What is a Court Interpreter? Duties, Code of Ethics, and Income

A Court Interpreter is a language expert certified to provide interpretation services in legal proceedings and court trials. Court interpreters must pass tests and obtain licenses from relevant authorities to ensure they have sufficient capability to perform in such sensitive contexts.

Duties of Court Interpreters

• Interpret witness testimonies
• Translate questions from lawyers and judges
• Translate documents used in court proceedings
• Maintain accurate communication between all parties

Code of Ethics for Court Interpreters

1. Accuracy and Honesty

• Translate messages accurately and completely without adding or modifying content
• Avoid mistranslations or interpretations that could affect court decisions

2. Impartiality

• Remain neutral in disputes
• Avoid expressing personal attitudes, biases, or opinions

3. Confidentiality

• Keep case information and content confidential
• Do not disclose information to unauthorized persons

4. Expertise and Professionalism

• Only interpret languages in which they are proficient
• Prepare in advance, study specific terminology and relevant documents

5. Avoid Conflicts of Interest

• Must disclose and withdraw from duties if there are personal relationships or conflicts of interest with case parties
• Do not accept gifts or compensation from involved parties

6. Be Respectful and Appropriate

• Dress appropriately and maintain proper etiquette
• Work diligently and respect the justice system

7. Decline Work Beyond Capabilities

• Must decline assignments if language or content complexity exceeds their abilities to prevent errors

Essential Qualifications for Court Interpreters

1. Language Expertise

• Deep understanding of source and target languages
• Knowledge of legal terminology and procedures
• Familiarity with case-related terms in both languages
• Ability to interpret accurately and quickly

2. Legal Knowledge

• Understanding of court systems and justice processes
• Knowledge of trial procedures
• Understanding of various legal documents

Income and Career Opportunities Compensation Rates

• Freelance court interpreters: 3,000-10,000 baht per day, depending on experience and language
• Full-time court interpreters: Monthly salary approximately 30,000-50,000 baht

Factors Affecting Income

1. Experience and expertise

2. Languages offered (rare languages typically command higher rates)

3. Case complexity

4. Work duration and location

Path to Becoming a Court Interpreter: Education and Training

1. Graduate in languages or law (optional)

2. Complete specialized training for court interpreters

3. Pass tests and obtain certification

Career Development

• Gain experience in various types of cases
• Continuously improve legal knowledge
• Build networks in the legal and interpretation fields

Qualifications for Registration Application Source: Office of the Judiciary Announcement on Court Interpreter Registration for Fiscal Year 2022

(1) Must be at least twenty years of age.

(2) Must have completed training and passed assessment according to the interpreter techniques or methods curriculum organized or certified by the Office of the Judiciary, as detailed in the announcement appendix.

(3) Must have at least five instances of interpretation experience in court or other organizations.

(4) Must be willing and able to dedicate time to perform interpreter duties.

(5) Must not have questionable conduct or be deficient in moral character.

(6) Must not engage in any occupation, profession, or activity that may interfere with interpreter duties or potentially damage the dignity of the judiciary institution.

(7) Must not be declared incompetent or quasi-incompetent by court order, or be mentally unsound.

(8) Must not have been imprisoned by final court judgment, except for negligent offenses or minor offenses, unless having completed the sentence for more than three years.

(9) Must not have been removed from the interpreter registry according to the Office of the Judiciary regulations regarding expense payments, travel allowance, accommodation allowance for court-appointed interpreters, and interpreter management of the Court of Justice B.E. 2562 Section 32(5), unless more than three years have passed since the removal from the registry under Section 32(5).

Note: For further information on registration requirements, please click here.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Is a law degree required? 

A: Not necessary, but basic legal knowledge and specialized training are required.

Q: How long does it take to become a professional court interpreter? 

A: Generally takes 2-3 years to build experience and expertise.

Q: Can I work as a court interpreter part-time while having a full-time job? 

A: Yes, but schedule flexibility is needed as court schedules can be unpredictable.

Conclusion

Court interpreting is a prestigious profession that plays a vital role in the justice system. The work can be challenging and high-pressure, but it offers competitive compensation and strong career growth potential. For those with strong language skills and an interest in law, court interpreting presents an excellent career path. Success in this field requires ongoing development of both linguistic abilities and legal expertise.

BEYOND INTERPRETER CO., LTD.

If you are interested in a professional language interpreter, you can contact the interpreting company Interpreter Services as follows:

• Email : [email protected]
• Line : @beyondinterpreter
• Facebook : beyondinterpreter