Court Interpreting in Australia: Why Accuracy Matters
Imagine being in one of the most high-pressure situations imaginable: a courtroom, where every word matters.
Now imagine your words are interpreted incorrectly. A statement is misunderstood, an important detail is left out, or something you never said is added to your testimony.
What happens then?
In January 2026, ABC News reported on an ongoing Victorian Supreme Court trial where a second interpreter identified more than 200 errors in the interpretation of a witness’s testimony. The errors included omissions, additions and misinterpretations, raising serious questions about accuracy in court interpreting.
The court decided to proceed with an amended transcript of the evidence.
The case highlights an important issue. A lot of the time, court interpreting is not simply about speaking two languages. It is about ensuring people can participate in legal proceedings and be understood accurately.
Why Is Court Interpreting So Important?
Australia’s courts serve people from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds. When someone cannot fully understand or communicate in English, an interpreter helps facilitate communication between that person and the court.
Court interpreters may work with witnesses, defendants, lawyers and other participants in legal proceedings.
Their responsibilities can include interpreting questions, answers and other spoken communication as accurately and completely as possible.
Even small differences in wording can change the meaning of a statement.
For example, there is a difference between saying someone does not remember an event and saying they do not know whether it happened. Although the statements may sound similar, they communicate different things.
In a courtroom, these small distinctions really matter.
It is the responsibility of an interpreter to convey what a person actually communicates without adding personal opinions, leaving out information or changing the intended meaning.
What Can Go Wrong During Court Interpreting?
Interpreting is a demanding task that requires concentration, strong language proficiency and a thorough understanding of the communication taking place. There are also several challenges that can affect accuracy.
1. Misinterpretation
A word or expression may have several meanings depending on its context. If an interpreter misunderstands the intended meaning, the resulting interpretation may communicate something different from what the speaker said.
Legal terminology can make this particularly challenging.
2. Omissions and additions
Interpreters must communicate the speaker’s message accurately without leaving out relevant information or introducing information that was never expressed.
Under pressure, maintaining completeness and accuracy can be difficult, particularly during lengthy or complex proceedings.
3. Cultural and linguistic differences
Languages do not always have direct equivalents for particular expressions, cultural references or concepts.
Interpreters need to understand the context and select appropriate language to convey the intended meaning as accurately as possible.
4. Fatigue and concentration
Court proceedings can involve long periods of intensive listening and interpreting. Mental fatigue can affect concentration and performance. Recommended national standards for working with interpreters in courts and tribunals recognise the importance of appropriate working conditions, including breaks and interpreter support.
These challenges demonstrate why professional competence and suitable working arrangements are important.
What Makes a Good Court Interpreter?
Being bilingual is a valuable skill, but professional interpreting requires much more than fluency in two languages.
Interpreters need a combination of linguistic ability, technical skills and professional knowledge.
1. Language proficiency: A strong command of both working languages, including vocabulary, expressions and different language registers.
2. Active listening and concentration: The ability to listen carefully, retain information and communicate it accurately.
3. Interpreting techniques: Skills such as memory management, note-taking and consecutive interpreting.
4. Cultural competence: An understanding of how cultural context influences communication.
5. Professional ethics: A commitment to accuracy, impartiality and confidentiality.
6. Preparation and research: The ability to research unfamiliar terminology and prepare for the subject matter before an assignment.
These competencies help interpreters manage complex situations while maintaining their professional responsibilities.
Why Professional Ethics Matter
Court interpreters have a responsibility to interpret accurately and impartially.
They are not there to help one party win a case, explain away a statement or make a speaker sound more convincing. Their role is to communicate what is said as accurately and faithfully as possible.
The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia outlines the importance of interpreters’ duties of accuracy and impartiality in its practice direction on working with interpreters.
NAATI-certified interpreters are also required to follow relevant professional ethics requirements, including confidentiality and working within their competence.
Professional ethics are therefore not simply theoretical concepts. They guide how interpreters respond to real situations, including when they encounter ambiguity, unfamiliar terminology or potential conflicts of interest.
Do You Need Training to Become an Interpreter in Australia?
If you are interested in becoming an interpreter, developing your language skills is a starting point. However, professional interpreting also requires specialised knowledge and practical skills.
Formal training can help aspiring interpreters develop the competencies needed for professional practice, including interpreting techniques, intercultural communication and ethical decision-making.
For people pursuing NAATI certification, relevant formal training is also part of the prerequisite requirements. The specific requirements depend on the credential being pursued.
Studying interpreting can help you understand what professional interpreting involves and prepare you for the responsibilities of working in different settings.
Study Interpreting at SIIT
The Sydney Institute of Interpreting and Translating (SIIT) offers interpreting courses for people looking to develop their professional skills and explore career pathways in the language services industry.
Whether you are beginning your journey or building on your existing language abilities, learning professional interpreting techniques can help you better understand the demands of the role.
Explore SIIT’s interpreting courses to learn more about available study pathways.
Every Word Matters
The reported Victorian Supreme Court case is a reminder of how much responsibility interpreters carry in high-pressure situations.
Accuracy, impartiality and professional competence are essential when people rely on interpreters to communicate during legal proceedings.
For aspiring interpreters, it also highlights why professional training matters. Being bilingual or speaking two languages may open the door, but interpreting requires the skills to communicate meaning accurately when the stakes are high.
Interested in becoming an interpreter? Explore SIIT’s interpreting courses and take the next step towards developing your professional skills.