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The Hong Kong Government is now considering the recommendations in the survey report in the light of the comments made by the Court Interpreters' Association. factors which are being examined include dock-side interpretation, the seriousness of offences tried in the High Court, the proportion of complex cases which require a Senior Court Interpreter and the requirement for Court Interpreters to vet and certify translations of Chinese documents. include many of the points referred to by Mr Justice Yang and Mr Justice Li in their memorandum enclosed with your letter. The Registrar, Supreme Court, is closely involved in this re-examination.
You referred to the long working hours of Court Interpreters.
These
Working hours of Court Interpreters are from 9 am to 5.30 pm. Courts are in session from 9.30 am to 1 pm and from 2.15 to 4.30 pm. New appointees generally undergo full-time training for 2 to 3 weeks in court procedure and legal terminology. Thereafter Court Interpreters receive one lecture a week for four months. The Hong Kong Government does not consider that these working hours are excessive or are interfering with training opportunities.
Some Court Interpreters have been leaving to join other grades but this is not considered to be a serious problem. the years 1985 to 1987 there were 32 vacancies in the Court Interpreter grades, for which there were 3,506 applicants. All vacancies have been filled over the last three years.
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