Specialist Legal Interpreting
Accredited Course UK standard qualifications
Welcome to the information page for Specialist Legal Interpreting
The aim of this advanced stream is to ensure those who wish to work as interpreters in legal settings have the appropriate skills and standards for working in these complex environments.
The Specialist Legal Interpreting stream will ensure the learner’s knowledge of:
- the legal systems and jurisdictions of the England & Wales and Northern Ireland;
- the understanding of working as a British Sign Language Interpreter across a range of legal domains including Police, Tribunals, Courts and working with legal professionals and Jurors.
This advanced stream is suitable for those who already hold a Level 6 Diploma in Sign Language Interpreting or equivalent and who are either currently working as, or are aspiring towards a career as a professional Legal Specialist Interpreter.
At the end of the advanced stream learners will be able to:
- Demonstrate an advanced understanding of the knowledge and understanding
of the legal systems and jurisdictions in the UK;
Demonstrate their ability to carry out a range of legal interpreting assignments to a safe and advanced professional standard; - Demonstrate safe practice across a wide range of legal assignments;
- Demonstrate an advanced understanding of the role of the professional interpreter and the principles of professional practice within legal domains.
Upon successful completion of this advanced stream, the learner will be able to use this knowledge to interpret across all legal domains.
Part 1
LO1: Understand the legal systems and jurisdictions of the police, courts, tribunals, probation and prison service
LO2: Understand the legal procedures and personnel within police, courts and tribunals
LO3: Understand the role of the interpreter when working in a wide variety of legal settings and understand and identify protocols relating to legal etiquette
LO4: Prepare for legal interpreting assignments
LO5: Know how to work with technology in legal domains
LO6: Understand and know how to interpret key legal vocabulary and terminology
LO7: Understand and evaluate the specific team-working requirements of working within legal domains
Part 2
LO1: Competently and professionally interpret across a wide range of legal settings, demonstrating understanding of the theoretical and underpinning knowledge of legal proceedings and etiquette
LO2: Work as part of a team of professional interpreters in legal settings
LO3: Use technology to perform remote interpreting assignments in legal settings
frequently asked questions
Where can I find more course content details?
The best place to find more details on the course itself is on the Signature Specifications page. Details of this course are linked alongside Level 6 Diploma in Sign Language Interpreting and Translation.
Is there remote access?
This course is face-to-face only. The course will have a practical element that will include visits to courts, prisons and police stations.
What are the course requirements?
Learners must:
- hold a Signature Level 6 Diploma in Sign Language Interpreting or equivalent qualification
- a minimum of two years post-qualification experience; centres are responsible for asking interpreters to provide proof of date of qualification, which must be submitted as part of the enrolment process.
- a minimum of 1000 hours of post-qualification interpreting experience, which includes at least 200 hours of interpreting in a formal environment (e.g. conference, board meeting, interview). Centres are responsible for viewing evidence from learners, or written supporting evidence from agencies, employers, range of clients.
What payment options are available?
Fees can be paid upfront or in instalments. For this course, you can pay in 3, 6 or 9 monthly instalments. We use a payment processor that will automatically take payment from your account on the same day every month.
All payment plans are interest-free, and all prices are inclusive. You only pay what you see. The main rule is that the first payment must be made before classes start. Places can be reserved for a £50 deposit, which is deducted from your first payment.
Payment Plans
Full payment, 3 monthly, 6 monthly, 9 monthly
Who are Signature and why do they matter?
Signature specifies and accredits BSL qualifications in the UK under OFQUAL. A Signature qualification is recorded under your National Learning Record, is portable across other national accredited bodies and is regulated for quality.
Study Tips!
BSL uses finger spelling for names or information that may not have a sign. It’s really important to master this skill. Click to download a pdf.
Similarly, BSL uses fingers for numbers; Another really important skill to learn. Click to download a pdf.
Here are some useful resources that will help you with your studies:
- Action Deafness Books – www.actiondeafnessbooks.org.uk
- Signature’s BSL Online Homework – www.bslhomework.org.uk
- Signature’s Homework DVDs – shop.signature.org.uk
- ITV Signpost – www.signpostbsl.com
- Sign Station – www.signstation.org