About

Court Interpreters Program Information

The Court Interpreters Program strives to ensure access to the courts for persons with limited English proficiency or those who are deaf or hard-of-hearing, by developing programs and practices that enhance the quality of interpretation and increase the availability of qualified interpreters in the courts.

The program staffs the Judicial Council’s Court Interpreters Advisory Panel, which is mandated by statute to assist the Judicial Council with the advancement of language access to the courts. The panel makes recommendations to the council on policies and procedures including but not limited to interpreter use and need, certification, registration, and professional conduct.

The Judicial Council is required to report to the California State Legislature on the use of interpreter services in the courts and to report annual statewide court interpreter expenditures. These reports are available on the Reports webpage. 

Court Interpreters Program Fact Sheet

Judicial Council and the Court Interpreters Program FAQ Page

Court Interpreters Advisory Panel (CIAP)

What is the role of the CIAP?

The CIAP was created in 1993 and is responsible for assisting the Judicial Council in enhancing interpreter services provided to the courts and to non-English-speaking parties. The CIAP has assisted in the development of important policies in the areas of recruitment, training, testing, certification, renewals, and continuing education.

Representing a diversity of languages, courts, geographic regions, and interests, the panel is instrumental in ensuring access to language services in the California courts and to justice partners who avail themselves of interpreter services. To learn more about the  Court Interpreters Advisory Panel visit the panel's webpage.