time, and the right not to be compelled to testify against oneself. If a law violates the Charter and the limit cannot be justified in a free and democratic society (section 1), the courts can strike it down; evidence obtained in breach of the Charter may be excluded.
《宪章》保障基本自由（宗教、表达、和平集会、结社）、民主权利、迁徙权利、法律权利、平等权利和语言权利。在法庭上最重要的是法律权利：被逮捕时聘请律师的权利、免受不合理搜查、无罪推定、在合理时间内受审的权利，以及不被强迫自证其罪的权利。如果一项法律违反《宪章》，而这种限制在自由民主社会中无法被证明是合理的（第 1 条），法院可以宣布其无效；违反《宪章》取得的证据也可能被排除。
4. The Court System · 法院体系
Canada's courts form four levels. Provinces and territories create and run most courts, while Parliament created the federal courts. Every level can apply both federal and provincial laws, which is why one criminal case can start in a provincial court and end at the Supreme Court of Canada.
加拿大的法院分为四个层级。大部分法院由各省和地区设立并管理，联邦法院则由联邦议会设立。各级法院都可以适用联邦法律和省法律，所以一宗刑事案件可以从省级法院开始，一路上诉到加拿大最高法院。
Read the chart from the bottom up: a decision can usually be appealed to the court one level higher, and the Supreme Court of Canada hears the final appeal from all three appeal courts. Administrative tribunals sit outside this chart; they are not courts, but courts can review their decisions.
图表应自下而上阅读：判决通常可以上诉到上一级法院，加拿大最高法院对三个上诉法院的判决作终审。行政裁判庭不在图中；它们不是法院，但法院可以审查其决定。
Provincial and territorial courts · 省级与地区法院
Every province and territory has a provincial or territorial court, and these courts hear most cases in Canada. They handle most criminal offences except the most serious, youth cases for ages 12 to 17, certain family matters (child support, child protection and adoption, but not divorce), traffic and bylaw violations, regulatory offences, small claims and preliminary inquiries. Some have specialized courts, such as Drug Treatment Courts for non-violent offenders whose crimes were driven by addiction, and Domestic Violence Courts.
每个省和地区都设有省级或地区法院，加拿大大部分案件都在这一级审理。它们处理除最严重罪行以外的大多数刑事案件、12 至 17 岁的青少年案件、部分家事案件（子女抚养费、儿童保护和收养，但不含离婚）、交通和地方法规违规、监管类违法、小额索偿以及预审。部分法院设有专门法庭，例如为因成瘾而犯罪的非暴力罪犯设立的戒毒治疗法庭，以及家庭暴力法庭。
Superior courts · 高等法院
Superior courts have inherent (plenary) jurisdiction: they can hear any case unless a statute or rule limits them. They try the most serious criminal and civil cases, including divorce and high-value claims, and hear appeals from provincial courts. Provinces run them, but the federal government appoints and pays their judges (section 96 of the Constitution Act, 1867). In B.C. this court is called the Supreme Court of British Columbia, which is not the same as the Supreme Court of Canada.
高等法院拥有固有（全面）管辖权：除非成文法或规则加以限制，它可以审理任何案件。它审理最严重的刑事和民事案件，包括离婚和高额索偿，并受理来自省级法院的上诉。高等法院由省管理，但法官由联邦政府任命并支付薪酬（《1867 年宪法法案》第 96 条）。在卑诗省，这一级法院叫卑诗省最高法院，它与加拿大最高法院不是同一个法院。
Courts of appeal · 上诉法院
Each province and territory has a court of appeal, which hears appeals from its superior and provincial courts, including constitutional questions. Appeals are usually heard by a panel of three judges. There is no new trial; the court reviews whether the law was applied correctly.
每个省和地区都设有上诉法院，审理来自本省高等法院和省级法院的上诉，包括宪法问题。上诉通常由三名法官组成的合议庭审理。上诉法院不重新审判，而是审查法律是否被正确适用。
B.C.'s three levels of court · 卑诗省的三级法院
| Court · 法院 | Role · 职能 | Main cases · 主要案件 |
|---|---|---|
| Provincial Court of B.C. · 卑诗省法院 | Statutory trial court; judges appointed by the province · 法定初审法院，法官由省政府任命 | Over 95% of criminal cases, youth cases, most family matters, small claims, traffic and bylaw · 95% 以上的刑事案件、青少年案件、大部分家事、小额索偿、交通与地方法规 |
| Supreme Court of B.C. · 卑诗省最高法院 | Superior trial court with inherent jurisdiction; also hears most appeals from the Provincial Court · 拥有固有管辖权的高等初审法院，也审理大部分来自省法院的上诉 | Murder and other most serious crimes, all jury trials, civil claims over $35,000, divorce and family property · 谋杀等最严重罪行、所有陪审团审判、超过 35,000 加元的民事索偿、离婚和家庭财产 |
| Court of Appeal for B.C. · 卑诗省上诉法院 | The province's highest court; no trials · 省内最高一级法院，不进行初审 | Appeals from the Supreme Court of B.C., some criminal appeals from the Provincial Court, and some tribunal decisions · 审理来自卑诗省最高法院的上诉、部分来自省法院的刑事上诉及部分裁判庭决定 |
Despite its name, the Supreme Court of B.C. is a trial court, not the top court. It has a Chief Justice, an Associate Chief Justice and 95 other justices, plus 13 associate judges who decide many pre-trial applications in chambers, and its judges travel on circuit around the province. The Court of Appeal, headed by the Chief Justice of British Columbia, has 15 justices plus supernumerary justices. It sits mainly in Vancouver and as needed in Victoria, Kamloops, Kelowna, Prince George and Abbotsford; its justices also form the Court of Appeal of Yukon.
