Interpretation in the Danish legal system

Now and then, the Danish legal system uses interpreters who do not have linguistic or interpretation qualifications. This could be for criminal cases involving interpreter assistance for refugee or migrant languages. These interpreters often lack linguistic and/or interpretation skills and professionalism.

The core issue we are attempting to address in this report is whether the framework offered to a defendant by the Danish legal system actually ensures that the person in question is treated fairly.

In spring 2015, we completed a number of focus group interviews with judges, prosecutors and lawyers. On the basis of this data, we present and discuss the problems which, according to users of interpreters, arise in
connection with interpreter assistance in the legal system, including whether interpretation presents a problem for due process.

The report also includes a review of the rules for interpreter assistance in connection with criminal procedures within human rights, EU law and Danish law, and it includes an assessment of whether Danish law is in conformity with EU law and human rights.

The study is in Danish, but contains an English summary on page 8.