Non-Arabic speaking petitioners now need interpreters at courts
The Supreme Judicial Council has released a circular ordering non-Arabic speaking expatriate plaintiffs to hire an interpreter when appearing before the civil courts, it was learnt.
The decision may badly affect low-income workers who can’t afford hiring interpreters while attending court proceedings, legal sources say.
Earlier, there was a provision for expatriates to seek the help of interpreters employed by the Justice Ministry during court hearings. But now they won’t receive this service, legal sources said.
It will be difficult for many low-income expats to hire the services of interpreters, they added. “The move will lead to the hiring of interpreters, who are not approved by the Supreme Judicial Council, and this new practice could change the course of many serious cases.”
However, expatriates can seek the services of interpreters employed by Justice Ministry in cases involving employment disputes with their companies. The legal sources added that the step could be seen as a measure to cut costs within the Justice Ministry.
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