Few things sink a hearing faster than an empty chair where the interpreter should be sitting. The client is ready, the bench is ready, and you’re left explaining to a judge why proceedings can’t start. It’s a scenario every litigator dreads, and unfortunately it isn’t rare.
The scale of the problem
One of the key issues around the provision of interpretation and translation services is the availability of interpreters to attend hearings, and there appears to be a shortage of interpreters, meaning they either do not attend a case in-person, or attempt to provide a remote service. The knock-on effect isn’t trivial either: the lack of availability of interpreters and reliable translation services has an impact on the running of the courts, with examples of cases being delayed where an interpreter was not available or moved to a different date entirely.
This isn’t a new complaint. Evidence given to a parliamentary inquiry noted plainly that the primary issue is the failure to book interpreters properly, and if one cannot be found on the day, the case will be adjourned. There’s even a reported case where a court considered making a costs order after an interpreter did not attend at the rescheduled time and the hearing was adjourned as a result. In other words: this has happened to good solicitors before, and it will happen again to someone who hasn’t tightened up their booking process. Let’s make sure it isn’t you.
Ask the right questions before you book
A booking form filled in quickly at 4.55pm on a Friday is how problems start. Before you confirm anything, make sure you (or whoever is booking) can answer:
- Exact language and dialect – not just “Arabic” or “Punjabi”, but the specific variant your client speaks. Mismatches here cause more adjournments than almost anything else.
- Mode of interpreting – face-to-face, telephone, or video link, and whether the venue actually supports it.
- Hearing type and likely length – a five-minute mention and a day-long trial need very different planning.
- Who is the point of contact on the day – a named person, not just a booking inbox that goes quiet after 5pm.
If a provider can’t answer these questions without you having to chase them twice, that’s useful information too.
Build in safeguards for the day itself
Booking early is necessary but not sufficient. The cases that go wrong are usually the ones where nobody checked again until the morning of the hearing. A few habits worth adopting as standard practice:
- Get written confirmation with a booking reference, not just a verbal assurance.
- Ask for reconfirmation 24 to 48 hours before the hearing, especially if the date was set weeks earlier.
- Establish what happens if the assigned interpreter falls ill or is delayed – is there a genuine backup process, or does the booking simply vanish into the ether?
- Keep a direct phone number for the morning of the hearing, not an automated system that will cheerfully email you back next Tuesday.
None of this guarantees perfection – interpreters are people, and people occasionally get stuck on the M6 like the rest of us – but it dramatically reduces the chance of a nasty surprise.
Choose a provider that treats reliability as the job, not an extra
The single biggest factor in whether an interpreter turns up is whether the agency behind them actually has the infrastructure to manage bookings properly: real staff monitoring assignments, a known pool of interpreters rather than a last-minute scramble, and someone answering the phone when things go wrong. Solicitors should, where possible, use professional interpreters to overcome language difficulties, and it’s generally better to work with organisations experienced in legal aid rate work.
As the owner of Connect Interpreting and Translation Service puts it, using a service provider who is well established like Connect can help. Connect has been arranging face-to-face and telephone interpreting, alongside certified and sworn document translation, for solicitors, barristers and the Legal Aid Agency since 2005, working to courts and legal professionals across the whole of the UK. The firm is also a member of the Association of Translation Companies, which at the very least means it isn’t operating out of the back of a filing cabinet.
If you’re setting up a hearing and want to check availability properly rather than hoping for the best, you can see how the process works via the Booking Request page, or find out more about the firm’s background on the About Us page. For document work that needs to stand up in court, the certified translation service covers sworn and certified documents for legal proceedings. Firms based near Lancashire may also find it useful to look at local coverage via the Blackburn page.
A short checklist before every hearing
- Correct language and dialect confirmed in writing.
- Booking reference and named contact saved somewhere you’ll actually find it.
- Reconfirmation requested 24–48 hours ahead.
- Backup plan established in case of illness or delay.
Get this right and the interpreter becomes exactly what they should be: a quiet, competent presence in the room, not the main event.
Ready to book with confidence?
If you’d like to discuss an upcoming hearing or set up a standing arrangement for regular bookings, contact Connect Interpreting and Translation Service on 01254 312772 or email sales@interpretingservice.co.uk.
Frequently asked questions
How far in advance should I book an interpreter for a hearing?
As early as possible once the hearing date is confirmed. Rare languages or dialects, specialist tribunals, or multi-day hearings all benefit from extra lead time, and early booking gives the agency room to arrange a backup if needed.
What should I do if the interpreter hasn't confirmed shortly before the hearing?
Contact the agency directly rather than waiting, and ask for written reconfirmation with a named interpreter and booking reference. A reliable provider should be able to confirm this without delay.
Does Connect provide interpreters for legal aid cases?
Yes. Connect Interpreting and Translation Service Ltd provides interpreting and certified translation at legal aid rates for solicitors, barristers and the Legal Aid Agency, alongside work for courts, the NHS and private clients.