AUSIT TAS Presents: Court-Ready: Essential Preparation for Interpreters Working on Trials and Multi-day Hearings (Hybrid event)

Court interpreting can be exceptionally demanding for a variety of reasons. Interpreters face intense mental fatigue from processing all kinds of legal terminology. The high-stakes environment creates enormous pressure, as errors can affect judicial outcomes and defendants' rights. Interpreters must also navigate professional relationships in court while advocating for adequate working conditions. Additionally, they can be exposed to vicarious trauma when they have to deal with evidence that is disturbing or confronting. This combination of cognitive, physical, and emotional challenges makes courtroom interpreting one of the profession's most difficult specialisations.

To meet these challenges, AUSIT is delivering this hands-on professional development opportunity that is designed both for colleagues who are curious about legal interpreting and experienced court interpreters. You will be learning effective strategies to help you prepare for trials and multi-day hearings in both civil and criminal cases. The workshop will cover topics such as how to clarify your role, identify potential ethical hazards, establish ideal working conditions, familiarise yourself with the case, understand relevant laws and procedures, grasp your obligations as an officer of the court, and protect your mental health.

Real-life examples and case studies will be shared throughout the workshop. Participants will also receive a workbook to put the strategies they have learnt into practice. By the end of this workshop, you will face multiple days of interpreting in court with confidence and professionalism.

This hybrid event can be attended either in person at the University of Tasmania, Podium Building Room A (Level 2), 40 Melville Street, Hobart, or online via Zoom. Please choose an in-person or online ticket when registering.

Our Presenter - Carl Gene Fordham
Carl Gene Fordham is a NAATI-certified Chinese translator and Mandarin interpreter who specialises in court interpreting (Mandarin-English) and forensic translation (Chinese>English). Carl also serves as AUSIT's National President and teaches T&I part-time at the University of Queensland.

In-Person Attendance

Access to level 2 of the Podium Building is off Melville Street, please enter the building via the door featuring AUSIT event signage. An AUSIT Tasmania representative will guide you to the classroom location.

Public transport: UTAS is within close proximity to public transport (bus, taxi) in Elizabeth Street (1 min walk).

Street Parking: Parking is available nearby in Melville, Elizabeth and Argyle Streets.

Online Attendance

The Zoom link for online attendance will be sent out 1 day prior to the event. Please ensure you have downloaded the latest version of Zoom in preparation.

PD Logbook

Intermediate PD.

Please  consult the NAATI Recertification Catalogue to allocate the relevant PD Points. Some activities can be included under different categories, so please choose the most appropriate category for your recertification purposes.

Certificates and Recordings
Webinar recordings and Certificates for PD purposes may take approximately two (2) weeks to be released following the event.

This is a live webinar event and will be recorded. The recording
will be shared with registrants.

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