Translation guide
A courthouse is a building where legal cases are heard. In Japan, this is typically a 裁判所 (saibansho), but the specific term depends on the type of court and context.
The physical building where trials and legal proceedings take place.
The standard word for a courthouse or court building. It can refer to the institution as well as the physical location.
裁判所は駅の近くにあります。
The courthouse is near the station.
あの建物が裁判所です。
That building is the courthouse.
Refers specifically to the courtroom itself, the room where trials are held, rather than the whole building.
法廷に入る前に携帯電話の電源を切ってください。
Please turn off your cell phone before entering the courtroom.
Referring to a local courthouse, often for smaller civil or criminal matters.
Summary court; handles minor civil and criminal cases. Often located in smaller cities or wards.
この件は簡易裁判所で扱われます。
This case will be handled at the summary court.
A courthouse dealing with family matters such as divorce, child custody, and juvenile cases.
Family court; handles domestic relations and juvenile delinquency cases.
離婚の調停は家庭裁判所で行います。
Divorce mediation takes place at the family court.
Higher-level courthouses for appeals or constitutional matters.
High court; handles appeals from district and family courts. There are eight in Japan.
控訴は高等裁判所に提起されました。
The appeal was filed at the high court.
When you want to say 'I'm going to the courthouse,' you can simply say 裁判所に行きます. It's understood as the building unless context suggests the institution.
裁判員 (saiban-in) refers to the lay judge system, not the courthouse itself. If you're talking about jury duty, use 裁判員制度 or 裁判員に選ばれる.
District court; the main court of first instance for most cases. Each prefecture has one or more.
地方裁判所で裁判が行われます。
The trial will be held at the district court.
Supreme Court; the highest court in Japan, located in Tokyo.
最高裁判所は憲法判断を行うことができます。
The Supreme Court can make constitutional judgments.