Using Interpreters with Confidence

This online course leads solicitors through the basics of what they need to know when working with interpreters. It is available entirely on demand, so you can complete the training whenever best suits you.

An interpreter plays a crucial role when we work with clients whose English fluency is limited. Without their assistance we would not be able to provide a service to a wide range of customers including refugees, migrants, some settled minority ethnic people and sign language speakers. But many lawyers find the experience of using an interpreter challenging. They are unsure of how to communicate, what the interpreter should and should not do and how to ensure that all parties fully understand each other. In this session we clarify exactly what the interpreter’s role is, examine best practice in working with them, and discuss some of the ethical and professional issues involved.

Learning Objectives:

• Explore the precise role of an interpreter – where it starts and ends
• Consider the myth of interpreting ‘word for word’
• Describe the elements to consider when booking an interpreter
• Discuss considerations at each stage of the interpreting session
• Explore the differences when using an interpreter over the phone and in online meetings
• Discuss the best practice when using interpreters in a range of formats including face to face, telephone and sign language