Is it quicker if I learned Czech? Lawyer’s quip as interpreter fails to show
A judge has made a wasted-costs order against a company for failing to provide an interpreter for a Czech man accused of attempted murder.
Karel Novotny, 54, of Milton Terrace, Halifax, speaks no English and has now had his hearing at Bradford Crown Court adjourned for a second time.
His plea and case management hearing was adjourned last month because no interpreter was available to him and his barrister.
When his case was before the court again this week, there was still no interpreter and his case was put back again.
Novotny’s barrister Andrew Dallas told the court it may be quicker for him to learn Czech than wait for an interpreter.
The incident is the latest case involving the firm Applied Language Solutions and Mr Dallas said there appeared to be a “system problem” at the moment with barristers reporting similar experiences.
Mr Dallas confirmed that without an interpreter no progress could be made in the case which is due for trial on June 11.
Judge Durham Hall said an interpreter would be booked to be at court for 9.30am today and a wasted costs order would be made against Applied Language Solutions subject to any further representations from them.
Novotny, who is charged with attempting to murder Peter Zulevic on December 27 last year, was remanded in custody.
