The Armed Forces (Service Courts Rules) (Amendment) Rules 2015

Court Martial rules

10.  After rule 22 (interpreters) insert—

“Interpretation and translation for persons other than a person to whom proceedings relate

22A.— (1) Where the complainant is due to attend a hearing as a witness, the court administration officer, where satisfied that the person needs interpretation, shall appoint an interpreter to act at the hearing.

(2) The court administration officer may also appoint an interpreter for any other witness who is required to give evidence at a hearing, other than a person to whom any proceedings relate.

(3) Before an interpreter begins to act at a hearing, an oath shall be administered to the interpreter.

(4) Before an interpreter is sworn, the interpreter’s name shall be read out, and any party to the proceedings may object to the interpreter on any reasonable ground.

(5) If the judge advocate upholds any such objection, the interpreter shall not be sworn, and the court administration officer shall appoint another interpreter.

(6) On application or on his own initiative, the judge advocate may require a written translation of any document or part of a document to be provided for a person who attends a hearing as a witness (other than a person to whom any proceedings relate) and who needs interpretation.”.