Criminal time saving tips

Short video explaining why we set up the quick guide:

 

For full information: see legal aid guidance Translating and interpreting.

General principles

A&A/ABWOR: When you instruct an interpreter or translations under advice and assistance or ABWOR, you need to have an increase approved by us in advance to cover the cost of the proposed work.

Legal aid: When you instruct an interpreter or translation costs under legal aid, most of the time you don’t need our prior approval. You only need approval in advance if the cost is to exceed £2,000, or the translation or interpreting could be viewed as unusual work.

Rates: However, you need to make sure this work is being carried out at our published rates.

Find an interpreter

To assist in securing interpreter and translation services we have developed a Register of providers that will assist you to employ an interpreter and translator at a price that represents value for money and will ensure consistency around pricing for travel, waiting time and other associated charges.

See the Register of translators and interpreter.

Interpreter can’t do the work for our rates?

If the interpreter carrying out the work can’t do the job at our published rates, then you can apply to us for a Letter of Comfort. You need this confirmed in advance before you employ an interpreter who charges a higher rate.

Tips to help you avoid issues at the accounts stage

• make sure you tell your supplier that the case is funded by legal aid
• set out the hourly rate you are expecting to pay, and the limit of any authorised expenditure for the work
• tell the supplier to contact you before work commences if they are unable to comply with the limits given
• if you need us to agree to a higher rate, email us on accounts@slab.org.uk, before you instruct the work, and we will contact you to find a solution
• check and sign the interpreter/translator’s invoice or send notification confirming invoice is accurate.

Any questions?

If you have any questions about the accounts process and the database contact support.accounts@slab.org.uk.

If you have questions about whether prior approval is needed contact criminalspecialists@slab.org.uk.