Aequilibrium. Instruments for lifting language barriers in intercultural legal proceedings

This book contains viewpoints and practical ideas for members of the judiciary working with interpreters and translators. It builds on the European Commission's Proposal for a Framework Decision on certain procedural rights applying in proceedings in criminal matters throughout the European Union, published in 2004. The authors of the articles in this book presented their opinion on several articles of the Proposal and put them in the perspective of their own practice and country.
This publication is an outcome of a EU-wide conference held in The Hague, at which members of the judiciary, police, ministries, universities and professional interpreters and translators shared ideas, best practices and criticism on the topic of legal interpreting and translating. Together they formed a network that created awareness of each other's position in legal proceedings, paving the way for equal treatment of suspects, irrespective of language barriers.
Topics discussed include ethics, practical and technical limitations, political standpoints and dreams for the future. The articles in this book reflect the discussions and range from in-depth analysis of the pros and cons of the Proposal to case law illustrating what working with interpreters and translators entails.
Special attention is given to working with sign language interpreters.