Thursday, 31 August 2017
FOI Request: Payments to thebigword for provision of language services
https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/payments_to_thebigword_for_provi_2#incoming-1029457
30th August 2017
30th August 2017
FOI Request: Payments
to thebigword for provision of language services
How much has been spent on translators at Taunton Crown Court and Taunton Magistrates' Court
http://www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/15507903.How_much_tax_payers_have_paid_for_translators_in_Taunton_courts/
How much has been spent on translators at Taunton Crown Court and
Taunton Magistrates' Court
More than £50,000 was spent on translators across
two courts of law in Taunton over the last two years.
In total, £55,883.23 was spent on interpreters in
Taunton Crown Court and magistrates' court from May 2015 until June 2017.
Providing the service is a legal requirement for
the courts, regardless of what language is spoken.
In the 2015-16 financial year, £7,934.19 was spent
at Taunton Crown Court, and £16,400.14 in the magistrates' court.
During the 2016-17 financial year, £8,649.67 was
spent in crown court, and £14, 365.04 was spent at magistrates' court providing
the interpreters.
Up until June this financial year,
£2,344.19 has been spent at Taunton's crown court, and £6,193 in the
magistrates' court.
A Ministry of Justice spokesman said:
"We are legally obliged to provide language services and have replaced the
old system with a more efficient and cost-effective service. This has saved the
taxpayer £48 million since 2011.
"Regardless of the language required,
HMCTS has a legal obligation to provide language services to defendants in all
criminal cases and immigration and asylum tribunals and some mental health
tribunals, or at direction by the judiciary, to ensure the provision of an
effective and efficient court system.
"Historically, the previous system where
interpreters were booked by individual courts was costly and inefficient. Since
we replaced this system in 2011 complaints are low and we have saved taxpayer
money."
Until October 2016, the service was provided
by Capita TI, and the current suppliers are thebigword and Clarion.
Monday, 21 August 2017
"sentencing adjourned due to the lack of an interpreter"
http://www.hertfordshiremercury.co.uk/woman-sexually-assaulted-on-her-way-home-from-night-out-by-taxi-driver-in-rickmansworth/story-30490227-detail/story.html
August 21, 2017
August 21, 2017
[…] However Al-Moomen's
sentencing was adjourned due to the lack of an interpreter.
Chris Sykes, defending,
said that it was 'unsatisfactory' for Al-Moomen not to have an Arabic
interpreter present, as he did during his trial.
Chairman of the bench, Mick
Dennis, addressing Al-Moomen, said: "I know you have difficulty with
English.
"I know you hoped this
would be finished today and I apologise for that.
"It is a serious
matter, it is possible you would go to prison or go to a court with more power.
"It is important you
understand everything and we cannot do that without an interpreter."
Al-Moomen was granted bail
and the case has been adjourned until Tuesday, August 29.
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