尽管名字里有「最高」，卑诗省最高法院其实是初审法院，并非最高一级。它设首席法官、副首席法官和 95 名法官，另有 13 名副法官（associate judge），在内庭处理大量庭前申请；其法官也在全省巡回开庭。卑诗省上诉法院由卑诗省首席大法官领导，设 15 名法官，另有超编法官。它主要在温哥华开庭，必要时也在维多利亚、甘露市（Kamloops）、基洛纳、乔治王子城和阿伯茨福德（Abbotsford）开庭；其法官同时组成育空上诉法院。
Federal courts · 联邦法院
| Court · 法院 | What it hears · 审理事项 |
|---|---|
| Federal Court · 联邦法院 | National trial court for matters Parliament assigns: claims against the federal government, immigration and refugee cases, intellectual property, citizenship appeals, and reviews of most federal tribunal decisions. · 全国性初审法院，审理议会指定的事项：针对联邦政府的诉讼、移民与难民案件、知识产权、公民身份上诉，以及对大多数联邦裁判庭决定的审查。 |
| Tax Court of Canada · 加拿大税务法院 | Disputes between taxpayers and the federal government over federal tax, after other options under the Income Tax Act are used up; independent of the Canada Revenue Agency. · 纳税人与联邦政府之间的联邦税务纠纷，须先用尽《所得税法》下的其他途径；独立于加拿大税务局。 |
| Federal Court of Appeal · 联邦上诉法院 | Appeals from the Federal Court and the Tax Court, and reviews of certain federal tribunals. · 审理来自联邦法院和税务法院的上诉，以及对部分联邦裁判庭的审查。 |
| Military courts and Court Martial Appeal Court · 军事法院与军事上诉法院 | Courts martial apply the Code of Service Discipline to Canadian Forces members; appeals go to the Court Martial Appeal Court, which sits in panels of three. · 军事法庭对加拿大军队成员适用《军纪守则》；上诉由军事上诉法院审理，通常由三名法官组成合议庭。 |
The Supreme Court of Canada · 加拿大最高法院
The Supreme Court of Canada is the final court of appeal from all other Canadian courts. It holds no trials and covers every area of law. It has a Chief Justice and eight other justices, at least three of whom must come from Quebec, and it sits in Ottawa in winter, spring and fall sessions. In most cases a party must first get leave (permission) to appeal: panels of three justices decide about 500 to 600 leave applications a year, without giving reasons, and the Court hears 40 to 70 appeals.
加拿大最高法院是全国所有法院的终审上诉法院。它不进行初审，管辖所有法律领域。最高法院由一名首席大法官和八名大法官组成，其中至少三人必须来自魁北克，每年在渥太华分冬季、春季和秋季三个会期开庭。大多数案件须先获得上诉许可：由三名大法官组成的小组每年审议约 500 至 600 份许可申请，不说明理由，最终每年审理 40 至 70 宗上诉。
5. Judges and Judicial Independence · 法官与司法独立
Under the Constitution, the judiciary is separate from and independent of the executive and legislative branches. Judges must decide cases on the facts and the law alone, free of pressure from governments, politicians, the media or anyone else. In the Department of Justice's words, "Nothing is more important in our justice system than having independent judges."
根据宪法，司法机关与行政、立法机关分开并保持独立。法官只能依据事实和法律裁决案件，不受政府、政客、媒体或任何人的压力。用联邦司法部的话说：「在我们的司法制度中，没有什么比拥有独立的法官更重要。」
Three guarantees · 三项保障
| Guarantee · 保障 | What it means · 含义 |
|---|---|
| Security of tenure · 任期保障 | Judges serve until retirement (age 75 for federally appointed judges; 70 in some provinces and territories). A federally appointed judge can be removed only by a joint address of Parliament, after an independent investigation by the Canadian Judicial Council. · 法官任职至退休（联邦任命法官 75 岁；部分省和地区为 70 岁）。联邦任命的法官只有在加拿大司法理事会独立调查之后、经议会两院联合致辞才能被免职。 |
| Financial security · 财务保障 | Judges receive adequate salary and pension, and governments cannot change them without first receiving recommendations from an independent compensation commission. · 法官享有充足的薪酬和养老金，政府须先获得独立薪酬委员会的建议，才能调整待遇。 |
| Administrative independence · 行政独立 | No one may interfere with how courts manage cases; only the chief justice assigns cases to the judges of that court. · 任何人不得干预法院如何管理案件；只有首席法官才能为本院法官分配案件。 |
Who appoints judges · 谁来任命法官
Judges of the Supreme Court of Canada, the federal courts, and the provincial superior courts and courts of appeal are appointed by the Governor General. Supreme Court justices and chief justices are appointed on the Prime Minister's advice; other superior court judges on the advice of the Minister of Justice. Judges of provincial and territorial courts are appointed by provincial and territorial governments, with no federal role.
加拿大最高法院、各联邦法院以及省级高等法院和上诉法院的法官由总督任命。最高法院大法官和各院首席法官根据总理的建议任命；其他高等法院法官根据司法部长的建议任命。省级和地区法院的法官由省、地区政府任命，联邦不参与。
For a Supreme Court vacancy, an independent, non-partisan advisory board prepares a shortlist for the Prime Minister, and the Minister of Justice consults the Chief Justice, provincial and territorial attorneys general, opposition justice critics and members of the House and Senate justice committees. For superior courts, 17 independent judicial advisory committees of seven members each rate candidates as "highly recommended," "recommended" or "unable to recommend."
最高法院出现空缺时，由一个独立、无党派的咨询委员会为总理拟定候选名单，司法部长再征询首席大法官、各省和地区总检察长、反对党司法事务发言人，以及众议院和参议院司法委员会成员的意见。至于高等法院，17 个各由七人组成的独立司法咨询委员会将候选人评为「强烈推荐」、「推荐」或「无法推荐」。
In B.C., Provincial Court judges and judicial justices are appointed by the provincial cabinet (Lieutenant Governor in Council) on the recommendation of the nine-member Judicial Council of B.C., which includes judges, lawyers and members of the public and follows a merit-based process. Judges need at least ten years of law practice in Canada; judicial justices need at least five.
