Capita interpreter 'on holiday' and 'unaware' as multi-million pound case is halted
The following record of default was submitted on http://rpsi.name/default/
Case details:
Date: 23/5/2013
Place: Manchester Crown Court
Interpreter: Dutch interpreter (Booked through Capita)
Case: Seale and others
Noticed by: AH, Barrister *Full name withheld by Linguist Lounge*
What happened:
The above was a sentencing hearing in a multi-million pound drug importation case. There were 13 counsel and 10 defendants present, one of the defendants needed an interpreter due to limited English. Due to the seriousness of the case, the court booked an interpreter for two days well in advance, on the 9th of May. Nobody showed up.
Comments:
There were over 50 people in the court, mostly police officers, families, lawyers and the press. Furious Judge ordered Capita to explain themselves as the sentencing hearing could not go ahead without an interpreter. Capita rep explained that their interpreter was on holiday until the day before and hadn't been told about the hearing on the 23rd. The nearest interpreter on their database was 102 miles away and there was nobody available until the 24th.
This is yet another clear example of dereliction of duty that causes delays for professionals and courts, risking adjournment for months, and verges on contempt of court.