Show Search Form

Search Results

registered interest	true false
date	exactly: or between: and
answering body
answering dept id
answering dept short name
answering dept sort name
hansard heading
house id
legislature	pref label
question text
tabling member printed
uin
answer	is ministerial correction true false date of answer exactly: or between: and answer text answering member printed grouped question UIN question first answered answering member label
tabling member	label

Search

1203079

	registered interest
	date	11/06/2020
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	Courts: Coronavirus
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government how many court hearings held remotely since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic have (1) included the virtual presence of an interpreter, and (2) been rescheduled because an interpreter was needed but not available. [T]
	tabling member printed	Baroness Coussins
	uin	HL5587
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/06/2020 answer text <p>Information on how many hearings held remotely since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic for spoken and non-spoken interpretation is provided below. The difference in start dates reflect the fact that thebigword’s system did not start recording any remote bookings until 30<sup>th</sup> March. We expect that very few took place before this date.</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p>Dates</p></td><td><p>Number of telephone interpreting hearings</p></td><td><p>Number of video remote interpreting hearings</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>thebigword – spoken interpretation</p></td><td><p>30.3.2020 – 12.6.2020</p></td><td><p>2769</p></td><td><p>1470</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Clarion uk – Non- spoken interpretation</p></td><td><p>23.3.2020 – 12.6.2020</p></td><td><p>N/A</p></td><td><p>288</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>The Ministry of Justice does not collect data on all hearings that have been rescheduled because an interpreter was unavailable. HMCTS performance data, including ineffective trial rates due to interpreter availability, is currently not available for this period.</p> answering member printed Lord Keen of Elie question first answered 18/06/2020 15:10:10 answering member 4538 label Biography information for Lord Keen of Elie
	tabling member	3829 label Biography information for Baroness Coussins

1327252

	registered interest
	date	24/05/2021
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	Ministry of Justice: Interpreters
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government how many interpreters registered with the Ministry of Justice have been (1) removed from the register, or (2) otherwise sanctioned, as a result of the spot checks and in-person assessments carried out from 1 January 2019 by the quality assurance provider The Language Shop.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Coussins
	uin	HL477
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/06/2021 answer text <p>The Ministry of Justice is committed to ensuring the justice system is supported by a suite of high- quality language service contracts, that meet the needs of all those that require them.</p><p>The contracts have a clearly defined list of qualifications, skills, experience and vetting requirements interpreters must meet, which have been designed to meet the needs of the justice system. These are</p><p>set out in our contracts, which can be found at the following link:</p><p><a href="https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/975cb99e-fec6-430f-8f31-fd532a907137?p=@=UFQxblRRPT0=NjJNT08" target="_blank">https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/975cb99e-fec6-430f-8f31-fd532a907137?p=@=UFQxblRRPT0=NjJNT08</a></p><p>Our qualification and experience requirements and associated quality assurance arrangements provided by The Language Shop (TLS), have been carefully considered and have been designed so as to maintain the quality of interpretation provided under the contract, meet the demands and requirements of the Ministry and other contract users and encourage new entrants to the profession.</p><p>The Ministry of Justice will shortly be undertaking work to develop the next generation of Language Services contracts.</p><p>For the period 01/01/2019 – 21/05/2021, 169 language professionals have been removed and 40 language professionals have been sanctioned as a result of a Spot Check or In-Person Assessment.</p><p>The required standard comprises a number of different elements</p><p>All interpreters are required to meet the qualification requirements set out in the contract between the MoJ and the language service supplier. The requirements vary depending on the complexity of the bookings and the language in question. The specific requirement in each case is set out here: <a href="https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/975cb99e-fec6-430f-8f31-fd532a907137?p=@=UFQxblRRPT0=NjJNT08" target="_blank">https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/975cb99e-fec6-430f-8f31-fd532a907137?p=@=UFQxblRRPT0=NjJNT08</a></p><p>TLS review the qualifications at the point of carrying out an assessment of an interpreter and will remove the interpreter if the supplier fails to demonstrate that they hold the correct qualifications.</p><p>All interpreters are required to comply with the MoJ code of conduct at all times. Any serious breach of the code of conduct, observed through an assessment by TLS or identified and confirmed through a complaint investigation, will result in removal from the register.</p><p>Interpreters also have to demonstrate competence in language proficiency, interpreting/professional skills, and subject matter knowledge. Interpreters are regularly assessed to ensure their interpreting meets the requirements of the assignment, being observed across each of the three competencies.</p> answering member printed Lord Wolfson of Tredegar grouped question UIN HL476 HL478 question first answered 08/06/2021 14:52:30 answering member 4901 label Biography information for Lord Wolfson of Tredegar
	tabling member	3829 label Biography information for Baroness Coussins

