Birmingham Crown Court 23/02/2012
Birmingham Crown Court - observation of interpreted cases on 23/02/2012:
These cases were observed by a qualified NRSPI Punjabi/English interpreter of 20 years’ experience.
Court 6
Language: Dari & Farsi
After the interpreter took the oath, he sat down and did not interpret any of the charges that were read out. While the legal representatives of the two sides argued their points, the interpreter was observed interpreting intermittently only. After the conclusion of the case the interpreter came out of the court room and promptly made a phone call, reporting that the hearing took 45 minutes and asking what he should do next?
Court 15
Language: Punjabi (Indian)
The interpreter informed me that he had joined ALS about a fortnight ago and this was his 3rd assignment for them. He used to work for a PCT but had left that employment some time ago. After taking the oath the interpreter sat down and did not interpret anything until he was asked directly by the judge to interpret the proceedings. Thereafter the interpreter interpreted in consecutive mode only about 50% of what was being said in the court room. Was this due to the interpreters inability to interpret in whispered simultaneous mode or a lack of confidence to request the Court to instruct the barristers to slow down?
