11 August 2017
Blame game begins as Google Translate stands
in for court interpreter
A blame game has
begun over who should provide translation services after a barrister was forced
to step in and download a translation app when a defendant unable to speak
English was left without an interpreter at a court hearing.
Mandarin-speaking Xiu
Ping Yang had been accused by Redcar & Cleveland Council of food hygiene
breaches related to a Chinese restaurant she ran in Eston, North Yorkshire.
She appeared
unrepresented at Teesside Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 8 August.
However, no one was
on hand to communicate with her. Her case was adjourned until 25 September.
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barrister Joan Smith, who was already at court working on a separate case,
downloaded the Google translate app when she realised that Yang did not
understand what was happening.
She told the Gazette: ‘An interpreter
wasn’t present and it became clear the defendant could not speak English. She
didn’t understand what the judge or prosecutors were saying to her or what was
happening.
’The clerk asked if
anyone had any way of communicating with her. No-one had phones on them and the
council said they didn’t know of anyone who could interpret. So I downloaded
the Google translate app and tried to explain what was happening. It worked
eventually but it could have been a long day.’
Redcar and Cleveland
Council, which brought the case, told the Gazette
it was up to the court to provide an interpreter. However, according to
Ministry of Justice guidance, when civil cases are brought against a defendant
it is the responsibility of the prosecutor to notify the court that translation
services are needed.
A spokesperson for HM
Courts & Tribunals Service said: ’It is vital that victims, witnesses and
defendants understand what is happening in court to guarantee justice is done.
HMCTS always takes steps to ensure an interpreter is provided, where it has
been brought to their attention that this is a requirement.’
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