Courts forced to get by as no interpreters are provided
A report submitted by an observer: An ALS Tamil interpreter had been booked for 11 am on 20/08/12 at Inner London Crow Court but didn’t turn up. At 11.31 am the judge decided to go ahead with the hearing. The solicitor explained that the defendant was now living in Liverpool and had to travel to London on purpose for the hearing, he agreed with going ahead without an interpreter.
It’s a domestic violence case. The trial was booked for November 19th and a Tamil interpreter will be requested.
Cases like this don't get noticed just by solicitors or observers. Reporters publish them and judges speak out as in this story published by the BBC only a couple of weeks ago:
"A 12-year-old boy who is about 4ft tall walks into the court with his father. He wears a blue and pink checked shirt and Hawaiian print shorts with boating shoes.
He is accused of being found in possession of six items of stolen clothing on 15 February at Euston Square Station in north-west London.
"I've just literally been handed this case," says the prosecutor. "I understand he had a Romanian interpreter at the police station."
No-one has been booked to interpret for his court appearance - already delayed since February - so the case is adjourned until an interpreter can come.
"Delay is an enemy to justice," District Judge Snow says. "This is hopelessly inadequate." Adding that delays increase the chances of children being "traumatised and criminalised".
The boy later pleads guilty."
