A shortage of court interpreters is causing significant disruption to Brisbane's legal system, with cases involving non-English speakers being delayed or adjourned when qualified language professionals cannot be found, according to reporting by Niddal Mustafa.
The problem sits at the intersection of two pressing issues: an already strained court system grappling with backlogs and delays, and a growing multicultural population with diverse language needs. When interpreters are unavailable, hearings cannot proceed fairly — leaving defendants, witnesses, and plaintiffs unable to fully participate in proceedings that may determine their liberty, custody of children, or financial futures.
A Systemic Access-to-Justice Issue
Access to a competent interpreter is widely regarded as a fundamental component of a fair trial. Without one, non-English speakers may fail to understand charges laid against them, cannot adequately instruct their legal representatives, and may be unable to follow court proceedings in real time.
Advocates working with culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities say the shortage is not new, but has worsened as court delays — exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic's disruption to the justice system — have created a larger volume of cases requiring interpreter services.
The problem is compounded by the breadth of languages required. Brisbane's diverse migrant and refugee communities speak dozens of languages and dialects, and qualified legal interpreters — as distinct from general translators — are scarce in many of these tongues. Legal interpretation requires specialist training, as errors or imprecise translations can have serious consequences for a case's outcome.
Adjournments Compound Delays
When an interpreter cannot be sourced, courts typically adjourn the matter to a future date. While procedurally necessary, these adjournments add to already lengthy waiting lists, creating a compounding effect. For defendants held on remand, this can mean extended periods in custody awaiting a hearing. For victims, it can mean prolonged exposure to unresolved legal matters.
Legal aid organisations and community advocates have called on the Queensland government to invest in interpreter training pathways and improve coordination between courts and interpreter services to reduce last-minute cancellations and no-shows.
The Queensland Courts administration has not yet publicly responded to the specific concerns raised in recent reporting. The state government has previously acknowledged court backlogs as a priority issue, though dedicated funding for interpreter services has not been prominently featured in recent justice reform announcements.
The issue mirrors similar challenges in other Australian states, where court interpreter shortages have prompted reviews of accreditation systems and interpreter pay rates — factors that affect the pipeline of qualified professionals entering the field.