Spending on Interpreters and Translators at Courts Skyrockets
Over the past five years, administrative courts, including the Administrative Court in Mannheim and initial reception facilities, have shelled out millions of euros on interpreters and translators. According to an inquiry by the AfD, the Ministry of Justice, the total cost for these services reaches around 8.2 million euros from January 1, 2019, to October 15, 2023, for the five courts alone.
In terms of initial reception facilities, the costs for interpreters reach into the hundreds of thousands. Local councils cover these expenses. In Stuttgart's administrative district, for instance, in-house staff or volunteers with language skills perform translation work in initial reception facilities. The Social Welfare Office in Stuttgart budgets 183,000 euros annually for interpreting assignments. Local authorities in Stuttgart primarily rely on their own staff's language skills or volunteer interpreters.
When it comes to finding suitable interpreters, judges can utilize the nationwide interpreter and translator database managed by Hesse's Ministry of Justice. This platform operates under the administration of the state justice administrations.
In their response to the AfD inquiry, the Ministry of Justice pointed out that language mediators were not tracked according to the languages interpreted.
Interpreters work with spoken language, whereas translators deal with written text. Lack of specific language tracking by the Ministry of Justice raises concerns regarding the transparency of justice processes connected to language services. Justice processes must be equally accessible to all individuals, regardless of language, being a fundamental principle of the legal system.
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Enrichment Data
Although search results do not provide annual expenditure figures for interpreter services in administrative courts and initial reception facilities in Germany, they offer insights into measures promoting language accessibility in the justice system:
- Digitalization and Video Hearings: Germany's court system is advancing in digitalization, incorporating video conferencing technology in civil and specialist courts. This will make hearings more accessible, reducing the need for in-person appearances and potentially facilitating real-time interpretation services[2].
- Electronic File Management: By 2026, German courts will transition to electronic file management, including mandatory e-filing. This digitalization aims to improve access to justice, which may streamline the provision of translation services[2].
- English in Commercial Courts: The German government is promoting the use of English in commercial courts to make Germany an attractive center for international justice. Proceedings can be held in English, which can improve language accessibility for non-German speakers[2].
- Accessibility Requirements: The German Accessibility Strengthening Act emphasizes the need for products and services to be accessible to individuals with disabilities. Though primarily focused on physical accessibility, this act sets a principle for ensuring equal access to information and services for all, including language interpretation[5].
- Technology Usage: Some German courts are employing AI tools for tasks such as the anonymization of judgments, document analysis, and judgment preparation assistance. These technologies may be adapted to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of language interpretation services[2].
Although specific expenditure figures are not provided, these measures indicate a dedication to enhancing language accessibility in the German justice system through digitalization and other technological advancements.
