Senior Court Interpreter REF NO: 2026/141/OCJ

In brief

Overview This document outlines the role of a Senior Court Interpreter (REF NO: 2026/141/OCJ) within the Office of the Chief Justice. The position involves providing comprehensive interpreting and translation services for various legal and quasi-judicial proceedings, ensuring accurate and clear communication within the South African justice system. What you will do * Render interpreting services in Children’s Act matters, criminal proceedings, civil proceedings, Domestic Violence Act matters, Older Persons Act matters, Family matters, Protection from Harassment Act matters, Labour matters, Maintenance Act matters, Child Justice matters, Inquests, and quasi-judicial matters. * Interpret in small claims Courts, disciplinary hearings, Conciliation and Arbitration, and confessions. * Interpret in pre-trial proceedings and consultations. * Liaise with the supervisor for foreign language interpreters. * Interpret from source to target language during Court proceedings, pre-trial, consultation, and quasi-judicial matters. * Interpret non-verbal gestures, dramatization, and confessions. * Engage with the judiciary to confer on the readiness and/or performance of a particular interpreter in Court. * Render legal, quasi-judicial, and language services by providing audible and clear interpreting from source to target language without embellishment or omissions, preserving the original language, conveying the correct language according to usage, controlling the speaker, and ensuring citations are interpreted correctly. * Translate legal documents and exhibits, which includes studying and analysing source documents, conducting necessary research and consultations, ensuring accurate translation, checking, editing, and revising translated documents, and translating mechanically recorded audio material. * Develop terminology and provide support in the reconstruction of records by accumulating terminology, developing databases, populating terms and meanings in a glossary register, gathering trial documents, attending to mechanical recordings, and comparing notes from the Presiding Officer, State, and Defence. Requirements (from the original advert) * **Qualifications and Experience**: * Applicants should be in possession of a National Diploma in Legal Interpreting or equivalent qualification at NQF level six (6) with 360 credits as recognised by SAQA. A minimum of two (2) years’ practical experience in Court Interpreting; OR * Grade twelve (12) certificate with at least ten (10) years’ practical experience in Court Interpreting. * **Language Proficiency**: Proficiency in English, isiXhosa, Afrikaans, isiZulu or Sesotho. * **Licence**: A valid driver’s license will serve as an added advantage. * **Assessment**: All shortlisted candidates shall undertake a pre-entry practical exercise as part of the assessment method to determine the candidate's suitability based on the post's technical and generic requirements. * **Knowledge and Skills**: * Knowledge of relevant acts and regulations. * Knowledge of culture. * Knowledge of subject area. * Knowledge on how to translate and be able to keep to time frame. * Computer literacy (MS Office). * Effective communication skills (written and verbal). * Time management. * Good interpersonal relations skills. * Listening skills. * Customer service skills. * Problem solving skills. * Planning and organising skills. * Decision-making skills. * Analytical thinking. * Excellent English language. * Flexible. * Motivational. * Able to work under pressure. * Meticulous. * Self-driven. * People centric. Who should apply Candidates possessing a National Diploma in Legal Interpreting (or an equivalent NQF level 6 qualification with 360 credits) and at least two years of practical experience in Court Interpreting, or those with a Grade 12 certificate and a minimum of ten years of practical experience in Court Interpreting. Applicants must be proficient in English and at least one of isiXhosa, Afrikaans, isiZulu, or Sesotho. The ideal candidate will also demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of relevant acts and regulations, cultural nuances, translation methods, computer literacy, and strong communication, interpersonal, time management, problem-solving, planning, decision-making, and analytical skills. They should be flexible, motivational, able to work under pressure, meticulous, self-driven, and people-centric. A valid driver's license is an advantageous credential. Deadline Not specified Reference Original posting: https://www.myjobmag.co.za/job/senior-court-interpreter-ref-no-2026-141-ocj-office-of-the-chief-justice-south-africa Source: myjobmag

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At a glance

• At least 2 years of experience.

• Microsoft Office
• Customer service
• isiZulu
• Afrikaans

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