SENIOR COURT INTERPRETER

Job Overview

The Eastern Cape Division of the High Court in Mthatha is seeking a Senior Court Interpreter (Ref No: 2026/141/OCJ). The role involves rendering legal interpreting services across various court proceedings, translating documents, and developing terminology databases. Requirements include a National Diploma in Legal Interpreting at NQF level 6 with 2 years of experience, or a Grade 12 certificate with 10 years of experience, alongside proficiency in English and local languages such as isiXhosa, Afrikaans, isiZulu, or Sesotho. Applications must be emailed to the provided address.

Requirements & Qualifications

• National Diploma in Legal Interpreting or equivalent qualification at NQF level six (6) with 360 credits as recognised by SAQA, with a minimum of two (2) years’ practical experience in Court Interpreting; OR Grade twelve (12) certificate with at least ten (10) years’ practical experience in Court Interpreting.
• Proficiency in English, isiXhosa, Afrikaans, isiZulu or Sesotho.
• A valid driver’s license will serve as an added advantage.
• Knowledge of relevant acts and regulations, culture, subject area, and translation time frames.
• Computer literacy (MS Office).
• Effective communication (written and verbal), time management, interpersonal, listening, customer service, problem-solving, planning, organizing, decision-making, and analytical skills.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

• Render interpreting services in Children’s Act matters, criminal and civil proceedings, Domestic Violence Act, Older Persons Act, Family matters, Protection from Harassment Act, Labour, Maintenance Act, Child Justice matters, Inquests, and quasi-judicial matters.
• Interpret in small claims courts, disciplinary hearings, conciliation and arbitration, confessions, pre-trial proceedings, and consultations.
• Liaise with the supervisor for foreign language interpreters and engage with the judiciary to confer on interpreter readiness and performance.
• Render audible and clear interpreting from source to target language without embellishment or omissions while preserving meaning.
• Translate legal documents and exhibits, check, edit, and revise translated documents, and translate mechanically recorded audio material.
• Develop terminology, build databases, populate glossary registers, gather trial documents, attend to mechanical recordings, and compare notes of the Presiding Officer, State, and Defence.

Enquiries & Contact