1358886

	registered interest
	date	12/10/2021
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	Interpreters: Courts and Tribunals
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government how often each year between 2017 and 2020 interpreters were used in courts or tribunals in each of the following case categories, as specified by the Ministry of Justice's language services contract: (1) complex written, (2) complex, and (3) standard.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Coussins
	uin	HL3003
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/10/2021 answer text <p>A table with the answer to the question is below:</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><p>HMCTS - Volume By Complexity &amp; Calendar Year</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Year</p></td><td><p>Complexity</p></td><td><p>Volume</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2017</p></td><td><p>Standard</p></td><td><p>25,899</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2017</p></td><td><p>Complex</p></td><td><p>104,382</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2017</p></td><td><p>Complex Written</p></td><td><p>3,766</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2018</p></td><td><p>Standard</p></td><td><p>26,230</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2018</p></td><td><p>Complex</p></td><td><p>101,539</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2018</p></td><td><p>Complex Written</p></td><td><p>4,125</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2019</p></td><td><p>Standard</p></td><td><p>27,520</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2019</p></td><td><p>Complex</p></td><td><p>100,720</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2019</p></td><td><p>Complex Written</p></td><td><p>5,687</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2020</p></td><td><p>Standard</p></td><td><p>27,113</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2020</p></td><td><p>Complex</p></td><td><p>69,058</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2020</p></td><td><p>Complex Written</p></td><td><p>4,046</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>Please note this data includes fulfilled Face to Face bookings only due to the enquiry referring to instances where HMCTS has ‘engaged individuals’</p> answering member printed Lord Wolfson of Tredegar question first answered 27/10/2021 16:37:10 answering member 4901 label Biography information for Lord Wolfson of Tredegar
	tabling member	3829 label Biography information for Baroness Coussins

1327251

	registered interest
	date	24/05/2021
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	Ministry of Justice: Interpreters
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to increase the (1) qualifications, and (2) experience, required for interpreters to be listed on the Ministry of Justice register to the same levels as interpreters joining the National Register of Public Service Interpreters.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Coussins
	uin	HL476
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/06/2021 answer text <p>The Ministry of Justice is committed to ensuring the justice system is supported by a suite of high- quality language service contracts, that meet the needs of all those that require them.</p><p>The contracts have a clearly defined list of qualifications, skills, experience and vetting requirements interpreters must meet, which have been designed to meet the needs of the justice system. These are</p><p>set out in our contracts, which can be found at the following link:</p><p><a href="https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/975cb99e-fec6-430f-8f31-fd532a907137?p=@=UFQxblRRPT0=NjJNT08" target="_blank">https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/975cb99e-fec6-430f-8f31-fd532a907137?p=@=UFQxblRRPT0=NjJNT08</a></p><p>Our qualification and experience requirements and associated quality assurance arrangements provided by The Language Shop (TLS), have been carefully considered and have been designed so as to maintain the quality of interpretation provided under the contract, meet the demands and requirements of the Ministry and other contract users and encourage new entrants to the profession.</p><p>The Ministry of Justice will shortly be undertaking work to develop the next generation of Language Services contracts.</p><p>For the period 01/01/2019 – 21/05/2021, 169 language professionals have been removed and 40 language professionals have been sanctioned as a result of a Spot Check or In-Person Assessment.</p><p>The required standard comprises a number of different elements</p><p>All interpreters are required to meet the qualification requirements set out in the contract between the MoJ and the language service supplier. The requirements vary depending on the complexity of the bookings and the language in question. The specific requirement in each case is set out here: <a href="https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/975cb99e-fec6-430f-8f31-fd532a907137?p=@=UFQxblRRPT0=NjJNT08" target="_blank">https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/975cb99e-fec6-430f-8f31-fd532a907137?p=@=UFQxblRRPT0=NjJNT08</a></p><p>TLS review the qualifications at the point of carrying out an assessment of an interpreter and will remove the interpreter if the supplier fails to demonstrate that they hold the correct qualifications.</p><p>All interpreters are required to comply with the MoJ code of conduct at all times. Any serious breach of the code of conduct, observed through an assessment by TLS or identified and confirmed through a complaint investigation, will result in removal from the register.</p><p>Interpreters also have to demonstrate competence in language proficiency, interpreting/professional skills, and subject matter knowledge. Interpreters are regularly assessed to ensure their interpreting meets the requirements of the assignment, being observed across each of the three competencies.</p> answering member printed Lord Wolfson of Tredegar grouped question UIN HL477 HL478 question first answered 08/06/2021 14:52:30 answering member 4901 label Biography information for Lord Wolfson of Tredegar
	tabling member	3829 label Biography information for Baroness Coussins

