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1. What is a freelance court interpreter?
2. What do freelance court interpreters do?
3. Which languages does the ministry interpret?
4. How can I become a freelance court interpreter?
5. For which languages is the ministry currently accrediting?
6. What skills do I need to become a freelance court interpreter?
7. Do I need to belong to a professional interpreter association to become an accredited freelance ministry interpreter?
8. How can I prepare for the Bilingual or English Court Interpreting Test?
9. Is there a cost to take the Bilingual or English Court Interpreting Test?
10. What if I have a criminal record?
11. What can I expect if I become a freelance court interpreter?
12. What is the Registry for Accredited Freelance Court Interpreters?
13. How much are freelance court interpreters paid?
14. Are freelance court interpreters government employees?
15. How often do freelance court interpreters work?
16. Other than the Ministry of the Attorney General, where else can I find work as an interpreter?

1. What is a freelance court interpreter?

   A freelance court interpreter assists people who are unable to communicate in the language of the court proceedings by providing a continuous, precise, impartial, competent and contemporaneous interpretation of what is communicated in the source language into the target language (e.g. from Italian into English, and from English into Italian).

   An interpreter may be scheduled by the Ministry of the Attorney General or by the parties before the court, depending on the proceeding.

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2. What do freelance court interpreters do?

   Court interpreters have a fundamental role in providing access to justice. Interpreters work in 179 court locations serving 250 communities across Ontario.

   Through the Ministry of the Attorney General's Court Services Division, over 800 accredited freelance court interpreters provide interpretation in over 100 spoken languages, American Sign Language and Langue des signes du Québec.

   Because of Ontario's diverse population, language interpretation services are in high demand. Each year, more than 150,000 courtroom hours of interpretation are provided in:

   • Any language required in criminal and child protection matters
   • Any language in civil, family and Small Claims Court matters, if the litigant qualifies for the Court Services Division fee waiver
   • French in all civil, family and Small Claims Court matters
   • Sign language in all Small Claims Court matters, and
   • Any language when it is ordered by the court.

   Section 14 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees the right to the assistance of an interpreter for those who do not understand or speak the language in which the proceedings are being conducted. This right exists regardless of the language involved.

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3. Which languages does the ministry interpret?

   The ministry's accredited court interpreters provide interpretation in over 100 spoken languages, American Sign Language and Langue des signes du Québec.

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4. How can I become a freelance court interpreter?

   Interpreters must be accredited by the Ministry of the Attorney General. To become accredited, interpreters must:

   • Pass a Bilingual or English Court Interpreting Test
   • Attend a training seminar and pass a written test in courtroom procedures and interpreter ethics, and
   • Successfully complete a background check with the Canadian Police Information Centre.

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5. For which languages is the ministry currently accrediting?

   At this time, the ministry is accrediting new interpreters only in our highest demand languages.

   We encourage interpreters of all languages to submit an application. Applications in all languages will remain on file for one year.

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6. What skills do I need to become a freelance court interpreter?

   The Ministry of the Attorney General is committed to accrediting highly qualified interpreters. The following skills will be considered when reviewing your application:

   • Proficiency in English and at least one other spoken or sign language
   • General understanding of, and experience in, interpreting
   • Previous experience interpreting in the legal and/or court system
   • Knowledge of the legal and/or court system and legal terminology
   • Availability to accept assignments during regular court hours
   • Willingness to travel for assignments, and
   • Accreditation by a recognized professional interpreter association.

   The following are also important in becoming an interpreter:

   • Excellent communication skills
   • Strong listening skills
   • Excellent memory skills
   • Strong interpersonal skills
   • Professionalism, and
   • Discretion.

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7. Do I need to belong to a professional interpreter association to become an accredited freelance ministry court interpreter?

   No. Membership in a professional interpreter association is not a pre-requisite to becoming an accredited freelance ministry court interpreter.

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8. How can I prepare for the Bilingual or English Court Interpreting Test?

   There are many ways to prepare for the test, including:

   • Daily use and practice of your language
   • Reading in your language
   • Listening to radio and television broadcasts in your language
   • Short-term memory development and training exercises
   • Shadowing (listening to a passage and repeating it simultaneously).

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9. Is there a cost to take the Bilingual or English Court Interpreting Test?

   No, applicants are not charged to take the test.

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10. What if I have a criminal record?

    All court interpreters must undergo a criminal record check as a condition of accreditation or accreditation renewal. Background checks are done through the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC).

    If you have a criminal record, you may wish to apply for a pardon from the National Parole Board.

    A criminal record could hamper opportunities with the ministry.

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11. What can I expect if I become a freelance court interpreter?

    Most interpretation assignments will be for criminal proceedings, however you may also be asked to interpret in family, civil and Small Claims Court matters.

    Interpretation assignment requests can range from relatively quick matters, such as bail hearings and plea courts, to lengthier ones such as trials.

    Once you are on the Registry for Accredited Freelance Court Interpreters, the majority of your assignments should be at a court location that is close to your residence. However, any courthouse in Ontario may request your services.

    During an assignment, you may be required to perform consecutive interpretation, simultaneous interpretation or sight translation. Those requiring your services may include an accused, witness or surety.

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12. What is the Registry for Accredited Freelance Court Interpreters?

    Once you receive full accreditation, you will be listed on the ministry's online Registry of Accredited Freelance Court Interpreters, which is available only to court staff.

    Your name will appear alongside your accredited language(s), your home address, your contact phone numbers, and your availability. When an interpretation assignment is required, courthouse staff will contact you by phone or e-mail to determine your availability.

    Note that as an accredited interpreter, it will be your responsibility to advise the ministry of any changes to your contact information, availability and/or ability to travel.

    When you are put on the registry you will be sent an identification card that identifies you as a freelance court interpreter. You must carry this identification card whenever you go to an assignment.

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13. How much are freelance court interpreters paid?

    Freelance court interpreters are paid $25 per hour, or part thereof. For each booking, freelance interpreters are guaranteed a three-hour minimum regardless of the length of the interpretation assignment.

    Additionally, there are travel policies in place that set out mileage, meal and accommodation rates depending on the distance freelance interpreters are required to travel for a work assignment.

    Because court interpreters are freelance workers, they do not qualify for government benefits such as health and dental coverage, insurance or pensions.

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14. Are freelance court interpreters government employees?

    No. Accredited ministry court interpreters are freelance workers. They are independent agents paid on a fee-for-service basis.

    Payment for all court interpreting assignments is processed at the court location of the assignment. For income tax purposes, T4A slips will be issued to interpreters who have made more than $500 in the previous fiscal year. It is the freelance interpreter's responsibility to track related expenses.

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15. How often do freelance court interpreters work?

    Accredited, freelance court interpreters work on an as-needed basis. Frequency of work is determined by the court's need for each language and the number of accredited freelance interpreters in that language and region.

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16. Other than the Ministry of the Attorney General, where else can I find work as an interpreter?

    There are many employment opportunities available for interpreters in Ontario, including:

    • Hospitals
    • Community agencies
    • Immigration services
    • Victim witness services
    • Embassies and consulates.

    Many private companies also hire interpreters. Some are in the language industry, while others may need interpreters to work with international clients.

    You may also wish to consider becoming a member of one of the professional associations that exist across the country.

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