ISO 20228:2019

Overview - ISO 20228:2019 (Interpreting services - Legal interpreting - Requirements)

ISO 20228:2019 defines the basic principles, terminology and practice for legal interpreting in both spoken and signed languages. The standard specifies the required competences of legal interpreters, describes typical legal settings, and gives recommendations on appropriate interpreting modes and working conditions. It is intended for all parties involved in facilitating communication in legal contexts - from courts and police to language service providers and interpreter trainers.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope and terms: Clear definitions for interpreting, legal interpreting, interpreter roles, modes (consecutive, simultaneous, chuchotage/whispered, sight translation), and language concepts (source/target language, sign language, spoken language).
• Basic principles: Fundamental requirements for quality, impartiality and access to justice in legal interpreting.
• Competences (Clause 5): Sets out required competences and evidence of qualification, including:
  • Domain competences (legal knowledge)
  • Linguistic competences
  • Interpreting competences
  • Intercultural and interpersonal competences
  • Technical competences
  • Evidence of qualifications, continuing education and authorization
• Settings (Clause 6): Describes various legal environments where interpreting is needed (courts, police interviews, detention, notary, victim support).
• Interpreting modes and working conditions (Clause 7): Guidance on selecting modes (consecutive, simultaneous, relay, distance/remote interpreting) and on practical working conditions for high-quality delivery.
• Normative references: Cross-references to related ISO standards for equipment and transmission quality (ISO 20108, ISO 20109).
• Informative annexes: Annex A (relevant international/national documents), Annex B (examples of settings), Annex C (recommendations for interpreting mode), Annex D (workflow for assignments).

Practical applications - who uses ISO 20228:2019

• Courts, prosecutors and police - to set procurement and operational requirements for legal interpreters to ensure fair hearings.
• Language service providers and interpreter agencies - to define recruitment, training and quality assurance criteria.
• Interpreter trainers and certification bodies - to design curricula and competency assessments aligned with international best practice.
• Policy makers and court administrators - to draft rules, authorization procedures and access-to-justice policies.
• Technology vendors (remote interpreting platforms) - to align service features with recommended working conditions and modes.

Related standards and resources

• ISO 20108 - Simultaneous interpreting: quality and transmission of sound and image input
• ISO 20109 - Simultaneous interpreting: equipment requirements
  (See Annex A of ISO 20228:2019 for a non‑exhaustive list of international and national documents.)

Keywords: ISO 20228:2019, legal interpreting, interpreting services, interpreter competences, interpreting modes, remote interpreting, consecutive interpreting, simultaneous interpreting, sign language interpreting.