在卑诗省，省法院法官和司法治安官（judicial justice）根据九人卑诗省司法理事会的推荐，由省内阁（省督会同行政会议）任命。司法理事会由法官、律师和普通市民组成，实行择优选拔。法官须有至少十年在加拿大执业的经验，司法治安官至少五年。
Ethics and complaints · 职业操守与投诉
The Canadian Judicial Council, made up of the chief justices and associate chief justices of the federal and superior courts, oversees federally appointed judges, publishes Ethical Principles for Judges and investigates complaints about their conduct. If it finds serious misconduct, it can recommend removal to the Minister of Justice, who must then seek approval from both the House of Commons and the Senate. In B.C., complaints about Provincial Court judges go to the Chief Judge, through three stages: examination, investigation and inquiry.
加拿大司法理事会由联邦法院和高等法院的首席法官和副首席法官组成，监督联邦任命的法官，发布《法官职业道德原则》，并调查对法官行为的投诉。如发现严重失当行为，它可以向司法部长建议免职，司法部长须再征得众议院和参议院的批准。在卑诗省，对省法院法官的投诉由首席法官处理，分为审查、调查和问询三个阶段。
A complaint is not an appeal. If someone disagrees with a judge's decision, the remedy is to appeal it to a higher court; the Chief Judge cannot change another judge's decision.
投诉不等于上诉。如果不同意法官的裁决，应向上一级法院上诉；首席法官无权更改其他法官的裁决。
6. Criminal Cases · 刑事案件
A crime is treated as a wrong against society as a whole, so the case is brought by the state, not the victim. Prosecutors called Crown counsel act independently for the public; they do not represent the government, the police or the victim. The accused is presumed innocent, and the Crown must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
犯罪被视为对整个社会的侵害，因此由国家而非受害人提起诉讼。被称为皇家检察官的检控方代表公众独立行事，他们不代表政府、警察或受害人。被告人被推定无罪，检方必须证明其有罪并达到排除合理怀疑的标准。
Types of offences · 罪行类型
| Type · 类型 | What it means · 含义 |
|---|---|
| Summary conviction · 简易程序罪行 | Less serious offences, tried by a provincial court judge without a jury; the general maximum is a $5,000 fine, six months in jail, or both. · 较轻罪行，由省法院法官独任审理，无陪审团；一般最高处 5,000 加元罚款、六个月监禁，或两者并处。 |
| Indictable · 可起诉罪行 | More serious offences. For many of them the accused may choose trial by a provincial court judge, a superior court judge alone, or a superior court judge and jury, and may ask for a preliminary inquiry. · 较严重罪行。对其中许多罪行，被告人可以选择由省法院法官、高等法院法官独任，或高等法院法官加陪审团审理，并可申请预审。 |
| Hybrid · 混合罪行 | Offences the Crown may choose to prosecute either way. · 检方可自行选择按简易程序或起诉程序提起检控的罪行。 |
Rights on arrest · 被逮捕时的权利
A person who is arrested must be told why, and has the right to speak to a lawyer without delay. Anyone held in custody must be brought before a judge or justice of the peace, usually within 24 hours, who decides on bail (release, with or without conditions, until trial). The Charter also guarantees the right to be tried within a reasonable time.
被逮捕者有权被告知逮捕原因，并有权立即联系律师。被羁押者通常须在 24 小时内被带到法官或治安法官面前，由其决定是否保释（在审判前附条件或不附条件释放）。《宪章》还保障被告人在合理时间内受审的权利。
Steps of a criminal case in B.C. Provincial Court · 卑诗省法院刑事案件的步骤
Charge · 提出控罪: Police or other authorities recommend charges; the court is not involved in this step. · 警察或其他机关建议提出控罪，法院不参与这一步。
Bail hearing · 保释听证: If the accused is in custody, the court decides whether to release them, with or without conditions. · 被告人如被羁押，法院决定是否附条件或不附条件将其释放。
Initial appearance · 首次出庭: The accused is told the charges. · 被告人被告知所受控罪。
Arraignment · 控罪宣读: The charge is formally read and the accused pleads guilty or not guilty. · 正式宣读控罪，被告人作出认罪或不认罪的答辩。
Preliminary inquiry (if any) · 预审（如适用）: Held only when the trial will be in the Supreme Court of B.C.; the Provincial Court decides whether there is enough evidence to go to trial. · 仅在审判将于卑诗省最高法院进行时举行，由省法院判断证据是否足以进入审判。
Pre-trial conference (some cases) · 庭前会议（部分案件）: A meeting with a judge to narrow the issues and estimate trial time. · 与法官会面，缩小争议点并估算审判所需时间。
Trial · 审判: The court decides whether the Crown has proved the offence beyond a reasonable doubt. A guilty plea before trial skips this step. · 法院判断检方是否已排除合理怀疑地证明罪行。审前认罪则跳过此步。
Sentencing · 量刑: After a guilty plea or finding, the judge hears from both sides and explains the sentence. · 认罪或被判有罪后，法官听取双方意见并说明判刑理由。
The Crown must also give the defence disclosure: the evidence it has gathered, so the accused can answer the case.
检方还必须向辩方披露其收集的证据，使被告人能够作出应对。
Serious cases in the Supreme Court of B.C. · 卑诗省最高法院的重大刑案
The Provincial Court hears over 95 percent of criminal cases in B.C. A case goes to the Supreme Court of B.C. in two situations: the charge is one that only a superior court can try, such as murder or treason; or the charge is an indictable offence and the accused elects (chooses) a trial in the Supreme Court, with a judge alone or with a jury. The Supreme Court is the only court in B.C. where jury trials take place. When a case is headed there, the Provincial Court may first hold a preliminary inquiry to decide whether there is enough evidence for trial.
卑诗省 95% 以上的刑事案件由省法院审理。案件在两种情况下进入卑诗省最高法院：一是罪名只能由高等法院审理，如谋杀或叛国；二是属于可起诉罪行，而被告人选择在最高法院受审，由法官独任或由法官加陪审团审理。卑诗省最高法院是省内唯一进行陪审团审判的法院。案件移交最高法院之前，省法院可能先举行预审，判断证据是否足以进入审判。
Jurors are summoned by the sheriff from the community. A juror who receives a summons must respond, and employers must allow time off for jury duty; some people can be excused or are disqualified.
