句法结构特点（四）： 定语从句的使用

法律英语较之普通英语更准确,限定更严谨所以限定性定语从句,这一必不可少的定语运用得比较普遍,而作为补充、说明、解释性的非限制性定语从句用得比较少。我们现在来观察以下例句。

例句一：

As a lawyer, your goal is to convert the facts from your client’s narrative into a legal claim that states a cause of action, or into a viable defense to plausible legal claims.

[参考译文]作为一名律师,你的目的就是将当事人之陈述变为表明案由的合法要求,或变为对似乎可能的合法要求的活的辩护。(限制性定语从句)

例句二：

Questions concerning matters governed by this convention which are not expressly settled in it are to be settled in conformity with the general principles on which it is based or, in the absence of such principles, in conformity with the law applicable by virtue of the rules of private international law. 

[参考译文]凡本公约未明确解决的属于本公约范围的问题,应按照本公约所依据的一般原则来解决,在没有一般原则的情况下,则应按照国际私法规定适用的法律来解决。(限制性定语从句)

例句三：

The accused has the right to defense, which is guaranteed by the constitution.

[参考译文]被告人有辩护权,这一辩护权受到宪法的保障。(非限制性定语从句)

例句四：

All facts that prove the true circumstances of a case were evidence.

[参考译文]证明案件真实情况的一切事实都是证据。(限制性定语从句)