SCAORA Urges CJI to Provide Translation Software and Dedicated Translators at Supreme Court
SCAORA urges CJI Sanjiv Khanna to set up an official pool of translators at the Supreme Court for accurate and affordable translations.;
The Supreme Court Advocates-On-Record Association (SCAORA) has addressed a letter to Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna highlighting significant issues faced by Advocates-on-Record (AORs) in obtaining accurate and reliable translations for annexures and supporting documents submitted before the Supreme Court.
Background
The letter, sent by Mr. Vipin Nair, President of SCAORA, follows a recent hearing before Justices JK Maheshwari and Aravind Kumar, where the Court criticized the submission of incorrect and mistranslated documents. AORs often rely on external translators, which are costly and prone to errors, increasing the financial burden on litigants and causing procedural delays.
Key Proposals by SCAORA
SCAORA has proposed the re-establishment of an official pool of translators within the Supreme Court premises to address these challenges. The main objectives of this initiative include:
- Certified Translators – Providing AORs access to certified translators to ensure accuracy, reliability, and adherence to legal terminologies.
- Standardized Pricing – Introducing a uniform fee structure to control costs and prevent overcharging.
- Convenience – Establishing an in-house facility to expedite filings and reduce procedural delays.
- Consistency and Quality – Ensuring translations are legally sound and admissible in court.
Use of Translation Software
SCAORA also requested the Supreme Court to grant AORs access to the translation software used by the Court for translating judgments. Access through an AOR Code or password would ensure consistent quality in translations.
Request to High Courts
SCAORA has urged the CJI to direct High Courts to provide vernacular documents, especially in criminal cases (e.g., FIRs, charge sheets), in English before final arguments. Alternatively, the Association suggested that State governments appoint official translators at district courts to provide certified translations at a reasonable cost.
Conclusion
SCAORA believes that re-establishing an official translation facility will enhance the efficiency of legal proceedings and benefit both the Bar and the Bench.
Click Here to Read the Official Letter