1149727

	registered interest
	date	14/10/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	thebigword
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government when the contract with thebigword to provide interpreting and translation services in the criminal justice system will be reviewed.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Coussins
	uin	HL20
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/10/2019 answer text <p>The Language Services contracts commenced on 31 October 2016, with thebigword appointed as providers of spoken face to face, telephone and video interpretation as well as translation and transcription services.</p><p> </p><p>The initial term of the contracts is four years with up to three one-year extensions available.</p><p> </p><p>The initial term of the contracts with thebigword is due to expire on 30th October 2020. The first option to extend for one-year has been agreed for translation and transcription services, and has also been approved for spoken face to face, telephone and video interpretation services.</p><p> </p><p>The future of the contract, including the possibility of further extensions, is currently being considered.</p> answering member printed Lord Keen of Elie question first answered 21/10/2019 15:27:36 answering member 4538 label Biography information for Lord Keen of Elie
	tabling member	3829 label Biography information for Baroness Coussins

1038906

	registered interest
	date	10/01/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	Criminal Proceedings: Interpreters
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they expect to bring forward measures to ensure that Directive 2010/64/EU of the European Parliament, providing for the right to interpretation and translation in criminal proceedings, will be incorporated into UK statute before 29 March; and if so, when.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Coussins
	uin	HL12743
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/01/2019 answer text <p>Directive 2010/64/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 October 2010 on the right to interpretation and translation in criminal proceedings was transposed into UK domestic law by 27 October 2013 when it came into force. The Government has no plan currently to alter those provisions.</p> answering member printed Lord Keen of Elie question first answered 21/01/2019 17:24:46 answering member 4538 label Biography information for Lord Keen of Elie
	tabling member	3829 label Biography information for Baroness Coussins

1327253

	registered interest
	date	24/05/2021
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	Courts: Interpreters
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by Baroness Williams of Trafford on 18 May (HL Deb, col 558) that interpreters "will be removed from the register if they fail to reach the required standard", what are the detailed components of "the required standard".
	tabling member printed	Baroness Coussins
	uin	HL478
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/06/2021 answer text <p>The Ministry of Justice is committed to ensuring the justice system is supported by a suite of high- quality language service contracts, that meet the needs of all those that require them.</p><p>The contracts have a clearly defined list of qualifications, skills, experience and vetting requirements interpreters must meet, which have been designed to meet the needs of the justice system. These are</p><p>set out in our contracts, which can be found at the following link:</p><p><a href="https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/975cb99e-fec6-430f-8f31-fd532a907137?p=@=UFQxblRRPT0=NjJNT08" target="_blank">https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/975cb99e-fec6-430f-8f31-fd532a907137?p=@=UFQxblRRPT0=NjJNT08</a></p><p>Our qualification and experience requirements and associated quality assurance arrangements provided by The Language Shop (TLS), have been carefully considered and have been designed so as to maintain the quality of interpretation provided under the contract, meet the demands and requirements of the Ministry and other contract users and encourage new entrants to the profession.</p><p>The Ministry of Justice will shortly be undertaking work to develop the next generation of Language Services contracts.</p><p>For the period 01/01/2019 – 21/05/2021, 169 language professionals have been removed and 40 language professionals have been sanctioned as a result of a Spot Check or In-Person Assessment.</p><p>The required standard comprises a number of different elements</p><p>All interpreters are required to meet the qualification requirements set out in the contract between the MoJ and the language service supplier. The requirements vary depending on the complexity of the bookings and the language in question. The specific requirement in each case is set out here: <a href="https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/975cb99e-fec6-430f-8f31-fd532a907137?p=@=UFQxblRRPT0=NjJNT08" target="_blank">https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/975cb99e-fec6-430f-8f31-fd532a907137?p=@=UFQxblRRPT0=NjJNT08</a></p><p>TLS review the qualifications at the point of carrying out an assessment of an interpreter and will remove the interpreter if the supplier fails to demonstrate that they hold the correct qualifications.</p><p>All interpreters are required to comply with the MoJ code of conduct at all times. Any serious breach of the code of conduct, observed through an assessment by TLS or identified and confirmed through a complaint investigation, will result in removal from the register.</p><p>Interpreters also have to demonstrate competence in language proficiency, interpreting/professional skills, and subject matter knowledge. Interpreters are regularly assessed to ensure their interpreting meets the requirements of the assignment, being observed across each of the three competencies.</p> answering member printed Lord Wolfson of Tredegar grouped question UIN HL476 HL477 question first answered 08/06/2021 14:52:30 answering member 4901 label Biography information for Lord Wolfson of Tredegar
	tabling member	3829 label Biography information for Baroness Coussins

