30th August 2022
[…] Cases can get pushed back where language barriers are encountered and this was not the first time I have witnessed the court having to grapple with a lack of official interpreters. It seems to be a frequent issue and is not always because the defendant's lack of proficiency in English is unknown beforehand.
A man accused of possessing a Class B controlled drug required a Slovak interpreter, or failing that, Russian, Czech, or Polish, but none was available, officially at least. Unusually, a friend stepped in to aid his understanding by translating as his case was adjourned until next month for an official interpreter to be found. […]
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