陪审员由法警从社区中传召。收到传召的人必须回应，雇主也必须允许员工请假担任陪审员；部分人可获豁免或不具资格。
Sentencing · 量刑
Sentences range from a discharge (a finding of guilt with no conviction recorded, either absolute or conditional on following probation rules), fines and probation, to a conditional sentence served in the community, to jail. Sentences of two years or more are served in a federal penitentiary; shorter ones in a provincial correctional centre. Release on parole is decided by a parole board, not by judges.
刑罚从免予定罪（认定有罪但不记录定罪，分为绝对免予定罪和以遵守缓刑规定为条件的有条件免予定罪）、罚款、缓刑，到在社区服刑的有条件判刑，再到监禁。两年或以上的刑期在联邦监狱服刑，较短的在省级管教中心服刑。假释由假释委员会而非法官决定。
Youth justice · 青少年司法
The Youth Criminal Justice Act applies to young people aged 12 to 17. It recognizes that youth should be held accountable in ways suited to their age and maturity, with an emphasis on rehabilitation and reintegration. For less serious offences, police and Crown can use extrajudicial measures, such as warnings, referrals or community programs, instead of court. Youth cases are heard in youth court, and the identity of a young person is generally protected from publication. A youth can receive an adult sentence for serious offences, but no one under 18 serves a sentence in an adult prison.
《青少年刑事司法法》适用于 12 至 17 岁的青少年。它认为青少年应以与其年龄和成熟度相称的方式承担责任，重点在于改过自新和重返社会。对较轻罪行，警察和检方可以采用警告、转介或社区项目等司法外措施，而不走法庭程序。青少年案件在青少年法庭审理，其身份一般受到保护，不得公开。对严重罪行，青少年可以被判处成人刑罚，但未满 18 岁者不会在成人监狱服刑。
Juries · 陪审团
Anyone charged with an offence carrying a maximum of five years or more has a Charter right to a jury trial. A criminal jury has 12 members, and its verdict must be unanimous. Jurors are chosen from the community, and serving on a jury is one of the most direct ways ordinary people take part in the justice system.
被控犯有最高刑期五年或以上罪行的人，依《宪章》有权接受陪审团审判。刑事陪审团由 12 人组成，裁决必须一致通过。陪审员从社区中选出，担任陪审员是普通人参与司法制度最直接的方式之一。
7. Civil and Family Cases · 民事与家事案件
How civil cases work · 民事案件如何进行
In a civil case, one person or organization (the plaintiff or claimant) sues another (the defendant) over a private dispute, such as a broken contract, unpaid debt or damaged property. The plaintiff must prove the case on a balance of probabilities, meaning it is more likely than not, a lower standard than in criminal cases.
在民事案件中，一个人或机构（原告）就私人纠纷起诉另一方（被告），例如违约、欠债不还或财产损坏。原告只需以盖然性占优的标准证明其主张，即「可能性大于不可能性」，低于刑事案件的证明标准。
A typical civil action moves through pleadings (the written claim and defence), discovery (each side learns the other's evidence), settlement efforts and, if needed, a trial. About 98 percent of civil cases never reach trial; most settle along the way. If the plaintiff wins, the court can award damages (money), make a declaration of the parties' rights, or grant an injunction ordering someone to do or stop doing something. A civil jury, where used, has six members, and five must agree.
典型的民事诉讼依次经历诉状阶段（书面起诉与答辩）、证据开示（双方了解对方的证据）、和解尝试，必要时再进入审判。约 98% 的民事案件从未进入审判，大多在中途和解。原告胜诉后，法院可以判给损害赔偿（金钱）、作出确认双方权利的宣告性判决，或发出禁制令，要求某人作出或停止某种行为。民事案件如采用陪审团，由六人组成，须有五人同意。
Small claims in B.C. · 卑诗省小额索偿
| Amount claimed · 索偿金额 | Where it goes · 受理机构 |
|---|---|
| Up to $5,000 · 5,000 加元及以下 | Mostly the Civil Resolution Tribunal, an online tribunal separate from the courts · 大多由民事解决庭处理，这是一个独立于法院的线上裁判庭 |
| $5,001 to $35,000 · 5,001 至 35,000 加元 | Provincial Court small claims · 省法院小额索偿法庭 |
| Over $35,000 · 35,000 加元以上 | Supreme Court of B.C. · 卑诗省最高法院 |
A small claims case starts with a Notice of Claim. Before any trial, the parties usually attend a settlement conference with a judge, and in some cases a trial conference; many disputes are resolved there.
小额索偿案件以递交「索偿通知」开始。在审判之前，双方通常须参加由法官主持的和解会议，部分案件还有庭前会议；许多纠纷在这一阶段就得到解决。
Larger civil claims in the Supreme Court of B.C. · 卑诗省最高法院的较大民事案件
Claims over $35,000 go to the Supreme Court of B.C. The main steps are:
超过 35,000 加元的索偿由卑诗省最高法院受理，主要步骤如下：
Notice of Civil Claim · 民事起诉书: The plaintiff files the claim and serves it on the defendant. · 原告向法院递交起诉书并送达被告。
Response to Civil Claim · 答辩书: A defendant served in Canada has 21 days to respond; otherwise the plaintiff can get a default judgment without the court hearing the defendant's side. · 在加拿大境内被送达的被告有 21 天时间提交答辩；否则原告可取得缺席判决，法院不会听取被告一方的意见。
Discovery · 证据开示: The parties exchange lists of documents, and each side can question the other under oath in an examination for discovery. · 双方交换文件清单，并可在宣誓后询问对方（庭前询问）。
Chambers applications and conferences · 内庭申请与庭前会议: Short hearings decide procedural issues; case planning and trial management conferences keep the case on track. · 内庭短听证处理程序问题；案件规划会议和庭审管理会议确保案件按计划推进。
Trial and judgment · 审判与判决: Many cases settle first; those that don't go to trial, after which costs and enforcement of orders are dealt with. · 许多案件在此前和解；未和解的进入审判，审后再处理诉讼费用和判决执行。
Smaller and shorter cases may use fast track litigation: it applies to money or property claims of $100,000 or less (or trials of three days or less), limits examination for discovery to two hours, has no jury and fixes costs at $8,000 to $11,000 depending on trial length.
