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672268

	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	thebigword
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have a target figure for cost savings for the provision of court interpreters under the contract with <i>thebigword</i>; and if so, what is it, and against what baseline it is measured.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Coussins
	uin	HL4606
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/01/2017 answer text <p>The Ministry is committed to ensuring the justice system is supported by a range of quality language services that meet the needs of all those that require them.</p><p> </p><p>All our new language service contracts contain robust performance and charging provisions which are designed to ensure the value for money and affordability of the services provided by the department's suppliers. However, we have not felt it appropriate to set a target figure for cost savings for the provision of court interpreters, which is a demand-led service, given the importance we attach to the provision of such support to those who most need it.</p> answering member printed Lord Keen of Elie question first answered 26/01/2017 14:22:30 answering member 4538 label Biography information for Lord Keen of Elie
	tabling member	3829 label Biography information for Baroness Coussins

672269

	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	thebigword
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the contract with <i>thebigword</i> for court interpreters specifies any particular level or type of qualification which individual interpreters are expected to have.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Coussins
	uin	HL4607
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/01/2017 answer text <p>The Ministry is committed to ensuring the justice system is supported by a range of high quality language services that meet the needs of all those that require them.</p><p> </p><p>Bookings are classified depending on their complexity level, namely: ‘standard’, ‘complex’ and ‘complex written’. These complexity levels were determined by each Commissioning Body.</p><p> </p><p>I can confirm that the contract sets out the minimum level of qualification and experience a language professional is required to have in order to work on each complexity level of booking. Details of these qualifications can be found at: <a href="https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/975cb99e-fec6-430f-8f31-fd532a907137" target="_blank">https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/975cb99e-fec6-430f-8f31-fd532a907137</a></p> answering member printed Lord Keen of Elie question first answered 26/01/2017 14:23:54 answering member 4538 label Biography information for Lord Keen of Elie
	tabling member	3829 label Biography information for Baroness Coussins

672273

	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	thebigword
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government which company, or companies, are being sub-contracted by <i>thebigword</i> to provide court interpreting services; and whether those companies are subject to quality assurance.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Coussins
	uin	HL4611
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/01/2017 answer text <p>To ensure a high and consistent level of fulfilment across all geographical areas and in rare languages, thebigword have partnered with a number of subcontractors, namely: Global Language Services Limited, Cintra Translations Limited, Debonair Languages Ltd, Supreme Linguistic Services Ltd, Mango Spice Language Solutions, J-anne Interpreting and Translation Service Limited, Global Translation Services and Language River.</p><p> </p><p>Thebigword must ensure that its subcontracts contain obligations no less onerous on the sub-contractor than those imposed on them by the Ministry, including those relating to quality and performance standards. Thebigword are also responsible for carrying out audits to ensure subcontractor adherence to the contract service specification.</p><p> </p><p>All language professionals provided by thebigword, whether directly or via subcontractor, will be subject to ongoing quality assurance provided by The Language Shop. This includes a programme of 'spot checks' of interpreters undertaking assignments.</p> answering member printed Lord Keen of Elie question first answered 26/01/2017 14:27:17 answering member 4538 label Biography information for Lord Keen of Elie
	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

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

637768

	registered interest
	date	16/11/2016
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	Public Sector: Interpreters
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to include interpreting in public services within the list of excepted professions in Schedule 1 to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Coussins
	uin	HL3281
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/12/2016 answer text <p>The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 lists areas of activity and proceedings which are exceptions to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA), meaning that the employer or other relevant body is entitled to ask for, and take into account, certain spent cautions and convictions (as well as unspent convictions).</p><p> </p><p>For inclusion within the Exceptions Order, there has to be compelling evidence that there exists an exceptional reason for the disclosure of the spent caution or conviction. For example, where the role involves working with vulnerable people. For the ROA to continue to be effective in achieving its aims of improving access to employment and rehabilitation, exceptions to the Act should only be sought where there is good reason.</p><p> </p><p>The exceptions take into account the role the person is carrying out and not necessarily the profession or job they do (unless it is proportionate to protect all roles in a job or profession). Interpreters in certain public service positions may already be included in the Exceptions Order, for example those working within prisons or those working in certain roles with children or vulnerable adults. It would not be appropriate or proportionate, however, to introduce a blanket provision to cover all such interpreters.</p> answering member printed Lord Keen of Elie question first answered 21/12/2016 17:31:30 answering member 4538 label Biography information for Lord Keen of Elie
	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

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

1542047

	registered interest
	date	14/11/2022
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	HM Courts and Tribunals Service: Interpreters
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government whether the full independent review of qualifications and standards for court and tribunal spoken word interpreters, announced by Lord Wolfson of Tredegar on 12 January (HL Deb, col 1151), has been completed; and if so, when it will be published.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Coussins
	uin	HL3341
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/11/2022 answer text <p>This review is ongoing alongside a wider and comprehensive review of language service requirements which is currently being undertaken within my Department. We will, of course, publish the outcome of that review once it is complete.</p> answering member printed Lord Bellamy question first answered 21/11/2022 16:38:16 answering member 4941 label Biography information for Lord Bellamy
	tabling member	3829 label Biography information for Baroness Coussins