Solicitor gets a Lithuanian speaker from the street to interpret in court
This is what I learnt today. In one of the Magistrates' Court in London the Lithuanian interpreter who had been booked did not turn up. The solicitor then rushed out to look for someone outside the court and found a lady, asking her if she spoke Lithuanian.
She was then taken to the Court to interpret for the defendant.
The most annoying thing is that the court did allow this hearing to go ahead.
Until 30th January 2012 when ALS took over court interpreter bookings the fact that you held a recognised interpreting qualification was not enough for you to go and interpret in court. Experience and skills were also an important part of what was regarded as the highest professional level. Without a suitable qualification, the very idea of working in a Court of Justice was simply inconceivable.
How can the Ministry of Justice and the HMCTS possibly explain this overnight drop in their requirements for court interpreting? Do walls have ears? Do people have eyes?
