Guidance

Language Services

Information on the Ministry of Justice's (MoJ) language services, including those used in courts and tribunals, covering interpreter qualifications, service providers, complaints routes and accessibility support.

• From: Ministry of Justice and HM Courts & Tribunals Service
• Published: 5 October 2026

Applies to England and Wales

Documents

Complaints and feedback: how to raise a complaint relating to MoJ interpreting services.

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Interpreter Qualifications Framework: The qualification and experience standards required for MoJ interpreting assignments.

PDF, 161 KB, 7 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email hmctsforms@justice.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

MoJ Code of Conduct and Ethics for Interpreters: The ethical standards and professional behaviours required of all MoJ interpreters.

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Details

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) contracts suppliers to provide language services across the justice system. These services are a vital part of ensuring access to justice and include spoken language interpreting, British Sign Language (BSL) and specialist communication support.

They are used across courts, tribunals, prisons and other justice settings throughout England and Wales, and in certain tribunals in Scotland. They help ensure that everyone engaging with the justice system can understand what is happening and participate effectively, regardless of their language, communication, or hearing needs.

MoJ’s new language service contracts came into effect on 5 October 2026 and are being delivered by the following suppliers:

• thebigword: Primary provider of spoken language interpreting services including face-to-face, telephone and video interpreting.
• Translate UK Ltd: Additional secondary provider of spoken language interpreting services.
• Clarion UK: Provider of visual and tactile communication services including British Sign Language (BSL) Interpreters, lipspeakers and speech-to-text reporting.
• The Language Shop: Provider of independent quality and assurance services including the assessment of interpreters and certain supplier processes.

These contracts are used by executive agencies of the MoJ and its commissioning bodies. These include:

HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS)	HMPPS (Prisons and Probation)	Legal Aid Agency
Crown Prosecution Service	MoJ HQ	Office of the Public Guardian
Law Commission	The Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service	Official Solicitor and Public Trustee
HM Inspectorate of Probation	HM Inspectorate of Prisons	The Parole Board
Youth Justice Board	Judicial Office

Get an interpreter at a court or tribunal

You might be able to get an interpreter for free if you’re going to a court or tribunal. Find out more about requesting an interpreter for a court or tribunal, including for Welsh language.

For official statistics on language interpreter and translation services in courts and tribunals, please check out the Criminal Court statistics quarterly (CCSQ) publications page.

Welsh language services (HMCTS)

You have the legal right to speak Welsh in a court or tribunal.

Welsh language services are managed separately from the language services contracts listed on this page and remain the responsibility of the HMCTS Welsh Language Unit.

All work in relation to Welsh language translation and/or interpretation must be conducted by members of Cymdeithas Cyfieithwyr Cymru (The Association of Welsh Translators and Interpreters).

Other MoJ commissioning bodies have their own arrangements for Welsh language services.

Reasonable adjustments

HMCTS also provides reasonable adjustments for all court and tribunal users.

Our support for court and tribunal users with disabilities page provides more information on how to arrange a reasonable adjustment.