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.
The courthouse is near the station.
That building is the courthouse.
Refers specifically to the courtroom itself, the room where trials are held, rather than the whole building.
Please turn off your cell phone before entering the courtroom.
Referring to a local courthouse, often for smaller civil or criminal matters.
A courthouse dealing with family matters such as divorce, child custody, and juvenile cases.
Family court; handles domestic relations and juvenile delinquency cases.
Divorce mediation takes place at the family court.
Higher-level courthouses for appeals or constitutional matters.
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.
The trial will be held at the district court.
Supreme Court; the highest court in Japan, located in Tokyo.
The Supreme Court can make constitutional judgments.