NAATI CCL Japanese Legal & Justice Practice Dialogues — Worked Examples
Legal Japanese interpreting presents formidable challenges with formal court language that differs sharply from everyday speech. Kanji compounds such as 被告人 (hikokunin, defendant) and 黙秘権 (mokuhiken, right to silence) carry precise legal weight that must be rendered exactly. Keigo usage intensifies in courtroom settings, with judges employing the highest honorific registers while witnesses use humble forms. Sentence-final particles like よ and ね that soften or emphasize statements have no direct English equivalents, yet they signal speaker intent critical to legal proceedings. The passive voice is heavily employed in Japanese legal texts — 起訴された (was prosecuted) — requiring interpreters to determine whether English active or passive voice better preserves the original meaning and attribution of responsibility in witness statements and judicial directions.
7 practice dialogues
Police Statement — Car Accident
This dialogue is between a male driver and a Police Officer, Senior Constable Williams. The driver was involved in a car accident and is giving a police statement at the scene.
Good afternoon. I'm Senior Constable Williams. I need to take a statement from you regarding the accident that occurred this morning on Parramatta Road. Can you tell me what happened?
Model interpretation
こんにちは。上級巡査のウィリアムズです。今朝パラマッタロードで起きた事故について、あなたから調書を取る必要があります。何があったか教えてください。
パラマッタロードを東に向かって運転していたら、相手の車が赤信号を無視して助手席側にぶつかってきました。あっという間で何もできませんでした。
Model interpretation
I was driving east on Parramatta Road when the other car ran a red light and hit my passenger side. It happened so fast I couldn't do anything.
What speed were you travelling at when the collision occurred?
制限速度の時速50キロくらいでした。私の信号は青でした。それは絶対に確かです。
Were there any passengers in your vehicle? And was anyone injured?
妻が助手席にいました。窓に頭をぶつけて、救急車で病院に運ばれました。私は首の痛みがありますが、深刻ではありません。
I'm sorry to hear about your wife. We've obtained CCTV footage from a nearby business which should help establish what happened. Did you exchange details with the other driver?
はい、名前と免許証番号をもらいました。ただ、彼はとても緊張していて、自分のせいではないと繰り返していました。保険の詳細は持っていなかったそうです。
That's fine. We'll follow up with him separately. I'll need you to sign this statement once I've typed it up. You'll also need to report the accident to your insurance company within twenty-four hours.
警察の事故報告書のコピーはもらえますか?保険会社が必要としています。
You can request a copy from our station after five business days. There's a small fee for the report. I'd also recommend taking photos of the damage to both vehicles if you haven't already.
現場で写真を撮りました。ありがとうございます。他に何かする必要はありますか?
Victim Support — Assault
This dialogue is between a woman who is a victim of assault and a Support Worker from the Victim Support Service. The support worker is helping the woman understand her rights and available support.
Hello, my name is Sarah and I'm from the Victim Support Service. I'm here to help you understand your options after the incident. Everything you tell me is confidential. How are you feeling?
Model interpretation
こんにちは、被害者支援サービスのサラです。事件後のあなたの選択肢を理解するお手伝いをします。お話しいただく内容はすべて秘密厳守です。お加減はいかがですか?
まだ動揺しています。昨夜、駅の外で襲われました。男にバッグを奪われて地面に押し倒されました。手と膝を擦りむきました。
Model interpretation
I'm still shaken up. I was attacked outside the train station last night. A man grabbed my bag and pushed me to the ground. I scraped my hands and knees.
I'm very sorry that happened to you. Have you reported the incident to the police?
はい、今朝警察署に行きました。調書を取ってもらい、防犯カメラを確認すると言っていました。
Good. You've taken an important step. I want to make sure you know about victim support services — counselling, legal assistance, and financial help are all available free of charge.
それは知りませんでした。電車に乗るのが怖くて今日は仕事を休みました。どうやって申請しますか?
I can help you with the application. You'll need the police report number, any medical records, and evidence of lost income. The process takes about three to six months.
長い時間ですね。夜外出するのもかなり不安になっています。それは普通ですか?
Absolutely. What you're feeling is a very common response to being a victim of crime. I can refer you to a free counselling service that specialises in trauma. Would you like that?
はい、それは助かると思います。家族は早く立ち直れと言いますが、事件のことが頭から離れません。
Please don't feel pressured to recover on anyone else's timeline. Trauma affects everyone differently. The counselling service can provide strategies to help you manage your anxiety and process what happened.
