SCAORA requests CJI for pool of translators, access to judgment translation software

The Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association (SCAORA) has written to Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna requesting him to form an official pool of translators within the Supreme Court premises to ensure accurate, standardized and affordable translation of documents required for court proceedings..The request was made by SCAORA President Vipin Nair in response to the growing difficulties faced by Advocates-on-Record (AoRs) in obtaining reliable translations of vernacular documents into English, a requirement for submissions before the Supreme Court. According to the bar body, the absence of an official translation mechanism forces advocates to rely on external sources, leading to higher costs, delays and frequent errors in legal documents.The association has also urged the Supreme Court to grant AoRs access to the same translation software used by the Court for translating judgments from vernacular languages.This could be implemented through a password-protected system linked to the AoR Code, similar to the e-filing portal, thereby reducing litigation costs, the communication by SCAORA said..The issue of wrong translations was recently flagged by a Bench of Justices JK Maheshwari and Aravind Kumar after it came across discrepancies in translation of certain documents in a case.It had then asked SCAORA to ascertain how AoRs should address the situation since they are expected to certify such documents.SCAORA was also to inform the Court about forming a pool of translators along with an institutional change to have all vernacular documents translated before the final hearing commences in any given case.Pursuant to that, SCAORA has now sought the CJI's intervention, outlining several key objectives behind its request:- Certified translations: Providing access to a pool of recognized translators to ensure accuracy and adherence to legal terminology.- Standardized pricing: Fixing translation costs to prevent overcharging and financial burdens on litigants.- Convenience: Facilitating quick and efficient translations within the Supreme Court premises to expedite filings.- Quality Control: Ensuring translations meet a uniform standard to improve the efficiency and credibility of court submissions..Additionally, SCAORA has proposed that all High Courts be directed to ensure that key legal documents—such as FIRs, charge sheets, and trial court orders—are translated into English before final arguments take place at the High Court level. Alternatively, it has suggested that official translators be made available at the district court level to handle translations at the earliest stage of litigation, with the cost borne by litigants similarly to certified copies..As per SCAORA, implementing these measures would significantly reduce translation-related delays in the Supreme Court and enhance access to justice for litigants across India.