Menu
15/03/2012
Court Translators Protesting Contract Change
A dispute over the privatisation of court translation services has seen interpreters protesting outside the Ministry of Justice and Commons.
The Professional Interpreters Alliance (PIA) said 60% of its members have chosen to boycott court work over poorer pay and conditions.
They also said the incompetent interpreters are now being used and courts should return to using registered freelancers instead of going via a single agency.
The Ministry of Justice have claimed the new system is more efficient.
PIA director and Dutch interpreter Madeleine Lee told the BBC: "We're hearing reports of people seeing not just one terrified face sitting in the dock but the defendant and the interpreter next to them looking terrified and mute and not doing what an interpreter is supposed to do which is actually talk."
Pay rates for interpreters used to a flat fee of £85 with an additional quarter-hourly after three hours, plus travel costs and expenses. The new rate sees a three tier hourly rate of £16, £20 and £22 and no travel costs or expenses.
"You may find yourself spending an entire day at court and actually only taking home the one hour minimum that they undertake to pay you, which could be as low as £16," Ms Lee said.
A 49-page log of issues over the past six weeks has been compiled highlighting 194 incidents where things have gone wrong - for example when interpreters have failed to show up.
By mid-February such problems led the Ministry of Justice to advise courts to revert for a time to the previous system.
A ministry spokesman acknowledged that there had been an unacceptable number of problems in the first few weeks but said there had been a "marked improvement" since.
Chairman of the Lincolnshire branch of the Magistrates Association David Evans said issues with translators could severely disrupt the work of the courts.
"Everybody's entitled to a fair hearing in court - if they can't understand fully what's happening, it's not a fair hearing - it can't go ahead," he said.
"Cases have to be adjourned, people have to be released sometimes several times before the case is finally heard. I have heard words like 'disaster' and 'chaos' used - and I don't think they're too strong at the moment."
Mr Evans said that the contract had been in place since 1 February "surely that's time for a large company to get its act together".
(H)
The Professional Interpreters Alliance (PIA) said 60% of its members have chosen to boycott court work over poorer pay and conditions.
They also said the incompetent interpreters are now being used and courts should return to using registered freelancers instead of going via a single agency.
The Ministry of Justice have claimed the new system is more efficient.
PIA director and Dutch interpreter Madeleine Lee told the BBC: "We're hearing reports of people seeing not just one terrified face sitting in the dock but the defendant and the interpreter next to them looking terrified and mute and not doing what an interpreter is supposed to do which is actually talk."
Pay rates for interpreters used to a flat fee of £85 with an additional quarter-hourly after three hours, plus travel costs and expenses. The new rate sees a three tier hourly rate of £16, £20 and £22 and no travel costs or expenses.
"You may find yourself spending an entire day at court and actually only taking home the one hour minimum that they undertake to pay you, which could be as low as £16," Ms Lee said.
A 49-page log of issues over the past six weeks has been compiled highlighting 194 incidents where things have gone wrong - for example when interpreters have failed to show up.
By mid-February such problems led the Ministry of Justice to advise courts to revert for a time to the previous system.
A ministry spokesman acknowledged that there had been an unacceptable number of problems in the first few weeks but said there had been a "marked improvement" since.
Chairman of the Lincolnshire branch of the Magistrates Association David Evans said issues with translators could severely disrupt the work of the courts.
"Everybody's entitled to a fair hearing in court - if they can't understand fully what's happening, it's not a fair hearing - it can't go ahead," he said.
"Cases have to be adjourned, people have to be released sometimes several times before the case is finally heard. I have heard words like 'disaster' and 'chaos' used - and I don't think they're too strong at the moment."
Mr Evans said that the contract had been in place since 1 February "surely that's time for a large company to get its act together".
(H)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
12 March 2012
Ruling Expected For "Locked-In Syndrome" Patient
The high court is due to rule on whether or not a man with “locked-in syndrome” should be allowed to proceed with ending his life. Tony Nicklinson, 57, suffered a stroke in 2005 and has been severely disabled since. He suffers from locked-in syndrome, which means that while his body is completely paralysed his mind is still active.
Ruling Expected For "Locked-In Syndrome" Patient
The high court is due to rule on whether or not a man with “locked-in syndrome” should be allowed to proceed with ending his life. Tony Nicklinson, 57, suffered a stroke in 2005 and has been severely disabled since. He suffers from locked-in syndrome, which means that while his body is completely paralysed his mind is still active.
30 September 2013
Warrington To Host New Hillsborough Inquest
The new inquest into the Hillsborough disaster will be held in Warrington, coroner Lord Justice Goldring has said. The fresh inquest into the deaths of 96 people will begin on March 31, following an order made in December when the High Court quashed the original verdicts of accidental death. Details of the venue are to be announced at a later date.
Warrington To Host New Hillsborough Inquest
The new inquest into the Hillsborough disaster will be held in Warrington, coroner Lord Justice Goldring has said. The fresh inquest into the deaths of 96 people will begin on March 31, following an order made in December when the High Court quashed the original verdicts of accidental death. Details of the venue are to be announced at a later date.
29 November 2012
Leveson Calls For Regulatory Body
The Leveson report has recommended a tougher form of independent self-regulation in the UK press. Lord Justice Leveson said the press had "wreaked havoc in the lives of innocent people" and called for a regulatory body that was independent of influence from politicians, the media and the government.
Leveson Calls For Regulatory Body
The Leveson report has recommended a tougher form of independent self-regulation in the UK press. Lord Justice Leveson said the press had "wreaked havoc in the lives of innocent people" and called for a regulatory body that was independent of influence from politicians, the media and the government.
15 August 2006
Allergic horse beds down on court papers
A horse that is allergic to hay and straw dust has found a unique alternative for his bedding - shredded court papers. Domino, a fifteen-year-old large white and black cob, fell ill when he was five and was diagnosed with an allergy to hay dust, tree and grass pollens and weeds.
Allergic horse beds down on court papers
A horse that is allergic to hay and straw dust has found a unique alternative for his bedding - shredded court papers. Domino, a fifteen-year-old large white and black cob, fell ill when he was five and was diagnosed with an allergy to hay dust, tree and grass pollens and weeds.
23 October 2009
Crackdown On Fine Dodgers
Six hundred of the Scotland's 'worst fine dodgers' are being targeted in a crackdown by the Scottish Court Service on those who attempt to 'avoid the ends of justice'.
Crackdown On Fine Dodgers
Six hundred of the Scotland's 'worst fine dodgers' are being targeted in a crackdown by the Scottish Court Service on those who attempt to 'avoid the ends of justice'.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:After a dry start this morning rain will spread from the northwest across all parts. This afternoon will be dull with some patchy rain and drizzle. Becoming much milder through the afternoon. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:A cloudy evening and night with a little light rain or drizzle, perhaps some clear periods developing along the east coast. A very mild night everywhere. Minimum temperature 10 °C.