ありがとう、サラ。こんなにたくさんの支援があると知りませんでした。一人じゃないと感じられます。
Traffic Infringement — Speeding Fine
This dialogue is between a man and a Council Officer. The man has received a speeding fine and has come in to discuss his options for appeal or payment.
Good morning. You've come in to discuss a speeding fine you received on Canterbury Road last month. I have your file here. How can I help?
Model interpretation
おはようございます。先月カンタベリーロードで受けた速度違反の切符について相談に来られたんですね。ファイルがあります。どうされましたか?
切符に異議を申し立てたいです。そんなに速く走っていたとは思いません。カメラが間違っていたはずです。
Model interpretation
I want to dispute the fine. I don't believe I was going that fast. The camera must have made an error.
The speed camera recorded your vehicle travelling at seventy-two kilometres per hour in a sixty zone. The cameras are regularly calibrated and tested. Do you have any evidence to support your claim?
ないですが、交通の流れに合わせて走っていました。みんなあの速度で走っていました。
Unfortunately, the fact that other vehicles may have been speeding doesn't provide grounds for dismissal. However, you do have several options available to you.
どんな選択肢ですか?罰点を失うと困ります。仕事で免許が必要なんです。
You can pay the fine in full — three hundred and thirty dollars plus three demerit points. Or you can request a review, or elect to have it heard in court.
法廷に行くとどうなりますか?もっと悪くなる可能性はありますか?
In court, a magistrate could impose the same penalty, reduce it, or increase it. With a good driving record and genuine explanation, a reduced penalty is possible.
今まで一度も違反切符をもらったことがありません。それは有利に働きますか?
A clean driving record helps. You could also write to the revenue office requesting a caution instead of a fine. Include your driving history and any special circumstances.
まず手紙を試してみます。選択肢をわかりやすく説明してくれてありがとうございます。
Family Court — Custody Mediation
This dialogue is between a father and a Family Court Mediator. The father is attending family dispute resolution mediation regarding custody arrangements for his two children.
Good morning. I'm the family dispute resolution mediator. Before we begin, I want to explain that my role is neutral — I don't take sides or make decisions for you.
Model interpretation
おはようございます。家事紛争解決の調停人です。始める前に、私の役割は両当事者がお子さんの生活環境について合意に達するお手伝いをすることです。どちらの味方もしません。ご理解いただけますか?
はい、でも元パートナーが何も合理的なことに同意しないのが心配です。彼女は子供たちを連れて州外に引っ越したいと言っています。
Model interpretation
Yes, but I'm worried my ex-partner won't agree to anything reasonable. She wants to move interstate with our children.
I understand your concern. We'll discuss all proposals openly. The focus must always be on what's in the best interest of the children. How old are your children?
息子が8歳、娘が5歳です。二人とも学校に通っていて、友達もみんなここにいます。州外に引っ越せば大きな混乱になります。
Those are valid concerns. In our session today, both parties will have an opportunity to present their views. If we can't reach an agreement, you may need to apply to the Family Court for orders.
裁判の手続きはどのくらいかかりますか?費用はいくらですか?
Court proceedings can take twelve to eighteen months and legal costs can run into tens of thousands. Mediation is faster, cheaper, and gives you both more control over the outcome.
彼女が調停を拒否したらどうなりますか?とても非協力的です。
Mediation requires both parties to participate voluntarily. However, you generally need a certificate from mediation before filing a court application. There are some exceptions for urgent matters.
裁判所は彼女が子供たちを連れて引っ越すのを止められますか?
The court can make orders about where children live and how much time they spend with each parent. In most cases, the court prefers arrangements where children have meaningful relationships with both parents.
मैं बच्चों के लिए सबसे अच्छा चाहता हूँ। बस उन्हें खोना नहीं चाहता।
That's completely understandable. Let's see what we can achieve in today's session. I'll bring your ex-partner in now.
Tenancy Dispute — Bond Return
This dialogue is between a woman and a Tribunal Member. The woman is at a hearing to get her rental bond returned after her landlord made deductions she considers unfair.
Good morning. This hearing is regarding your application for the return of your rental bond. You're claiming the full amount of two thousand one hundred and sixty dollars. Can you explain your case?
