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Court translator costs quadrupled

The cost of providing translators for non English speaking defendants in Scottish courts has quadrupled in the past five years.

Figures from the Scottish Court Service show £826,728 was spent on interpreters the financial year to March 2008, compared with £198,896 in 2003/2004.

The Scottish Government said it had a duty under the Human Rights Act to provide interpreters in court. Under the terms of article six of the Human Rights Act, everyone charged with a criminal offence has the right to the free assistance of an interpreter if they cannot speak or understand the language used in court.

Scottish Executive's Fresh Talent initiative was successful in attracting people from overseas to Scotland but there has been very little in terms of English language classes available, particularly night time classes.

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