About the Role
The Eastern Cape Division of The High Court in Mthatha is seeking a dedicated Senior Court Interpreter. This vital role involves rendering interpreting services across various legal matters, including Children’s Act cases, criminal proceedings, and domestic violence matters, ensuring that all parties understand and participate fully in the judicial process. By facilitating communication in a diverse linguistic landscape, this position significantly contributes to the integrity of the South African legal system and the rights of individuals within the community.
In a city rich with cultural diversity, your proficiency in multiple languages, including isiXhosa, Afrikaans, and English, will be crucial. This role not only requires a deep understanding of legal terminology but also the ability to convey nuanced meanings accurately and sensitively, thereby supporting the fair administration of justice. By joining the court’s team, you will play a key role in upholding the principles of public service, ensuring that every citizen has access to justice in their language of choice.
About the Department
The Eastern Cape Division of The High Court is committed to administering justice with integrity, impartiality, and respect for the rule of law. The court’s primary mission is to protect rights and freedoms, ensure fair trials, and uphold the constitution. Working here means becoming part of a dedicated team that values public service and community engagement, making a tangible difference in the lives of the citizens of South Africa.
What You’ll Do
- Provide interpreting services during court proceedings, including pre-trial consultations and various legal matters.
- Render clear and accurate interpretations between source and target languages, ensuring no omissions or embellishments.
- Translate legal documents and audio material, ensuring fidelity to the original source.
- Develop and maintain a glossary of legal terminology to assist in consistent communication.
- Engage with judges and legal professionals to confirm the readiness of interpreters and provide feedback on performance.
- Assist in the reconstruction of records by gathering necessary trial documents and comparing notes for accuracy.
What You’ll Need
- A National Diploma in Legal Interpreting or equivalent qualification at NQF level six with 360 credits recognized by SAQA.
- A minimum of two years of practical experience in court interpreting, or a Grade 12 certificate with ten years’ relevant experience.
- Proficiency in English, isiXhosa, Afrikaans, isiZulu, or Sesotho.
- A valid driver’s license is an advantage.
- Strong knowledge of relevant legal acts and regulations, and effective communication skills.
- Excellent time management, interpersonal skills, and the ability to work under pressure.
How to Apply
Please refer to the application instructions below.
Requirements
Applicants should be in possession of a National Diploma in Legal Interpreting or equivalent qualification at NQF level six (6) with 360 credits as recognised by SAQA.A minimum of two (2) years’ practical experience in Court Interpreting or Grade twelve (12) certificate with at least ten (10) years’ practical experience in Court Interpreting.
Proficiency in English, isiXhosa Afrikaans, isiZulu or Sesotho.
A valid driver’s license will serve as added advantage.
All shortlisted candidates shall undertake a pre-entry practical exercise as part of the assessment method to determine the candidate's suitability based on the post's technical and generic requirements.
Knowledge and skills: Knowledge of relevant acts and regulations, knowledge of culture, knowledge of subject area, knowledge on how to translate and be able to keep to time frame, computer literacy (MS Office), effective communication skills (written and verbal), time management, good interpersonal relations skills, listening skills, customer service skills, problem solving skills, planning and organising skills, decision-making skills.
analytical thinking, excellent English language, flexible, motivational, able to work under pressure, meticulous, self-driven and people centric.
Job Duties
Render interpreting services: Interpret in Children’s Act matters, criminal proceedings, Civil proceedings, Domestic Violence Act matters, Older Persons Act matters, Family, Protection from Harassment Act matters, Labour, Maintenance Act matters, Child Justice matters, Inquests, and quasi- judicial matters, interpret in small claims Courts, interpret in disciplinary hearing, interpret in Conciliation and Arbitration, interpret in confession.Interpret in pre-trial proceedings and consultations, liaise with the supervisor for foreign language interpreters, interpret from source to target language during Court proceedings, pre-trial, consultation, quasi, judicial.
interpret non- verbal gestures, dramatization and confessions, engage with the judiciary to confer on the readiness and/or performance of a particular interpreter in Court, render legal and quasi-judicial and language service: Render audible and clear interpreting from source to target language without embellishment or omissions while preserving the language, convey the correct language in accordance with language usage of the speaker, control the speaker and ensure that the citations are interpreted correctly, interpret non-verbal gestures dramatization and confessions, translate legal documents and exhibits: Study and analyse the source document, conduct the necessary research and consult with the relevant parties, ensure accurate cite translation documents, check, edit and revise the translated document, translate mechanically recorded audio material.
Develop terminology and provide support in the reconstruction of records: Accumulate terminology and 60 develop database, populate the terms and respective meaning in the glossary register, gather all trial documents, attend to mechanical recordings, compare notes of the Presiding Officer, State and Defence.
