Court interpretation

Lecture 8
Preparation before court
O Find out what the charge is
O Prepare a standard formulation of the charges
O Prepare, in advance, a translation of the oath
or affirmation, Charter rights and, where
applicable, breath demands
O Get a copy of typical conditions for a bail
release, a Peace Bond (зобовязання
дотримуватися громадського порядку) or a
probation order
O Bring a pad of paper and pens to court
O Bring any lexicons, dictionaries or other
reference material
 At the Court House
O Arrive early
O Check in with the clerk and counsel
O Meet a client and check on compatibility
O Check with experts and counsel:
a) Specialized vocabulary
b) Motions and procedures
O Wait
 Court Etiquette
O Bowing – when and how
O Check about preferences concerning standing
and type of interpreting (everything,
whisper…)
O Interpreting – why
O Interpreting – how
O Interpreting – how often
O Interpreting – DO IT !
 Whisper vs Consecutive
Whisper
O when?:
a) Shorter court appearances; b) Less important
appearances
O How ? Loud enough that the client can hear –
stay close
O What do you interpret ?
The essentials, not always every word.
The appearance is usually very quick.
 Whisper vs Consecutive
Consecutive
O When ? Longer court appearance; Important
appearances
O How ?
Loud enough that all can hear – you are not
close to the client
O What do you interpret ? Everything unless
otherwise directed
 1, 2, 3 – Go !
O To swear or to affirm…
O Placement
O If you need to
a) Refer to materials
b) Have someone repeat something
c) Ask for clarification
d) Ask someone to slow down
e) A break ASK FOR IT !
Who are all these people ?
O The Judge
Traffic Commissionaire – Your Worship
Provincial Court Judge – Your Honour
Queen’s Bench or Court of Appeal – My Lord or
My Lady, Your Lordship, Your Ladyship
Madame Clerk or Mister Clerk
Counsel – Crown or Defence – Counsel, Sir or
Madam
 DOs and Don’ts
O Do…
O Speak in a clear, audible tone
O Remain respectful towards all parties
O Arrive properly attired
O Use shorthand if you are comfortable with it
O Alert someone in court if there is a problem
 Do not ….
O Forget to check in with the clerk
O Have personal exchanges with any witnesses
or the client neither before, during or after
court
O Share anything that is said with anyone
outside the court
O Allow others to continue speaking without
allowing you time to interpret
Types of Court Appearance and
Court Procedures
Bail hearings
a) An accused may appear before a justice of the peace
(JP) or in Provincial Court
b) Crown or Police read facts and state position
c) Defence makes submission
d) Accused is either released or denied bail
e) If detained, always on the basis of at least one of the
three grounds: primary – will he appear?
secondary – will he reoffend? tertiary – maintain the
administration of justice
 Docket Court
(реєстр судових справ)
O Pleas представлення/заява відповідача)
reserve plea (відтермінування)
reserve election
plead not guilty (summary)
Set trial date
Plead guilty (summary)
Set sentencing date or go straight to sentence
 Longer Appearances
O Trials
O Voir dires (зобовязання свідка «говорити
правду»)
O Reviews
O Motions
O Preliminary inquiries
O Appeals
O Sentencing
 Most Important
O Be assertive and speak up

O Everyone is counting on you !