專八人文知識精講（11）英國法律與司法機構

There is no single legal system in the United Kingdom. A feature common to all systems of law in the United Kingdom is that there is no complete code. The sources of law include (1) statutes; (2) a large amount of "unwritten" or common law; (3) equity law; (4) European Community. Another common feature is the distinction made between criminal law and civil law.
聯合王國不實行完全統一的法律制度。聯合王國所有法律制度的一個共同特點是沒有以部完整的法典。法典來源包括：（1）成文法；（2）大量的"不成文法"或習慣法；（3）衡平法；（4）歐共體法。另一個共同的特點是刑法和民法之間的區別。

I．Criminal Proceedings
刑事訴訟程序

1. In England and Wales, once the police have charged a person with a criminal offence, the crown Prosecution Service assumes control of the case reviews the evidence to decide whether to prosecute.
在英格蘭和威爾士，一旦警察指控某人犯有刑事罪，皇家檢察總署就要接管此案，并獨立地審核證據以決定是否起訴。

2. In Britain all criminal trial are held in open count because the criminal law presumes the innocence of the accused until he has been proved guilty beyond reasonable doubt. The prosecution and the defense get equal treatment. No accused person has to answer the question of the police before trial. He is not compelled to give evidence in count. Every accused person has the right to employ a legal adviser to conduct his defense. If he can not afford to pay, he may be granted aid at public expense. In criminal trial by jury, the judge passes sentence, but the jury decided the issue of guilt or innocence. The jury composed of 12 or ordinary people. If the verdict of the jury can not be unanimous, it must be a majority.
在英國，所有的刑事審判都在法院公開進行。因為刑法認為，在消除合理懷疑證明被告有罪之前，他是無辜的。原告與被告同樣平等，審判時被告不必回答警察的問題，不許強迫被告提供證據。每位被告都有權雇傭律師為其辯護。如果他不能支付律師費，可以用公用費用提供幫助。在由陪審團進行的刑事審判中，法官判刑，但陪審團決定是否有罪。陪審團一般由12人組成。如果陪審團不能做出一致判決，也必須是多數決定。

3.A verdict of " not guilt" means acquittal for the accused, who can never again be charged with that specific crime.
"無罪"裁決意味著被告無罪，并且永遠不得再以此罪名對其指控。

II. Criminal Courts
刑事法庭

1. Criminal Courts in England and Wales
英格蘭和威爾士的刑事法庭

Magistrates' Courts which try summary offences and "either way" offences. A magistrates' court, which is open to the public and the media, usually consists of three unpaid "lay" magistrates-known as justices of the peace-who are advised on point of law and procedure by a legally qualified assistant. A Magistrates' court sits without a jury.
治安（警事）法庭，負責審理判決犯罪，也審理"任意方式"罪行。治安法庭對公眾和媒體公開，通常由三位無薪的"外行"地方官--地方治安官組成，由懂得法律知識的書記員和助手給他們提供法律規定和程序方面的建議。治安法庭審察時沒有陪審團。

Youth Court which try most cases involving people under 18.
青少年法庭，負責審理18歲以下青年的大多數案件。

The Crown Court tries the most serious offences and 'either way" offences referred to it by magistrates. The Crown Court is presided over by High Court judges, full-time circuit Judges and part-time Recorders England and Wales are divided into six circuits for the purpose of hearing criminal case. Each circuit is divided into areas containing one or more centers of High Court and Crown Court.
皇家刑事法庭。負責審理最嚴重的罪行和由地方法官提交的"任意方式"罪行。皇家刑事法庭由高級法院法官，全職巡回法官和兼任刑事法官主持。為審理刑事案，英格蘭和威爾士被分為六個巡回區，每個巡回區又分區域，每個區域有一個或多個高級法庭和皇家刑事法庭。

2. Criminal courts in Scotland
蘇格蘭的刑事法庭

There are three criminal courts in Scotland.（1）the High Court of Justiciary;(2) the sheriff court;(3) the district court. Scotland has two types of criminal procedure, know as solemn procedure and summary procedure. In solemn procedure, a defendant is tried by a judge sits without a jury.
蘇格蘭有三種刑事法院：（1）高級法院；（2）郡法院；（3）區法院。英格蘭有兩種刑事訴訟：莊重訴訟和即決訴訟。莊重訴訟里，被告由陪審團和法官審理。在即決訴訟中，法官獨自審理，不用陪審團。

3. Criminal courts in Northern Ireland
北愛爾蘭的刑事法庭

Cases involving minor summary offences are heard by magistrates' courts presided over by a full-time legally qualified resident magistrate. County courts are primarily civil law courts. The Crown Court deals with criminal trails on indictment.
涉及輕微即決犯罪的案件由治安法庭聽審，法庭由全職的法律合格的常駐治安法官主持。郡法庭主要是民事法庭。皇家刑事法庭根據起訴進行刑事審判。

（責任編輯：liushengbao）