MOJ releases tier system and complexity levels in Freedom of Information answer

On 31st March 2021, the Ministry of Justice confirmed numbers in the different tiers of the MoJ Interpreters’ List, which is referred to as the MoJ Register, in a Freedom of Information answer. Noting there are fluctuations in numbers, the MoJ states there are 522 individuals in the ‘Standard’ tier. The minimum requirement to be on this tier is to show the ersatz-interpreter has enrolled on a GCSE pass level foundation course in public service interpreting.

MoJ ‘Standard’ Tier Numbers

On 31st March 2021, the Ministry of Justice confirmed numbers in the different tiers of the MoJ Interpreters’ List, which is referred to as the MoJ Register, in a Freedom of Information answer. Noting there are fluctuations in numbers, the MoJ states there are 522 individuals in the ‘Standard’ tier. The minimum requirement to be on this tier is to show the ersatz-interpreter has enrolled on a GCSE pass level foundation course in public service interpreting.

MoJ Accepts those enrolled on a Level 1 PSI course as interpreting practitioners

With this detail delivered about the tier system and the complexity levels, the Ministry of Justice confirmed that if someone enrolls on a Level 1 (GCSE pass grade – a two-to-four-week course) they will be able to act as an interpreter in a bail hearing, first hearing, case management, legal argument or the setting of a trial date.

MoJ ‘Complex’ Tier Numbers and Qualifications

Ministry of Justice notes there are 566 individuals on the ‘Complex’ tier, which includes those who hold degree level qualifications but which do not have any public service interpreting basis, such as degrees in linguistics or English. The MoJ also confirmed someone without any public service qualifications, but with a degree in philology, can appear as an interpreter in court for a trial where there is need for rare language interpreting. Note that a degree in philology is seen to be preparation for work in education, research and publishing – not to handle complex evidential legal argument in a language other than English for which there is no level 6 Diploma in Public Service Interpreting (DPSI).

MoJ ‘Complex-Written’ Tier qualifications and experience level criteria does not qualify for NRPSI ‘Full’ status

Of the 1,096 individuals listed in the Complex-Written tier of the MoJ List, 98% of interpreters have a level 6 Public Service Interpreting qualification and at least 100 hours of interpretation experience in the relevant language. This would qualify them as an ‘Interim’ on the National Register (NRPSI). The MoJ cannot advise how many of these 1,096 Complex-Written tier interpreters are NRPSI Registrants as this information is not collected.