Services for hearing and visually impaired clients
Clients who are deaf or hearing impaired should telephone the National Relay Service on 133 677. Clients who are deaf/hearing impaired and speech impaired should telephone 1300 555 727
Other services available
The basic principles of access and equity are that no Court client should be disadvantaged in proceedings before the Court or in understanding the procedures and conduct of Court business, because of a language barrier. The two-way process of communication and understanding between the client and the Court may require that the Court engage an interpreter, or a translator.
The Family Court of Australia has guidelines in place to ensure uniform access to interpreter and translator services.
Each registry has at least one courtroom with a hearing loop installed. Arrangements can be made to assist clients who are deaf or hearing impaired to utilise this facility where practicable.
Interpreter services for deaf, hearing impaired and/or speech impaired clients are available. Arrangements can be made for AUSLAN interpreters or CART (Communication Access Real-time Translation) service providers to accompany clients who are deaf, hearing impaired and/or speech impaired at court events.
The National Relay Service (NRS) is a free telephone service that allows deaf, or hearing and/or speech impaired clients with a TTY machine, to make telephone calls to a registry. Telephone: 133 677 (clients who are deaf or hearing impaired) or 1300 555 727 (clients who are both deaf/hearing impaired and speech impaired) www.relayservice.com.au
Code of Ethics
Interpreters and translators engaged by the Family Law Courts are bound at all times to act in accordance with the standards set out in the Australian Institute of Interpreters and Translators (AUSIT) Code of Ethics. AUSIT is the national professional association of interpreting and translation practitioners. General principles of the Code of Ethics include: Professional Conduct; Confidentiality; Competence; Impartiality; Accuracy; Employment; Professional Development and Professional Solidarity. Further information can be obtained from the website: www.ausit.org
Feedback and Complaints
To ensure that court clients are assisted by high calibre interpreters, clients are encouraged to provide feedback to the courts on the standard of interpreting and translating services provided.
Where a complaint is made concerning the calibre or use of interpreter services, the complaints officer in accordance with standard complaints handling procedures, should handle the complaint. Clients who are deaf or hearing impaired should telephone the National Relay Service on 133 677. Clients who are deaf/hearing impaired and speech impaired should telephone 1300 555 727.