513477

	registered interest
	date	18/04/2016
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	Courts: Interpreters
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many court cases have had to be rescheduled in each of the last five years because of problems with the interpreting or translating services required; and what was the additional cost incurred in each year as a result of such rescheduling.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Coussins
	uin	HL7734
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/05/2016 answer text <p>Information on the number of trials listed in the criminal courts which were adjourned (ineffective) due to interpreter availability is published in Criminal Court Statistics; the relevant extract is set out below.</p><p> </p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p> </p></td><td colspan="3"><p>Crown Courts</p></td><td colspan="3"><p>Magistrates’ Courts</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Year</p></td><td><p>Number of trials</p></td><td><p>Adjourned due to interpreter availability</p></td><td><p>% of trials adjourned due to interpreter availability</p></td><td><p>Number of trials</p></td><td><p>Adjourned due to interpreter availability</p></td><td><p>% of trials adjourned due to interpreter availability</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2011</p></td><td><p>41,412</p></td><td><p>17</p></td><td><p>0.0%</p></td><td><p>166,808</p></td><td><p>327</p></td><td><p>0.2%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2012</p></td><td><p>38,432</p></td><td><p>34</p></td><td><p>0.1%</p></td><td><p>156,671</p></td><td><p>608</p></td><td><p>0.4%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2013</p></td><td><p>33,669</p></td><td><p>37</p></td><td><p>0.1%</p></td><td><p>155,087</p></td><td><p>591</p></td><td><p>0.4%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2014</p></td><td><p>35,974</p></td><td><p>26</p></td><td><p>0.1%</p></td><td><p>158,984</p></td><td><p>524</p></td><td><p>0.3%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2015</p></td><td><p>39,036</p></td><td><p>23</p></td><td><p>0.1%</p></td><td><p>162,668</p></td><td><p>474</p></td><td><p>0.3%</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>Associated costs for rescheduling such cases are not recorded.</p><p> </p><p>The department continues to monitor the language services contract closely and work with the supplier to further drive improvements and reduce the cost on the taxpayer.</p> answering member printed Lord Faulks question first answered 03/05/2016 11:19:32 answering member 4183 label Biography information for Lord Faulks
	tabling member	3829 label Biography information for Baroness Coussins

672272

	registered interest
	date	12/01/2017
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	Courts: Interpreters
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government how the provision of court interpreters is being independently monitored.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Coussins
	uin	HL4610
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/01/2017 answer text <p>The new language service contracts began on 31 October 2016 and are subject to robust governance arrangements.</p><p>These include monthly meetings with suppliers and stakeholders to monitor and discuss, in detail, the quality of the services being provided and performance against contractual performance indicators. The contracts also provide for the Ministry to audit the suppliers to verify the accuracy of contractual payments, management information, and compliance with contractual obligations.</p><p> </p><p>In addition, the Ministry has awarded a contract to 'The Language Shop' (part of the London Borough of Newham) to provide independent quality assurance of the services provided under the other contracts, including those awarded to the thebigword Ltd. The Language Shop undertakes this assurance in a number of ways, including managing the Ministry’s register of interpreters, conducting an annual audit of supplier processes for introducing new linguists, and a programme of 'spot checks' of interpreters undertaking assignments.</p><p> </p><p>The Language Shop also has a responsibility to assure the correct levels of qualifications, skills, security clearance and experience are held by each linguist through their ongoing assessment programme and in response to complaints or specific concerns during the contract period.</p> answering member printed Lord Keen of Elie question first answered 26/01/2017 14:26:43 answering member 4538 label Biography information for Lord Keen of Elie
	tabling member	3829 label Biography information for Baroness Coussins

417494

	registered interest
	date	08/09/2015
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	Rights of Accused
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the compatibility of the current United Kingdom law with the European Union Directives on the right to information in criminal proceedings, and on the right to interpretation and translation in criminal proceedings.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Coussins
	uin	HL2090
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/09/2015 answer text <p /> <p>The UK Government opted into these Directives, on 22 October 2010 and on 8 March 2010 respectively, and in transposing them into domestic law undertook careful analysis of the state of the existing law and whether any new measures were required to ensure compliance. As a result of this assessment, in England and Wales transposition included several new legislative measures, subsequently approved by Parliament, and the Devolved Administrations made similar arrangements. A full transposition table was provided to the European Commission as is normal practice. As with all Directives, the Government keeps compliance under review.</p> answering member printed Lord Faulks question first answered 22/09/2015 09:41:30 answering member 4183 label Biography information for Lord Faulks
	tabling member	3829 label Biography information for Baroness Coussins