藐视法庭是英美法系国家和地区的常见罪行，一般用作保护法庭的庄严，惟藐视法庭的内容并无详细界定，部分原则常与知情权及言论自由相违背。情节严重者三年以下有期徒刑。

在英美法术语中，“藐视法庭”常表达为“contempt of court”，详见其英文注解：

an act or failure to act that violates a court order , impedes the functioning of the court, or impairs the authority of the court. Contempt may be "direct" (i.e., in the immediate view and presence of the court),or "indirect" (i.e., outside the immediate view and presence of the court).

Contempt of court is subject to civil or criminal contempt sanctions, both of which can involve fines and/or jail terms. Civil contempt sanctions are generally imposed to compel a contemnor to comply with the court's directives. Criminal contempt sanctions are generally imposed to punish past misconduct.

【双语例句】

余留事项特别法庭的任务是审判仍然在逃的唯一被告强尼·保罗·科罗马，除非这一案件须移交本国管辖，余留事项特别法庭将维护和保管档案，向证人和 受害者提供保护，对国家起诉机关提出的举证请求给予答复，监督刑罚的执行工 作，审查定罪量刑和无罪释放情况，提起藐视法庭诉讼程序，为在余留事项特别 法庭进行诉讼提供辩护律师和法律援助，对国家当局提出的赔偿要求给予答复， 并防止一罪二审。

The Residual Special Court will be mandated to try the only remaining indictee at large, Johnny Paul Koroma, if the case is not transferred to national jurisdiction, preserve and manage the archives, provide protection and support to witnesses and victims, respond to requests for access to evidence by national prosecution authorities, supervise enforcement of sentences, review convictions and acquittals; conduct contempt-of-court proceedings, provide defence counsels and legal aid for the conduct of proceedings before the Residual Special Court, respond to requests from national authorities with respect to claims for compensation, and prevent double jeopardy.