By Paul Reoch

A PERTH councillor last night suggested the present system used to deploy the services of interpreters at sheriff courts may be in need of an overhaul.

Alexander Stewart voiced his concerns after statistics revealed over £50,000 has been spent on the services of interpreters at Perth Sheriff Court over 2006 and 2007.

The figures were supplied by the Scottish Court Service (SCS) after The Courier requested them under the Freedom of Information Act.

They show £27,284 was spent on interpreters at the court in 2006, rising to £28,349.

Whilst the SCS could not provide details of the main language spoken by interpreters on these occasions, a spokesperson said the dominant translation language in Scotland last year was Polish, then Mandarin and Lithuanian.

Councillor Stewart, who is one of the representatives for Perth City South, said he noted the figures “with interest,” and feels the situation needs addressed.

“Over the last two years in excess of £50,000 has been spent on interpreters assisting at Perth Sheriff Court,” he told The Courier.

“And if this trend continues, then we perhaps need to look at ways of improving the quality and availability of interpreters needed to assist our migrant population— which would, of course, also include adjusting budgets to allow for this type of expenditure.”

He continued, “We are all well aware of the positive impact that migrant workers are having on our economy. But there are sometimes repercussions on services, amenities and facilities, and it is quite clear that there is a demand in this area.

“It is the responsibility of the police to advise the procurator fiscal in the police report whether the accused or any proposed prosecution witness requires the services of an interpreter to give evidence in court,” Mr Stewart said.

“As far as I am aware, it is then up to the PF’s office to engage a suitably qualified and experienced interpreter skilled in the language and dialect specified in this report.

“However, research has shown that the standard of this service does not always come up to the level required, and the interpreters themselves felt they had not provided an adequate service.”

An SCS spokesperson said, “The SCS has been responsible for providing interpreters for an accused appearing in court since April 2002.

“This includes British sign language as well as foreign language interpreters.

“The SCS performs this duty as an impartial body, independent of both prosecution and defence interests. Interpreters for witnesses are instructed by the party citing the witness. Interpreters for prosecution witnesses are instructed by the Crown Office, and interpreters for defence will be briefed by defence solicitors.”

She added, “In terms of access to justice, the Human Rights Act 1998 and the Scotland Act 1998 that established a devolved Scottish Parliament determine that all public authorities, including the courts and other justice organisations, are required to respect the guarantees in the European Convention of Human Rights.

“Article six of the Human Rights Act specifically allows everyone charged with a criminal offence the right to have the free assistance of an interpreter if he/she can’t understand or speak the language used in court.

“The act further provides that a public authority can’t act in a manner incompatible with the convention, and a challenge may be brought before the court for determination.”

It has been estimated that the SCS has spent more than £1 million on interpreters’ fees for non- English speakers since 2002.

Sheriff Kevin Drummond last year said foreign nationals who do not show up for court dates should be held responsible for paying the cost of their interpreters.