Translator’s Code of Conduct

Translators must:

• Act with integrity and maintain high standards at all times.

• Be of good character, which may preclude those with certain criminal records.

• Observe confidentiality in relation to every individual assignment (this duty extends beyond the completion of the individual assignment), unless otherwise required by law.

• Not seek to take advantage of any information disclosed during an assignment.

• Comply with current Data Protection legislation.

• Not use any information obtained in the course of an assignment for any purpose other than as authorised.

• Keep safe any document provided and ensure that it is not copied and is returned at the end of the assignment.

• Act impartially and not discriminate between parties (to their advantage or disadvantage).

• Not give advice, legal or otherwise, to the person for whom they are interpreting or within a document.

• Disclose any conflicts of interest or potential conflicts of interest in relation to each individual assignment.

• Disclose any previous involvement with a case.

• Disclose any relationship with any parties involved in the assignment or their family.

• Disclose any information, including any criminal record, which may make them unsuitable for any particular assignment.

• Undertake assignments only for which they are competent (both linguistically and in terms of specialist knowledge or skills).

• Disclose professional limitations in relation to each individual assignment.

• Always translate to the best of their ability.

• Decline any reward other than agreed fees and expenses.

• Seek to increase their knowledge and skills