较小、较短的案件可以采用快速诉讼程序：适用于标的在 100,000 加元或以下的金钱或财产索偿（或审判可在三天内完成的案件），庭前询问限于两小时，不设陪审团，诉讼费用按审判长度固定为 8,000 至 11,000 加元。
Family cases · 家事案件
In B.C., the Provincial Court helps families settle parenting arrangements, child and spousal support, guardianship and contact when they separate. It also hears child protection cases and can make protection orders where there is a risk of family violence. Divorce and the division of family property can only be decided in the Supreme Court of B.C. The guiding test in every parenting decision is the best interests of the child.
在卑诗省，省法院帮助分居家庭解决养育安排、子女和配偶扶养费、监护权及探视等问题。它还审理儿童保护案件，并可在存在家庭暴力风险时发出保护令。离婚和家庭财产分割只能由卑诗省最高法院裁决。所有养育类决定的核心标准是儿童最佳利益。
Family court encourages early resolution. Cases often begin with a family management conference, may include a family settlement conference, and free help is available from family justice counsellors at Family Justice Centres.
家事法庭鼓励尽早解决纠纷。案件通常从家事管理会议开始，可能包括家事和解会议，家庭司法中心的家庭司法辅导员也提供免费帮助。
Divorce · 离婚
Only a court order can end a legal marriage, and in B.C. only the Supreme Court of B.C. grants divorces; a religious or cultural divorce does not end a marriage under Canadian law. The usual ground is living separate and apart for at least one year (spouses may reconcile for up to 90 days without restarting the clock), and at least one spouse must have lived in B.C. for the 12 months before applying. Adultery or physical or mental cruelty allow an application without waiting a year, but must be proved.
只有法院命令才能解除合法婚姻，在卑诗省只有卑诗省最高法院可以判决离婚；宗教或文化仪式上的离婚不能解除加拿大法律意义上的婚姻。最常见的理由是分居满一年（期间可尝试和好最多 90 天而不必重新计算），且至少一方在申请前已在卑诗省居住满 12 个月。若以通奸或身体、精神虐待为由，可不必等满一年，但必须举证。
If the spouses agree in writing on parenting, support and the division of property and debts, they can apply for an uncontested (desk order) divorce: a judge reviews the papers and can grant the divorce without anyone going to court. If they cannot agree, the case proceeds as a contested family claim, starting with a notice of family claim and a response, often a judicial case conference with a judge, and, if needed, a trial.
如果双方就子女养育、扶养费以及财产和债务分割达成书面协议，可申请无争议（书面审理）离婚：法官审阅文件后即可判决离婚，双方不必出庭。如果无法达成一致，则按有争议的家事案件处理：递交家事起诉书和答辩书，通常举行由法官主持的司法案件会议，必要时进入审判。
Traffic tickets and bylaws · 交通罚单与地方法规
The Provincial Court also hears disputes over traffic and other provincial and federal tickets, and municipal bylaw charges. A disputed ticket gets a hearing that works like a criminal case: the person can question witnesses, testify and present evidence. These hearings are usually presided over by judicial justices.
省法院还审理对交通罚单及其他省、联邦罚单以及市政法规控告的异议。对罚单提出异议后会举行听证，其程序类似刑事案件：当事人可以盘问证人、作证并提交证据。这类听证通常由司法治安官主持。
Appeals and judicial review · 上诉与司法复核
| Provincial Court decision · 省法院裁决 | Appeal goes to · 上诉至 |
|---|---|
| Small claims, family, traffic and bylaw · 小额索偿、家事、交通与地方法规 | Supreme Court of B.C. · 卑诗省最高法院 |
| Criminal: summary conviction offences · 刑事：简易程序罪行 | Supreme Court of B.C. · 卑诗省最高法院 |
| Criminal: indictable offences · 刑事：可起诉罪行 | Court of Appeal for B.C. · 卑诗省上诉法院 |
Appeals have strict time limits; in criminal cases, for example, an appeal must be filed within 30 days of the acquittal or sentence. Judicial review is different from an appeal: the Supreme Court of B.C. checks whether a tribunal or decision-maker had the authority to make its decision and followed a fair process, not whether it reached the best answer.
上诉有严格的时限；例如在刑事案件中，须在宣判无罪或判刑之日起 30 天内提出上诉。司法复核与上诉不同：卑诗省最高法院审查的是裁判庭或决策者是否有权作出该决定、程序是否公正，而不是其结论是否最佳。
Appealing to the Court of Appeal for B.C. · 向卑诗省上诉法院上诉
The Court of Appeal does not hold a new trial. It reviews the record of the trial to decide whether the decision was correct in law, and it generally does not hear witnesses or accept new evidence. Most appeals are heard by a division of three justices; a five-justice division may hear especially important cases or reconsider an earlier decision of the Court. Some applications are decided by a single justice in chambers, and that decision can be reviewed by three justices.
