Translation guide
A bailiff is a court officer or legal official with various roles depending on the legal system. In Japanese contexts, the closest equivalents are court enforcement officers, court clerks, or security personnel. The exact translation depends on the specific duty.
The person who executes court orders, such as seizing assets or evicting tenants.
A court enforcement officer who carries out civil judgments, including attachment of property and evictions. This is the closest equivalent to a bailiff in common law systems.
執行官が立ち退きを執行した。
The bailiff carried out the eviction.
Historical term for a bailiff or process server under the old Japanese court system. Still understood but now replaced by 執行官.
執達吏が差し押さえに来た。
The bailiff came to seize the property.
The person who keeps order during court proceedings, announces the judge's entry, and handles prisoners.
A court attendant or usher who maintains order in the courtroom. In Japan, this role is often performed by court clerks or security staff rather than a dedicated bailiff.
廷吏が裁判官の入廷を告げた。
The bailiff announced the judge's entry.
Literally 'court security guard'. In modern Japanese courts, security personnel handle physical order, but they are not called bailiffs. Use this when referring to the security function.
裁判所の警備員が傍聴人を静かにさせた。
The bailiff told the spectators to be quiet.
The person who delivers court documents to parties involved in a case.
A process server who delivers legal documents. In Japan, this is often done by court clerks or postal service, but 送達吏 is the specific term.
送達吏が訴状を被告に届けた。
The bailiff served the complaint to the defendant.
Since 執行官 may also serve documents, you can use it and clarify the role. Alternatively, describe the action: 書類を送達する (serve documents).
執行官が令状を送達した。
The bailiff served the warrant.
A bailiff in medieval England or similar contexts, managing a lord's estate.
While 執事 usually means 'butler' or 'steward', in historical contexts it can refer to a bailiff managing an estate. Use with caution and provide context.
中世の荘園では、執事が領主の代わりに管理を行った。
On the medieval manor, the bailiff managed the estate on behalf of the lord.
In historical or foreign fiction, the English term 'bailiff' may be borrowed as バイリフ, but it requires explanation.
彼は領主に仕えるバイリフ（執事）だった。
He was a bailiff (steward) serving the lord.
The English word 'bailiff' covers several distinct roles that are handled by different officials in Japan. Always consider the specific duty before choosing a translation.
執行官 enforces civil judgments (seizure, eviction), while 廷吏 maintains courtroom order. In the U.S., a bailiff often does both, but in Japan these are separate roles.