Country profiles

Introduction

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Content

• LIT in the Czech Rupublic
• LIT in the Netherlands

 

Legal interpreting and translation in the Czech Republic

Translations and interpreting for national authorities such as courts, prosecutions, police, municipalities etc. is in the Czech Republic regulated by the Act No. 36 / 1967, as amended.
The translators and interpreters are appointed by corresponding local courts according to their permanent residence. It is solely on court consideration to appoint a translator/interpreter in a language combination which is needed if he/she meets the conditions stipulated (education, additional legal education, experience).
These translators/interpreters may be associated in the Chamber of Court Appointed Translators and Interpreters of the Czech Republic (KST ČR). The Chamber is a full member of EULITA and FIT, and its task is to pursue, enforce, and defend the professional, labour, legal and social interests of its members. The Chamber strives to improve the qualification and awareness of its members by organizing seminars, meetings, briefings and trainings for interpreters and translators.
In last years the Chamber is actively working with the Ministry of Justice in preparing a new law on interpreters and translators, so that this law creates real improvement and insures a higher quality of existing legislative regulation.
Read more: www.kstcr.cz
 

Legal interpreting and translation in The Netherlands

After entering into effect on January 1, 2009, the new Dutch Law on Interpreting and Translating has caused a massive operation of registration and swearing in of qualified legal interpreters and translators which was completed only during the year 2011.
A problem still remains, however, in view of the qualifications and competences of sworn translators. Owing to the transitional rights conceded to previously sworn translators under the old law of 1878, a great number of translators has been included in the new Register of sworn interpreters and translators without any further examination or proof. The same applies to a number of interpreters who had taken a basic exam prior to the date of entering into effect of the Law and who were transferred automatically to the new register.
The professional organizations are trying to include some measure of testing upon the review of the register after the first period of 5 years after its existence in 2014, as all registered interpreters and translators have to provide a new “Declaration of Good Conduct” (to be obtained from the Ministry of Justice) as well as proof of professional activities and permanent education during the past period.
Meanwhile the obligation under the new Law to employ only registered and qualified interpreters and translators in Criminal procedures (starting with first police interrogation) and in immigration and asylum procedures is beginning to be implemented.
However, the Ministry of Justice has decided to outsource interpreting and translation services in some fields through commercial agencies in flagrant contravention to this obligation.
The professional organizations have lodged a complaint with the National Ombudsman and are awaiting the result of his inquiries.
Further implementation of the Law is being monitored by a special advisory board to the Ministry (Kwaliteitsinstituut) in which members of the judiciary, the bar association, representatives of interpreter and translator training institutes and organizations of interpreters and translators are represented.
The organizations have also united in an Association (ATVO) which consults on a regular basis with the Dutch Society of Translators and Interpreters (NGTV) and, if need arises, with representatives of the Ministry of Justice.