Other court interpreter stories
Ian Vesey · September 13, 2013 - 1:27 pm
Birmingham Magistrates 11/9/13
2nd Bail app for a lady who was RIC to Foston hall. We couldn’t book the video link in Court at the first hearing as Foston only take bookings up till Noon. I ascertained the day before that the case was in Court 13 at 10.15. I duly arrive and Court 13 is shut. Go to the general office who confirm it’s in Court 13. Go back. Go to Court 17 which is the normal video link court. On way see head Usher who tells me the Usher for 14 is covering 13. Go to 14 see Usher who says know’s nothing about the case 13 is definitely shut no mags etc. It’s now nearly 10.15 so i go back down to general office which is understaffed and a large queue has formed. I ring listing and eventually get through. Am put on hold. Eventually, told that the case is to be in 14. I go to 14 where the legal adviser is receiving a call telling her about the case. The Court file follows me in. The CPS borrow my AI ! By this time the necessary interpreter hasn’t arrived either ! Listing say they’ll ring ALS who of course have a 3 hour time allowance. Foston Hall video link is open with a chair on view. There are a few calls put through to them to ask them to bring the defendant in. A hand comes through the door and reaches for the light switch and the light goes out !! You couldn’t make this up. We eventually get through and the defendant is brought in and somewhat bemused put over till the next day. This was the day Failing was at the Birmingham Magistrates as well shouting about digital working. So a delay of 24 hours as the case went over to the next day.
---
Rob Simpson · September 11, 2013 - 7:23 pm
Winchester crown court
11/9
R v Bagocuis & Gribenas
Listed for a video link preliminary hearing and bail application.
The court had failed to book an interpreter.
Delayed until 17/9 and further remanded in custody.
---
Jeffrey Israel · September 3, 2013 - 3:08 pm
ILCC – 2 interpreters needed (one for each side), neither attended, trial adjourned from Sep till Jan – vulnerable witnesses and defendant in custody
---
Stephen Spence · August 29, 2013 - 8:07 pm
(1). Delay – bloody months.
(2) Ipswich CC
This was a re-trial, the original trial having been stopped because of a problem with an interpreter. It was always listed 5-6 days (3 defendants charged with section 18). Listed for Wednesday morning start. CPS had been unable to locate a witness who had not been warned. Pros wanted to consider whether to apply for a witness summons. Further, when the original trial was abandoned the Recorder had suggested that certain investigations be undertaken. Pros counsel needed to find out what, if anything had been done (answer – nothing). Most of the morning was spent undertaking enquiries as to where witness might be (answer-don’t know) and whether the other enquiries had been undertaken – see above. Court then informed us that we would not be sitting for half a day on Friday. Judge already had 5 matters listed for final review on Wed afternoon and could not rule out other cases during the course of the trial. Court further informed us that Judge had a sensitive fixed sex case for next Wednesday and needed to be available for that. Enquiries revealed no other judge available for our case. Could we finish a 5-6 day case with interpreters, 3 defendants….etc within four available working days? When we couldn’t guarantee it we were then stood out until December. Court clerk then queried the reason for us being stood out as ‘want of court time’.
---
Jeffrey Lamb · August 20, 2013 - 7:20 pm
Kingston Crown Court for a 2-day Robbery trial with an Afghan Defendant. No Pashtun Interpreter arrived for the first day and the victim was told he only needed to attend on the second day. A whole day wasted! On day 2, the Interpreter arrived at 10:45!
[Copied by RPSI Linguist Lounge with permission from the South Eastern Circuit, http://courtdelays.wordpress.com/]