HMCTS Interpreting Reports
Craigavon Magistrates Court erupted in laughter on Friday when the interpreter for a defendant referred to District Judge Bernie Kelly as ‘Your Majesty’.
A defendant’s pleas to allegations of child rape could not be taken – as there were only two interpreters in the UK able to speak his native tongue and neither were free to attend Oxford Crown Court.
A series of trials were adjourned due to lack of available court space or, in one case, difficulties sourcing a qualified interpreter.
A barrister found herself having to translate for a man who entered the UK in breach of a deportation order.
No Romanian interpreter was available for the hearing on Tuesday. But Judge Michael Gledhill KC said he was happy for barrister Dana Bilan to translate for Paun, who speaks no English.
