Legal Interpreting

Immigration and court interpreters perform a fundamental role in Canada.

The Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and Section 14 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms address the rights to the assistance of an interpreter for persons with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) who do not understand or speak the language in which proceedings are being conducted. 

A trained legal interpreter is a language conduit whose participation allows a person with LEP to participate meaningfully in a judicial or immigration proceeding. The interpreter has a twofold duty: to ensure that the proceedings in English reflect precisely what was said to and by the person with LEP, and to place this person on an equal plane with those who speak and comprehend English. The interpreter is objective and impartial, and does not provide advice or explanations to the person who is the subject of the proceedings.

Legal interpreters are also required for the preparation of clients and witnesses in law offices prior to proceedings for a successful and unbiased representation.