Sworn interpreting is a specialist service provided by an interpreter with powers granted by the Minister of Justice. A sworn translator and interpreter is a profession of public trust – their task is to faithfully and reliably translate oral statements, often in formal, legal or official situations. Translations of this type require not only excellent knowledge of the language, but also knowledge of legal terminology and procedures applicable in public institutions.
When is sworn interpreting required?
Sworn interpreting is used wherever official, legally binding communication between parties using different languages is necessary. The most common situations are:
notarial activities (e.g. signing contracts, notarial deeds),
court meetings and hearings,
civil marriages involving foreigners,
meetings in offices (e.g. civil registry office, other authorities),
negotiations and signing commercial contracts,
controls, audits and administrative activities.
In such cases, the presence of a sworn interpreter is often required by law and is a guarantee that all parties understand the course and importance of the actions taken.
What is the service exactly?
Sworn interpreting may be consecutive or whispered (so-called chuchotage). In consecutive interpreting, the interpreter translates statements after their completion, while in whispered translation, the translation takes place almost simultaneously, directly into the recipient's ear.
Each sworn interpretation is recorded in the interpreter's repertory, which means that it is official and may constitute evidence in administrative or judicial proceedings.
And what do the logistics look like?
The organisation of sworn interpreting requires appropriate preparation. Key elements:
determining the date and place – the interpreter must be available at a specific time and location (e.g. court, notary office, office),
determining the scope and subject matter – this allows you to choose an interpreter with appropriate industry experience,
preparation of materials – if possible, it is worth sharing documents or information that will be discussed in advance,
the duration of the service – it is usually settled in hourly blocks, taking into account the minimum time of the order.
For events with a larger scale or requiring specialised vocabulary, it is possible to involve more than one interpreter.
Why is it worth using a professional service?
In formal situations, the precision of communication is of key importance. Misunderstanding the provisions of the contract or the course of legal transactions can lead to serious consequences. The presence of a sworn interpreter guarantees not only linguistic correctness, but also compliance of the message with applicable legal standards.
Our office works with experienced sworn interpreters of many European and Asian languages, providing comprehensive services for individual clients as well as for companies and institutions. We care about timeliness, confidentiality and the highest quality of services provided. We look forward to cooperating with you!