Courts could be plunged into fresh chaos this week as disgruntled interpreters down tools over grievances raised with the company contracted by the Ministry of Justice to provide language services. Contractor thebigword said it has contingency plans to minimise any impact of this week's protest on services provided to the court.
The Gazette revealed in June that interpreters had complained to thebigword that problems with a new booking system were making their lives difficult. In July, while interpreters met representatives from the company in central London to discuss the matter, several interpreters held a vigil outside the venue, telling the Gazette that they had long been unhappy about pay, terms and conditions, and the booking system was the ‘last straw’.
Interpreters are escalating their dispute this week by withdrawing their services from court bookings. Protests are also being held outside courts.
A leaflet handed out by interpreters outside London’s Royal Courts of Justice says the booking system ‘has caused havoc from day 1’ and in several cases ‘led to the denial of thousands of pounds worth of payments to interpreters and left them accruing unpaid debts’.
‘Lately, there has been a substantial increase in the number of interpreters’ non-attendance and double bookings. Hundreds of interpreters representing a wide spectrum of languages cannot earn a sustainable income and are increasingly being forced out of the profession,’ the leaflet adds.
This week's protest represents a fresh headache for thebigword, which faces a potential group claim over employment rights.
A spokesperson for thebigword said the company was aware of a planned protest ‘by a small group of interpreters out of the 5,000 interpreters who work with us’ and has contingency plans to minimise any possible impact on services provided to the courts.
‘We have a great partnership with our interpreters, who overwhelmingly enjoy the working arrangements we have with them. There are considerable benefits which they appreciate and understand. We have an open dialogue with our people about any issues raised. Our contracts are reviewed by leading employment lawyers who confirm they are entirely appropriate for self-employed freelances,' the spokesperson added.
A spokesperson for HM Courts & Tribunals Service said: ‘We are aware of some planned walkouts by interpreters at a small number of criminal courts. We have contingency measures in place to ensure the courts can remain open and disruption is minimal.’
Guidance provided by the MoJ says thebigword is required to provide HMCTS with interpreters as needed and at the rates in the contract. ‘How interpreters are sourced and the rates paid sit entirely within the domain of thebigword although HMCTS has set detailed and comprehensive requirements in the contract for quality and security clearance, among other things,’ the guidance adds.
Last month the House of Lords public services committee announced an inquiry into interpretation and translation services in the courts. The committee's call for evidence closes on 30 September.
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