𝘈𝘱𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘹 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦: 3 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘴🕒
When legal proceedings involve multiple languages, the stakes are too high for guesswork.
Legal settings demand total clarity. Whether it’s a witness statement, a court hearing or a solicitor-client meeting, every word matters and every misstep can have consequences.
That’s why legal interpreting needs to involve accuracy, neutrality and deep knowledge of legal terminology and procedure.
In this blog, we’ll explain what legal interpreting involves, when it’s required, and how to make sure your interpreting support meets professional and legal standards.
What is legal interpreting?
Legal interpreting is the real-time translation of spoken language in legal settings. It enables communication between individuals who do not share a common language during legal processes, while ensuring that meaning, tone and intent are preserved.
Legal interpreters are specially trained professionals who must:
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Understand legal terminology and procedures
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Remain impartial and accurate at all times
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Handle sensitive, confidential and high-pressure situations
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Work within the expectations of courts, solicitors, and regulatory bodies
Unlike perhaps general interpreting, legal interpreting is bound by additional professional and ethical standards, often including formal qualifications and experience.
When is legal interpreting required?
Legal interpreting is essential in any situation where language barriers could compromise a person’s right to fair treatment or legal clarity.
Common use cases include:
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Court proceedings (civil or criminal)
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Police interviews and statements
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Depositions and witness interviews
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Immigration tribunals or asylum hearings
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Meetings between solicitors and clients
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Mediation and arbitration sessions
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Probation, prison or parole communications
In many of these cases, providing interpreting support is a legal obligation.
What makes a good legal interpreter?
Legal interpreting demands a specific skill set.
At a minimum, your translation and interpreting company should use interpreters that are:
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Fluent in both languages, including legal terminology
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Neutral and impartial, with no stake in the case
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Trained in legal ethics and confidentiality
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Able to work under pressure, including hostile or emotional environments
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Familiar with courtroom etiquette and structure
At Wolfestone, we only work with experienced legal interpreters who meet strict vetting criteria. Many are registered with the National Register of Public Service Interpreters (NRPSI) or hold relevant qualifications in legal interpreting.
Legal interpreting isn’t something to take lightly. It plays a vital role in safeguarding rights, upholding due process, and enabling fair access to justice, no matter the language spoken.
At Wolfestone, we provide legal interpreting services for:
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Solicitors, barristers and law firms
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Local authorities and the public sector
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Courts, police and legal aid services
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Corporate legal departments and international businesses
Whether you need on-site support or a last-minute remote interpreter, our team is here to help.
Contact us today for a free interpreting quote.
𝘒𝘦𝘪𝘳𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘸𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘶𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦 2021 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘨𝘰 𝘨𝘭𝘰𝘣𝘢𝘭 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘦𝘵 𝘴𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘵. 𝘏𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘰𝘧 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘷𝘢𝘭𝘶𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦, 𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘶𝘥𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴.