卑诗省上诉法院不重新审判案件。它审查初审记录，判断裁决在法律上是否正确，一般不传唤证人，也不接受新证据。大多数上诉由三名法官组成的合议庭审理；特别重要的案件，或需要重新审视本院先前判决时，可由五名法官审理。部分申请由一名法官在内庭裁决，其决定可由三名法官复核。
The main steps for an appellant in a civil appeal are:
民事上诉中，上诉人的主要步骤如下：
Notice of Appeal · 上诉通知: Filed within 30 days of the decision being appealed. If leave to appeal (permission) is needed, the appellant asks for it in the notice and then applies to a single justice. · 须在被上诉裁决作出后 30 天内递交。如需上诉许可，须在通知中说明，并向一名法官提出申请。
Appeal record and transcripts · 上诉记录与庭审笔录: Filed within 60 days of the notice of appeal or of leave being granted. · 须在递交上诉通知或获得许可后 60 天内递交。
Factum and appeal book · 上诉陈述书与上诉卷宗: The factum sets out the facts, the grounds of appeal and the legal argument; it is due within 30 days after the appeal record. · 上诉陈述书列明事实、上诉理由和法律论点，须在递交上诉记录后 30 天内递交。
Hearing · 开庭: The appellant books a hearing date, which must be set within one year of the notice of appeal; the division then allows or dismisses the appeal. · 上诉人预约开庭日期，须在递交上诉通知后一年内确定；合议庭最终裁定上诉成立或驳回。
Criminal appeals follow the Criminal Code and separate criminal appeal rules. Judgments of both B.C. superior courts are published free on the courts' shared website, bccourts.ca. From the Court of Appeal, a further appeal lies only to the Supreme Court of Canada, usually with its leave.
刑事上诉依据《刑法典》和单独的刑事上诉规则。卑诗省两级高等法院的判决书都在共用网站 bccourts.ca 上免费公布。对卑诗省上诉法院的判决不服，只能再上诉至加拿大最高法院，通常须先获得其许可。
8. Resolving Disputes Outside Court · 法庭外的纠纷解决
Alternative dispute resolution (ADR) is an umbrella term for settling disputes without a trial, from informal negotiation to formal, binding arbitration. ADR is usually cheaper and faster than going to court, and the parties can keep matters confidential and choose who helps them. Some provinces require mediation as part of certain lawsuits, but serious and violent crimes stay in the courts, and the courts remain available if ADR fails.
替代性纠纷解决（ADR）是不经审判解决纠纷各种方式的统称，从非正式协商到正式、有约束力的仲裁都包括在内。ADR 通常比诉讼更便宜、更快，双方可以保密，并自行选择协助者。部分省份要求某些诉讼必须经过调解，但严重罪行和暴力犯罪仍由法院处理；如果 ADR 失败，当事人仍可诉诸法院。
| Method · 方式 | How it works · 如何运作 |
|---|---|
| Negotiation · 协商 | The parties settle the issue directly with each other, sometimes with an expert they both choose. · 双方直接协商解决，有时共同聘请一名专家协助。 |
| Mediation · 调解 | A neutral mediator helps the parties reach their own agreement; the mediator does not decide. Mediated agreements generally cannot be appealed. · 中立调解员帮助双方自行达成协议，调解员不作裁决。调解协议一般不能上诉。 |
| Arbitration · 仲裁 | The parties agree that a third party will decide the dispute. Appeals are limited and depend on the agreement and the law. · 双方同意由第三方作出裁决。上诉受到限制，取决于仲裁协议和相关法律。 |
| Sentencing circles · 量刑圆桌会 | Part of the court process in some criminal cases, mostly minor cases involving Indigenous offenders: the offender, victim, their supporters, community members and justice participants discuss the offence and sentencing options. The judge is not bound by the circle's recommendations. · 属于部分刑事案件的法庭程序，多用于涉及原住民罪犯的轻微案件：罪犯、受害人、双方支持者、社区成员和司法人员共同讨论罪行和量刑方案。法官不受圆桌会建议的约束。 |
In criminal matters, less serious charges can sometimes be resolved through alternative measures instead of prosecution: the accused accepts responsibility and, for example, apologizes or pays compensation. The Supreme Court of Canada has also held that judges must consider the unique circumstances of Indigenous offenders when sentencing.
在刑事方面，较轻的控罪有时可以通过替代措施解决而不提起检控：被告人承担责任，例如道歉或支付赔偿。加拿大最高法院也已裁定，法官在量刑时必须考虑原住民罪犯的特殊情况。
Administrative tribunals · 行政裁判庭
Administrative tribunals and boards are decision-making bodies created by a specific law to resolve disputes in one area, such as employment insurance, disability benefits, refugee claims, tenancies or human rights. Like courts, they hear both sides, weigh evidence and make binding decisions, so they are often called "quasi-judicial." But they are set up by governments, belong to the executive branch, and are not part of the court system.
行政裁判庭和委员会是根据某部具体法律设立、专门解决某一领域纠纷的裁决机构，如就业保险、残障福利、难民申请、租务或人权。它们像法院一样听取双方陈述、审查证据并作出有约束力的决定，因此常被称为「准司法机构」。但它们由政府设立，属于行政分支，不属于法院体系。
| Courts · 法院 | Tribunals · 行政裁判庭 | |
|---|---|---|
| Branch · 所属 | Judicial · 司法分支 | Executive, created by statute · 行政分支，由法律设立 |
| Decision-makers · 决策者 | Judges who serve until retirement, with constitutionally protected independence · 法官，任职至退休，独立性受宪法保障 | Members appointed by government, usually for fixed terms, often experts in the field · 政府任命的成员，一般有固定任期，多为该领域专业人士 |
| Scope · 管辖 | Broad · 广泛 | Only what its law assigns · 仅限设立它的法律所规定的事项 |
| Procedure · 程序 | Formal · 正式 | Less formal and faster; many people take part without a lawyer · 较简便快捷，许多人不请律师 |
Tribunals are still part of the wider justice system, because courts supervise them. Through judicial review, a court can check that a tribunal stayed within its legal powers and acted fairly. Decisions of federal tribunals are generally reviewed by the Federal Court or the Federal Court of Appeal; decisions of B.C. tribunals by the Supreme Court of B.C. Some laws also allow a direct appeal to a court.
