Legal proceedings leave little room for error, and that includes communication. Whether you’re a law firm preparing for a deposition, a business responding to a claim, or an HR team supporting an employee through a hearing, understanding how legal interpreting works can prevent costly delays and mistakes.
Why Legal Settings Require Certified Interpreters
Courts and legal proceedings generally require interpreters with specific legal certification — not just general fluency. Using an uncertified interpreter in a deposition or hearing can create grounds to challenge testimony later, which is a risk no legal team wants to introduce. Our earlier post on certified vs. non-certified interpreters breaks down why this distinction carries real legal weight, and the National Center for State Courts maintains standards many jurisdictions rely on.
Booking Timeline: Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute
Certified legal interpreters — for both ASL and Spanish — are in high demand and often booked out days or weeks in advance, especially in busy legal markets like Los Angeles, New York, and Washington D.C. As soon as a deposition or hearing date is set, that’s the time to request an interpreter, not the week before.
What to Provide the Interpreter in Advance
To prepare accurately, interpreters typically benefit from receiving:
- Case type and general subject matter
- Any specialized terminology (medical, technical, financial)
- Names of parties involved, to avoid confusion during interpretation
- The format — in-person, video deposition, or remote hearing
On-Site vs. Remote for Legal Proceedings
While video remote interpreting works well for many everyday situations, legal proceedings often call for on-site interpreters given the stakes involved — nuance, credibility, and the ability to read the room matter more here than almost anywhere else. Some jurisdictions and case types do permit remote interpreting for depositions, so it’s worth confirming with the presiding court or opposing counsel ahead of time.
Working with the Interpreter During Proceedings
A few norms are standard in legal settings:
- The interpreter interprets everything said, verbatim in meaning — including asides not intended as part of the official record, unless instructed otherwise by counsel.
- Speakers should pause between statements to allow accurate interpretation, especially during rapid exchanges.
- The interpreter remains neutral and does not offer opinions, clarifications, or advice to any party.
Plan Ahead to Avoid Delays
A canceled or rescheduled deposition due to interpreter unavailability is costly for everyone involved. Building interpreter coordination into your case timeline from the start — rather than treating it as a last-minute logistics item — keeps things moving.
Need a certified legal interpreter for an upcoming case in Los Angeles, San Diego, Sacramento, or elsewhere? Contact our team as early as possible so we can confirm the right interpreter for your proceeding.