Model interpretation
おはようございます。本件は賃貸保証金の全額2,160ドルの返還申請に関する審理です。あなたの主張を説明してください。
3年間住んで、家賃は毎月きちんと払っていました。退去時にアパート全体をきれいに掃除しましたが、家主がカーペットと壁に損傷があると主張しています。
Model interpretation
I lived there for three years and always paid rent on time. When I moved out, I cleaned the property thoroughly. The landlord is deducting six hundred dollars for carpet and wall marks.
Do you have photos of the property when you moved in and when you moved out?
はい、入居日と鍵を返した日に写真を撮りました。通常の経年劣化を考慮すれば、状態はほぼ同じでした。
The landlord's agent claims there are stains on the bedroom carpet and marks on the walls. The agent is requesting eight hundred dollars for carpet cleaning and repainting. What's your response?
入居時にカーペットはすでに5年使われていて、壁の跡は普通のフック穴です。賃貸法では、通常の経年劣化について借主に請求することはできません。
That's correct. Normal wear and tear is expected over a three-year tenancy. Do you have the original condition report from when you moved in?
はい、ここにあります。カーペットにすでにある程度の摩耗があり、壁にも前の住人による軽い跡があったと記載されています。
Thank you. I'll review both the condition reports. The landlord's agent will now present their evidence. After that, I'll make a decision.
判決が有利に出た場合、保証金はどのくらいで返ってきますか?
If I order the bond to be returned, it typically takes ten to fourteen business days to process through the rental bonds authority. The decision is binding on both parties.
ありがとうございます。これが解決するまで3か月待ちました。ただ公正な結果を求めているだけです。
Small Claims Tribunal — Unpaid Invoice
This dialogue is between a man and a Tribunal Member at a small claims hearing. The man is claiming three thousand dollars in unpaid invoices from a client.
This hearing concerns your claim for three thousand dollars in unpaid invoices. Please state your case.
Model interpretation
本審理は未払い請求書3,000ドルの請求に関するものです。あなたの主張を述べてください。
フリーランスのグラフィックデザイナーです。ある会社の仕事を完了しましたが、最終請求書の支払いを拒否されました。
Model interpretation
I'm a freelance graphic designer. I completed work for a company but they refused to pay the final invoice.
Do you have a written contract or agreement for the work?
はい、署名済みの契約書、メールのやり取り、納品物があります。クライアントはすべての作業を承認しました。
Has the respondent given any reason for non-payment?
品質に満足していないと言われましたが、その不満は請求書の期日を過ぎてから初めて言い出しました。しかも、自社のウェブサイトで作品を使っています。
That's relevant. If they've used the work, it suggests acceptance. Is the respondent present today?
いいえ、来ていません。審理の通知は書留で送りました。
I can proceed in their absence. Based on your evidence, the contract and acceptance seem clear.
品質が悪いと言われたので別のデザイナーを雇い直す必要がありました。その費用も請求できますか?
You can claim reasonable costs directly related to the dispute. I'll consider that in my decision. Do you have receipts?
はい、すべての領収書があります。ありがとうございます。
Legal Aid — Free Consultation
This dialogue is between a woman and a Legal Aid Lawyer. The woman is attending a free legal consultation about a dispute with her employer over unpaid wages.
Welcome to Legal Aid. I'm a duty lawyer and I can provide free initial advice today. What's your legal issue?
Model interpretation
リーガルエイドへようこそ。当番弁護士です。今日は無料で初回の法的助言を提供できます。どのような法的問題ですか?
家主がカビの苦情を出したために立ち退きをさせようとしています。小さい子供が二人います。
Model interpretation
My landlord is trying to evict me because I complained about mould in the apartment. I have two young children.
That sounds like it could be a retaliatory eviction, which is illegal. When did you receive the notice?
先週受け取りました。28日以内に退去するようにと書いてあります。4年間ずっと良い借主でした。
Did you make your mould complaint in writing? And did the landlord acknowledge it?
はい、不動産管理会社にメールを2回送り、保健所にも報告しました。
Good, that documentation is important. Under the Residential Tenancies Act, a landlord cannot evict a tenant in retaliation for making a complaint.
でも別の理由をでっち上げることはできないでしょうか?他の何かを見つけられるかもしれないと怖いです。
They need a valid legal reason. With your history of complaints, any eviction attempt would be scrutinised. I can represent you at the tribunal if needed.
費用はいくらかかりますか?一人親年金で暮らしていて、弁護士を雇う余裕がありません。
Legal Aid representation is free if you meet the eligibility criteria, which I believe you would. I'll lodge the application today.
本当にありがとうございます。これが心配で眠れませんでした。次の面談に何を持って来ればいいですか?
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