裁判庭仍属于广义的司法体系，因为它们受法院监督。通过司法复核，法院可以审查裁判庭是否在法定权限内行事、程序是否公正。联邦裁判庭的决定一般由联邦法院或联邦上诉法院复核；卑诗省裁判庭的决定由卑诗省最高法院复核。有些法律还规定可以直接上诉至法院。
| Tribunal · 裁判庭 | What it decides · 处理事项 |
|---|---|
| Immigration and Refugee Board (federal) · 移民及难民局（联邦） | Refugee claims and certain immigration appeals and hearings · 难民申请及部分移民上诉和听证 |
| Social Security Tribunal (federal) · 社会保障裁判庭（联邦） | Appeals about Employment Insurance, Canada Pension Plan and Old Age Security · 就业保险、加拿大退休金计划和老年保障金的上诉 |
| Canadian Human Rights Tribunal (federal) · 加拿大人权裁判庭（联邦） | Discrimination complaints in federally regulated areas · 联邦监管领域的歧视投诉 |
| Civil Resolution Tribunal (B.C.) · 民事解决庭（卑诗省） | An online tribunal: small claims up to $5,000, strata disputes, motor vehicle accident claims, societies and cooperatives, and non-consensual sharing of intimate images. Cases move from negotiation to facilitation to a decision, which can be enforced like a court order. · 线上裁判庭：5,000 加元以下的小额索偿、分契物业纠纷、车祸索赔、社团与合作社纠纷，以及未经同意传播私密影像。案件依次经过协商、调解和裁决，裁决可像法院命令一样执行。 |
| Residential Tenancy Branch (B.C.) · 住宅租务处（卑诗省） | Disputes between landlords and tenants · 房东与租客之间的纠纷 |
| B.C. Human Rights Tribunal · 卑诗省人权裁判庭 | Discrimination complaints under the B.C. Human Rights Code · 依据《卑诗省人权法》的歧视投诉 |
| Workers' Compensation Appeal Tribunal (B.C.) · 工伤赔偿上诉裁判庭（卑诗省） | Appeals of WorkSafeBC decisions · 对 WorkSafeBC 决定的上诉 |
9. The Provincial Court of B.C. in Practice · 卑诗省法院实务
B.C. has three levels of courts of its own: the Provincial Court and the Supreme Court of B.C. are trial courts, and the Court of Appeal for B.C. hears appeals. The Provincial Court is a statutory court created by the Provincial Court Act, so it hears only the matters a law assigns to it, but it handles most cases in the province: adult and youth criminal cases, family matters, small claims from $5,001 to $35,000, and traffic, ticket and bylaw matters.
卑诗省自身有三级法院：省法院和卑诗省最高法院是初审法院，卑诗省上诉法院审理上诉。省法院是根据《省法院法》设立的法定法院，只能审理法律指定的事项，但全省大多数案件都由它处理：成人和青少年刑事案件、家事案件、5,001 至 35,000 加元的小额索偿，以及交通、罚单和地方法规事项。
Who is in the courtroom · 法庭里的人
| Role · 角色 | What they do · 职责 |
|---|---|
| Judge · 法官 | Presides over the case and decides it. · 主持并裁决案件。 |
| Judicial justice · 司法治安官 | Part-time judicial officers who decide bail hearings, search warrant applications, traffic, ticket and bylaw trials, and small claims payment hearings. · 兼职司法官员，负责保释听证、搜查令申请、交通与地方法规审理，以及小额索偿付款听证。 |
| Judicial case manager · 司法案件管理官 | Schedules cases and may handle some first appearances. · 安排案件日程，并可处理部分首次出庭。 |
| Court clerk · 书记员 | Assists the judge, records the proceedings, marks exhibits and swears in witnesses. · 协助法官、记录庭审、标记证物并为证人举行宣誓。 |
| Sheriff · 法警 | Keeps order and security in the courtroom and escorts accused people in custody. · 维持法庭秩序与安全，押解在押被告人。 |
| Crown counsel · 皇家检察官 | Independent prosecutors acting for the public. · 代表公众的独立检察官。 |
| Defence counsel · 辩护律师 | The lawyer for the accused. · 被告人的律师。 |
| Duty counsel · 值班律师 | Legal Aid BC lawyers who give free advice at first appearances and bail hearings. · 卑诗省法律援助机构的律师，在首次出庭和保释听证中提供免费法律意见。 |
In the Provincial Court, judges wear black robes with red bands, and judicial justices wear black robes that may have green bands. Lawyers wear business clothes rather than gowns.
在省法院，法官身穿带红色饰带的黑色法袍，司法治安官身穿黑色法袍，可能带有绿色饰带。律师在省法院穿商务服装，不穿法袍。
Courtroom etiquette · 法庭礼仪
Address a Provincial Court judge as "Your Honour" in court, and a judicial justice or judicial case manager as "Your Worship." · 在法庭上称省法院法官为 「Your Honour」（法官阁下），称司法治安官或司法案件管理官为 「Your Worship」。
Stand when the clerk says "All rise," when you speak, and when the judge speaks to you. · 书记员喊「全体起立」时、自己发言时以及法官对自己说话时，应起立。
Dress neatly, as for an office or a job interview; remove hats (religious headwear excepted), sunglasses and gum. · 穿着整洁，如同上班或面试；进入法庭前脱帽（宗教头饰除外）、摘下墨镜、不嚼口香糖。
Silence phones. Members of the public may not photograph, record or transmit proceedings. · 手机调至静音。公众不得拍照、录音录像或传播庭审内容。
Leave food and drink outside, except water. · 食物和饮料留在法庭外，水除外。
Never hand a document directly to the judge or a witness; give it to the clerk. Don't approach the bench or argue with the judge's decision. · 切勿直接将文件交给法官或证人，应交给书记员。不要走近法官席，也不要与法官争辩其裁决。
Watching court · 旁听庭审
Most court proceedings are open, and anyone is welcome to watch. Daily court lists for criminal and small claims matters are posted on Court Services Online. Some hearings are closed (in camera), and courts can order publication bans; youth cases also protect the identity of young people. Visitors should arrive early and sit quietly in the public gallery.
