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Children and Adoption Bill [HL]

The noble Baroness raises an important point. We need to look further at this and we shall be happy to do so, perhaps with a view to coming back with further changes on Report. We would welcome further discussions on this point. The current position is that bilingual translator services are permissible in courts for those for whom English is not a first language. Translation services will normally be arranged by the person’s solicitor, who should also explain the practical impact of the court’s order to their client. Under this arrangement, the cost of translation is currently met by legal aid for those who are eligible for that support. This applies as a matter of general practice and so would extend beyond solely the contact orders covered by the Bill. If for any reason translation services were not available, the courts would be highly likely to adjourn the hearing so that a translator could be present in order to protect the rights of the parties to a fair hearing. However, the noble Baroness asks whether the courts should themselves arrange translation and not simply leave it to a party or a party’s solicitor. That point is well made. We will look at it further and may come back with further changes in the light of that consideration.