AUSIT Webinar | 20250620 Court-Ready Essential Preparation for Interpreters Working on Trials and Multi-day Hearings

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.

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.