大多数庭审公开进行，任何人都可以旁听。刑事和小额索偿案件的每日开庭表公布在「法院服务在线」（Court Services Online）。部分听证不公开进行（闭门审理），法院也可以发出禁止发布令；青少年案件也保护未成年人的身份。旁听者应提前到达，在旁听席安静入座。
Glossary · 术语对照
| English | 中文 | Meaning · 含义 |
|---|---|---|
| Accused | 被告人 | The person charged with an offence. · 被控犯罪的人。 |
| Acquittal | 宣判无罪 | A finding at the end of a trial that the accused is not guilty. · 审判结束时裁定被告人无罪。 |
| Affidavit | 宣誓书 | A written statement of facts sworn or affirmed to be true. · 经宣誓或郑重声明为真实的书面事实陈述。 |
| Affirmation | 郑重声明 | A promise to tell the truth without religious reference; same effect as an oath. · 不涉及宗教的诚实承诺，效力与宣誓相同。 |
| Arraignment | 控罪宣读 | The hearing where the charge is read and the accused pleads. · 宣读控罪并由被告人答辩的听证。 |
| Associate judge | 副法官 | A judicial officer of the Supreme Court of B.C. who decides many pre-trial applications in chambers. · 卑诗省最高法院的司法官员，在内庭处理大量庭前申请。 |
| Bail (judicial interim release) | 保释（司法临时释放） | Release of an accused until trial, usually with conditions. · 审判前释放被告人，通常附有条件。 |
| Balance of probabilities | 盖然性占优 | The civil standard of proof: more likely than not. · 民事证明标准：可能性大于不可能性。 |
| Beyond a reasonable doubt | 排除合理怀疑 | The standard of proof the Crown must meet in a criminal case. · 刑事案件中检方必须达到的证明标准。 |
| Chambers | 内庭 | A hearing before a single judge on an application rather than a full trial. · 由一名法官就某项申请进行的听证，而非完整审判。 |
| Claimant / Plaintiff | 索偿人／原告 | The person who starts a civil or small claims case. · 提起民事或小额索偿案件的人。 |
| Contempt of court | 藐视法庭 | Serious disrespect for a court or disobeying its order. · 严重不尊重法庭或违反法庭命令。 |
| Cross-examination | 交叉询问 | Questioning a witness called by the other side. · 询问对方传唤的证人。 |
| Crown counsel | 皇家检察官 | The independent prosecutor. · 独立的检控官。 |
| Default judgment | 缺席判决 | A judgment for the plaintiff when the defendant does not respond in time. · 被告未按时答辩时，法院作出有利于原告的判决。 |
| Disclosure | 证据披露 | The Crown sharing its evidence with the defence. · 检方向辩方提供其持有的证据。 |
| Discharge | 免予定罪 | A finding of guilt without a conviction recorded. · 认定有罪但不记录定罪。 |
| Election (mode of trial) | 审判方式选择 | The accused's choice of court and of judge alone or judge and jury. · 被告人对审理法院及是否采用陪审团的选择。 |
| Examination for discovery | 庭前询问 | Questioning the other party under oath before trial. · 审判前在宣誓后询问对方当事人。 |
| Exhibit | 证物 | An object or document accepted as evidence. · 被接纳为证据的物品或文件。 |
| Factum | 上诉陈述书 | The written argument filed in an appeal. · 上诉时递交的书面法律论证。 |
| In camera | 闭门审理 | A hearing closed to the public and press. · 不对公众和媒体开放的听证。 |
| Indictable offence | 可起诉罪行 | A more serious offence. · 较严重的罪行。 |
| Leave to appeal | 上诉许可 | Permission from a court that is required before some appeals can proceed. · 部分上诉须先获得的法院许可。 |
| Notice of Appeal | 上诉通知 | The document that starts an appeal. · 启动上诉的文件。 |
| Notice of Civil Claim | 民事起诉书 | The document that starts a lawsuit in the Supreme Court of B.C. · 在卑诗省最高法院提起诉讼的文件。 |
| Peace bond | 和平保证令 | A court order with conditions to protect a person from another (Criminal Code s. 810). · 为保护某人免受他人侵害而附加条件的法庭命令（《刑法典》第 810 条）。 |
| Plea | 答辩 | The accused's statement of guilty or not guilty. · 被告人认罪或不认罪的表示。 |
| Precedent | 先例 | An earlier court decision that guides later similar cases. · 指引日后类似案件的先前裁决。 |
| Publication ban | 禁止发布令 | A court order forbidding publication of certain information. · 禁止公开特定信息的法庭命令。 |
| Subpoena | 传票 | An order requiring a person to come to court as a witness. · 要求某人以证人身份出庭的命令。 |
| Summary conviction offence | 简易程序罪行 | A less serious offence with a simpler procedure. · 程序较简便的较轻罪行。 |
| Uncontested (desk order) divorce | 无争议（书面审理）离婚 | A divorce granted on the papers, without a court appearance, when spouses agree on all issues. · 双方就所有问题达成一致时，法院凭文件判决离婚，无须出庭。 |
Sources · 资料来源
Department of Justice Canada, Canada's System of Justice
Department of Justice Canada, The Canadian Court System
Provincial Court of British Columbia, Provincial Court and the Canadian court system
Provincial Court of British Columbia, Steps in a criminal case
Provincial Court of British Columbia, Small claims and Family
Provincial Court of British Columbia, Courtroom procedures, conduct and customs
Provincial Court of British Columbia, Appeals and judicial reviews
Provincial Court of British Columbia, Judicial appointments and education
Provincial Court of British Columbia, Glossary and court jargon
Supreme Court of British Columbia, About the Supreme Court
Court of Appeal for British Columbia, About the Court of Appeal and Overview of the process for appellants
Justice Education Society of BC, Supreme Court BC Online Help Guide (Responding basics, Fast track basics)
Government of B.C., Courts in the criminal justice system
Legal Aid BC, Divorce: ending the marriage
Civil Resolution Tribunal, civilresolutionbc.ca
This guide is for general learning only and is not legal advice. · 本资料仅供一般学习，不构成法律意见。
