Increased use of unqualified interpreters will backfire
PRESS RELEASE
Increased use of unqualified interpreters will backfire
24 January 2014
Professional interpreter organisations are warning that the increased use of unauthorised Tier 3 interpreters in court, whose language skills are below A-level standard, will back-fire, creating delays and wasting tax payers’ money.
Every day cases are being delayed or adjourned because Capita, the Ministry of Justice’s contractor for its language service contract, is failing to provide suitably qualified court interpreters, including a case this week (23 January) at Kingston Crown Court, adjourned until July because an interpreter requested in June 2013 failed to attend on the first day of the trial.
A National Audit Office ‘Progress Update’ (published 22 January) on the Ministry of Justice’s language services contract says the proportion of Tier 3 interpreters working in courts has increased from 3% in October 2012 to 10% in November 2013. Tier 3 interpreters have basic level training and no formal qualifications. They were used in over 1,400 cases in November. In 2013 the Ministry of Justice improved the contract terms for Capita but its performance targets are still not being met.
Of the 23 courts the National Audit Office questioned who used Tier 3 interpreters, 91% told the National Audit Office they booked them because Capita, the Ministry of Justice’s contractor for the service, could not provide the level of interpreter they wanted. Over half said they didn’t seek approval from the judge before making the booking.
Read the full press release here.
