与汉语相比，在英语里，尤其是在法律英语里，被动语态（Passive Voice）用得相当多。一般而言，在没有必要说出动作发出者，不愿意说出动作发出者，或者无法说出动作发出者的情况下，英语都用被动语态表示。汉语虽然也有被动句，但它的使用范围和频率远不如英语被动语态。这就是说，并不是所有的英语被动语态都可以用汉语的被动式来翻译。根据“翻译即翻译意思”（Translation means translating meaning）这一原则，翻译英语被动语态，不必拘泥于表现其被动形式，更多的是要考虑用地道的汉语表达方式译出其意思。凡可以用被动式自然流畅地翻译英语被动句的，不妨译成汉语被动句；否则就得用各种形式的主动句加以处理，使译文既忠实于原句的意思，又符合汉语的表达习惯。
1、英语被动句译成汉语被动句
一般来说，凡以“by somebody”明确标明动作发出者、或没有“by somebody”而动作发出者不言自明的被动句，可借助汉语里表示被动意义的词如“被”、“由”、“受”、“得到”、“予以”等译成被动句：
(1) Heads of federal departments are named by the President, and judges are either elected directly by the people or are appointed by elected officials.
联邦政府各部部长由总统任命，法官由任命直接选举，或者由选举出来的官员任命。
(2) This Contract shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the People’s Republic of China.
本合同受中华人民共和国法律管辖并依其解释。
(3) If any of the provisions of this Agreementis held invalid or unenforceable and unless the invalidity or unenforceability thereof does substantial violation to the underlying intent and sense of the remainder of this Agreement, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect in any way the validity and enforceability of of any other provisions of this Agreement.
如果本协议任何条款被认定为无效或不可执行，除非该等无效或不可执行性实质性地违法本协议的基本意向或本协议其余部分的意义，该等无效或不可执行性不得影响本协议任何其他条款的有效性或可执行性。
(4) If the dispute cannot be resolved by negotiations within thirty (30) days after one Party has issued notice to the other Party requesting the commencement of such negotiations, then either Party may submit it to the Singapore International Arbitration Center for arbitration in accordance with the UNCITRAL rules of arbitration.
如果一方向另一方发出要求就争议开始进行谈判的书面通知后三十（30）日内，争议未能得到解决，则任何一方均可将争议提交新加坡国际仲裁中心，由仲裁机构根据其时有效的联合国际贸易法委员会的仲裁规则进行仲裁。
2、英语被动句译成汉语主动句
由于汉语被动句用得较少，因此，在许多情况下，用主动句翻译英语被动句更符合汉语的表达习惯。一种情况是，将以by引起的动作发出者变换成汉语句子的主语；另一种情况是直接将英语被动句译成汉语主动句。
A．用动作发出者作主语
(1) The plant, machinery an equipment, raw materials, components and the Products shall be insured by JVC for adequate replacement value against fire, storm, tempest, accident, flood, theft and other risks which may destroy or diminish the value of the Products or which may render the Products unfit for consumption.
合营公司应为厂房、机器、原材料、部件和产品投保，一旦发生火灾、暴风雨、事故、水灾、盗窃和可能损害或降低产品的价值或使产品不适用于消费的其他风险，保险获得赔付应足以重置该财产。
(2) Confidential Information must be kept by the receiving Party in a secure place with access limited to only such Party’s employees, contractors, or agents who need to know such information for the purposes of this Agreement and who have similarly agreed to keep such information confidential pursuant to a written confidentiality agreement which reflects the terms hereof.
收受方必须将机密信息保存在安全的地方，可以接触该等信息的人，仅限于该方为本协议之目的需要知道该等信息、且已按照一份反映本条条款的书面保密协议同样同意对该等信息进行保密的雇员、承包商或代理人。
(3) There is no provision of the Company’s Articles of Association or constitutional documents and no provision of any existing contract and agreement binding on it which has been or would be contravened by the execution and delivery of this Agreement or by the performance by the Company of any of the terms hereof.
公司签署和交付本协议或履行本协议的任何条款，不违反、亦不会违反公司的章程或组织文件的任何规定和对公司约束力的任何现有的合同和协议的规定。
B．直接译成主动句
(4) We both believe that through vigilance and strength, in your words, a war can be postponed, and in our words, war can be avoided.
我们都认为，有了警惕和实力，用你们的话来说，就可以推迟战争；用我们的话来说，就可以避免战争。
(5) This Agreement is executed in Chinese. If necessary, it may be translated into other languages.
本协议以中文文本签署。如有必要，本协议可译成其他文字。
(6) The two arbitrators shall be selected within thirty (30) days after giving or receiving of the request for arbitration.
两名仲裁员应在发出或收到仲裁员要求后三十（30）天内选定。
(7) The Non-Disposing Party shall arrange the valuation, which shall be completed within three (3) months after the delivery of the Acceptance Notice.
非转让方应对评估做出安排，评估应在送交接受通知之日后三（3）个月内完成。
(8) Except as provided herein and unless otherwise specified in writing, all Confidential Information must be returned to the disclosing Party or destroyed after the receiving Party’s need for it has expired.
除非本协议有规定或另有书面规定，一切机密信息在收受方所需要的使用期届满后必须退还披露方或销毁。
英语被动句译成汉语主动句，是由汉语表达方式决定的。凡是难以或不宜用汉语被动形式表达的英语被动语态，都应当译成汉语主动句。
