27 May 2016 by Monidipa Fouzder
MoJ
awards courtroom interpreting contracts
The future of courtroom interpreting has become
clearer after an international language services company formed in Leeds
confirmed it has won two components of the Ministry of Justice’s new contract.
The new arrangements will replace the controversial
contract held by Capital TI. That contract expires in October.
The ministry confirmed the awards but said it would
be inappropriate to comment further before the new contracts have been signed.
But Thebigword confirmed in a press release that it
has won contracts to provide face-to-face interpretation, and written
translation and transcription services. The £120m four-year contract can
be extended for a further three one-year periods, said the company, which was
reported to have a turnover of £42m in 2014.
The contract for non-spoken language services has
reportedly been offered to Cambridge firm Clarion Interpreting Limited. A
spokesperson for Clarion told the Gazette the company is in a
‘standstill period’ until 7 June and unable to comment further.
The contract for independent quality assurance has
reportedly been offered to The Language Shop, a business originally set up by
the London Borough of Newham. The Language Shop told the Gazette it was
unable to comment.
Capita TI currently provides full language services
in courts and tribunals under a framework agreement which aroused fierce controversy when it came into
effect in 2012.
As the Gazette reported, Capita TI bid to
provide written translation and transcription. A spokesperson for Capita TI
said: 'While we are disappointed with the decision, we are committed to
delivering a high level of service under the current contract which ends 30
October.'
Thebigword, which employs 500 staff across 11
offices and has more than 8,000 linguists, says a number of Capita TI staff
will be ‘transferred’ to the company as part of the deal.
Thebigword’s press release states that the
linguists who currently work to support the justice system ‘will see improved
working conditions’.
A spokesperson for Thebigword told the Gazette
the company could not confirm details of the improved working conditions ‘as
details are still being discussed and finalised. However, Thebigword is working
with focus groups as they are determined to make sure conditions are improved’.
In today’s press release, the company's chief
executive Larry Gould (pictured), states: ‘[We are] the largest interpreting
services provider in Europe. We have the infrastructure and we have the
experience. We have been delivering large-scale public sector contracts for
more than two decades.’
Gould says the company has worked with focus groups
‘to develop a package of benefits and have comprehensive training programmes to
ensure our linguists can cope with difficult conversations – such as
interpreting rape, torture and other distressing crimes – and deliver the
highest possible standards’.
The MoJ deal also requires Thebigword to develop a
trainee scheme, in conjunction with the independent quality assurance supplier.
Earlier this month Thebigword won a £60m four-year
contract to provide services to central government organisations including the
Department for Work and Pensions, the Home Office, UK Border Force, HM Revenue
and Customs, and the NHS.
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