Ukrainian Interpreter for Family Court: Solicitors, Counsel and Clients

Where the interpreting is needed

A private instruction may cover work either side of a hearing: the conference, the statement, the careful conversation before anyone goes into court.

First hearing (FHDRA)

The first hearing in private children proceedings moves quickly through safeguarding, directions and possible interim arrangements. Larysa interprets consecutively so the client hears the whole exchange and can take instructions from counsel between points.

Conference with counsel

Before a hearing, counsel needs to test the client's account and explain what will be asked. Leave time for the client to ask for clarification through the interpreter. A nod or a short answer should not be treated as evidence that every legal term was understood.

Statement taking and solicitor consultations

A witness statement is drafted from the client's own words, and the interpreter's rendering becomes the record. Larysa interprets in the first person and does not summarise, soften or tidy the account.

Child arrangements and non-molestation proceedings

Applications for a child arrangements order, prohibited steps or a non-molestation order, including without notice hearings, all turn on precise evidence about dates, households and behaviour. Expect the same care with names, addresses and family relationships.

Special measures and remote attendance

Where special measures are ordered, or the client attends by video, the interpreter needs to know the platform and the room layout beforehand. Larysa does not give legal advice, does not explain the law to the client and does not act as an advocate.

Final hearings and contested matters take longer, and the enquiry should describe the expected duration rather than assume the listed slot covers every discussion. Send the bundle in advance so the names, dates and household details are already familiar when the evidence begins.

Who arranges and pays for the interpreter?

In family cases, a party is given an interpreter where the case involves children, domestic violence or forced marriage; for other family cases, only where the party cannot afford an interpreter, does not qualify for legal aid and has no friend or relative the judge will accept. A friend or family member may interpret only with the judge's permission, asked for before the hearing. The rules are set out on GOV.UK.

The practical point is that a court-provided interpreter normally covers the hearing only, and may join legal discussions before or after it only if the judge allows. Conferences with counsel, statement taking and preparation outside the hearing are booked and paid for by the solicitor, the organisation or the client. Those are the appointments to arrange early, because they shape what happens in court.

Ukrainian, not Russian

Ask the client which language they need for the consultation and record that choice in the brief. Nationality does not establish language preference, and familiarity with everyday English does not establish that the client can follow a legal discussion. The question should be put directly to the person who will use the interpreting.

Larysa interprets between Ukrainian and English. If the client requests a different language, tell the firm so it can make an appropriate arrangement. If the papers contain names, terms or quotations in another language, identify these before the appointment and ask how they should be handled. Do not wait until evidence is being discussed to resolve the language required.

What to send first

A short email with the essentials is enough to start. The more of it that arrives with the brief, the better the preparation.

1. The date and time of the hearing or appointment, so availability can be checked against the diary.
2. The venue, or the platform and joining details for a remote session, because travel and room layout affect how the interpreting is set up.
3. The expected length, including any waiting time, so the day is planned honestly.
4. The case type and the stage reached, so Larysa knows whether this is a first hearing, a conference or a final hearing.
5. The documents to read in advance, such as statements, reports and the hearing bundle, sent as PDFs where possible.
6. Whether the instruction is legal aid or private, which affects how the booking is recorded.

How to book

Booking is deliberately plain, so nothing is left to assumption.

1. Send the brief to the contact address on the website, with the details above.
2. Availability is confirmed for your date, with a written quote for the assignment.
3. Written confirmation follows, and the booking is held for that date.

Registration can be checked on the NRPSI public register. Send the brief. Check availability.

Before confirming, distinguish the hearing itself from preparation and discussions afterwards. Tell the solicitor what you expect the interpreter to cover and check that the written confirmation describes that scope. If the appointment changes, send the revised details and ask for the booking to be checked again. A quotation is not a promise of a particular outcome in the proceedings.