Principal Court Interpreter REF NO: 2026/139/OCJ

In brief

**Overview** This is an editorial rewrite for the position of Principal Court Interpreter (REF NO: 2026/139/OCJ) at the Office of the Chief Justice in South Africa. The role involves providing high-level interpreting services in various legal settings and significant supervisory responsibilities for other court interpreters. **What you will do** * Render interpreting services in high profile matters, complex cases, criminal, civil, and Labour Court, small claims court, disciplinary hearings, Conciliation and Arbitration, confessions, pre-trial proceedings, and consultations. * Control, supervise, and attend to personnel administrative aspects of interpreters, including providing mentoring and coaching to junior/senior interpreters, managing performance agreement contracts, drawing schedules for replacement of Court Interpreters, controlling leave of Court interpreters, and submitting Court hour registers and quarterly probation reports. * Monitor subordinates on EHWP. * Translate legal documents and exhibits, study and analyse source documents, conduct necessary research and consult, develop terminology, harvest terminology, and provide terms and their respective meanings in the glossary register. * Supervise and develop staff, ensure general supervision of employees, allocate duties and perform quality control on the work delivered by officials, manage leave of staff, advise and lead supervisees with regards to all aspects of the work, and manage performance, conduct, and discipline of employees. * Ensure that all employees are trained and developed to be able to deliver work of the required standard efficiently and effectively. * Develop, implement, and monitor work systems and processes to ensure efficient and effective functioning. * Address enquiries and provide advice and guidance on asset allocation and control. **Requirements (from the original advert)** * 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’ experience as a Court Interpreter of which one (1) year should be at supervisory level. * Language proficiency: English and either Tshivenda, Xitsonga, Sepedi. * Knowledge of Isi-Zulu/Setswana and a valid driver’s license will serve as an added advantage. * Knowledge and skills: Knowledge of Batho Pele and the OCJ Principles, Court proceedings, Cultural diversity, Knowledge of Policies, Prescripts, and Legislation and Full command of the languages. * Skilled in communication (oral and written), listening, computer literacy (Ms Word, PowerPoint, Outlook and Internet, etc.), problem solving, interpersonal relations, planning and organising, people skills, intermediate typing and customer service orientation. **Who should apply** This role is suitable for a professional interpreter with a National Diploma in Legal Interpreting or an equivalent NQF Level 6 qualification with 360 SAQA-recognized credits. The ideal candidate will have at least two years of experience as a Court Interpreter, with a minimum of one year in a supervisory capacity. Essential language proficiency includes English and at least one of Tshivenda, Xitsonga, or Sepedi, with additional knowledge of Isi-Zulu/Setswana and a valid driver’s license being beneficial. Applicants should possess comprehensive knowledge of court proceedings, cultural diversity, relevant policies, prescripts, legislation, Batho Pele principles, and OCJ principles. Strong communication (oral and written), listening, problem-solving, interpersonal relations, planning, organising, people, and customer service skills are required, along with intermediate typing and computer literacy (Ms Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Internet). The role demands someone capable of high-level interpreting and effective team supervision, mentoring, and development. **Deadline** Not specified **Reference** Original posting: https://www.myjobmag.co.za/job/principal-court-interpreter-ref-no-2026-139-ocj-office-of-the-chief-justice-south-africa Source: myjobmag

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At a glance

• At least 2 years of experience.

• Customer service
• isiZulu

Extracted automatically from the advert; confirm requirements on the original listing.

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