Legal and Court Interpreting

Interpreters must continually improve their skills and knowledge. Our 10-week, 40-hour course covers the judicial domain. 

  • This course is open to those looking for training and enhanced skill development in the field.
    Our core course Foundations in Dialogue Interpreting is the prerequisite.
  • Previous students at Sainte-Anne, those aged 60 and older, and members of our partners receive a 10 per cent discount:
    • Association of Translators and Interpreters of Nova Scotia
    • Access Language Services
    • Alliance Française Halifax
    • Spïk Languages
    • Réseau Santé Nouvelle-Écosse
    • Nova Scotia Health Authority
    • Consortium national de la formation en santé
    • Association des juristes d’expression française de la Nouvelle-Écosse
    • Réseau National de Formation en Justice
    • Canadian Association of Schools of Translation
  • Learn online via Microsoft Teams.
  • Earn a professional accreditation in your field from one of Canada’s most prestigious French Language Universities.

The Foundations in Dialogue Interpreting course was offered twice in 2021 with instructor Jeff Staflund, Chief Interpreter with the Government of New Brunswick from 2013-18 and a federally certified conference interpreter (English booth) since 2010. Staflund developed a program from A-Z with input from ATINS members for the base course in Interpretation. In 2022, he created the Medical Interpretation course, and in 2023, he developed a third completely new course for Sainte-Anne, Legal and Court Interpreting.

Staflund, who describes himself as a lifelong student, is based in Winnipeg and has been working in the language profession for more than 25 years. A teacher, translator and interpreter, he holds a doctorate in education with a specialization in training interpreters.

Jeff Staflund - Teacher/Developer of course content

Jeff Staflund

This course focuses on interpreting in legal settings both in and out of court. Learners develop their understanding of the particular requirements of work in this context, drawing on ISO 20228 (Interpreting services – Legal interpreting – Requirements) and various other sources. Each class targets an area of law where interpreting services are frequently required, from driving under the influence to small claims. As in the previous two modules, a range of teaching activities are used. Practical exercises aimed at building skills in each mode are the main focus during class, with readings, assignments and vocabulary-building exercises to complement the learning experience.

Outline

This practical 10-week program covers the essentials for those working in legal and court interpreting. The course is offered online using the Microsoft Teams platform. Forty hours are devoted to classroom work. Lectures are supplemented by discussions, assignments, a component on industry ethics as well as role play and simulations based on realistic situations.

Next Session, Registration and Deadlines

Next course: Sept. 23 to Dec. 4 (7:00 to 9:00 pm Atlantic)
Registration: May 15 to Sept. 18, 2025

Register Now!

Assessments can be arranged throughout the year.

Contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Cost

The cost of registration is $545.

Previous students at Sainte-Anne, those aged 60 and older, and members of our partners receive a 10 per cent discount and would pay $490 rather than $545:

  • Association of Translators and Interpreters of Nova Scotia
  • Access Language Services
  • Alliance Française Halifax
  • Spïk Languages
  • Réseau Santé Nouvelle-Écosse
  • Nova Scotia Health Authority
  • Consortium national de la formation en santé
  • Association des juristes d’expression française de la Nouvelle-Écosse
  • Réseau National de Formation en Justice
  • Canadian Association of Schools of Translation

 

No textbook is required for this course.

Eligibility and Pre-Course Requirements

Our Foundations in Dialogue Interpreting course is the prerequisite for this course, as well as for Medical Interpreting. The program is open to interpreters and those seeking skill development and additional training in the field.

* For experienced interpreters, see how you could validate the Foundations course without taking it at the bottom of this page, thanks to our Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) test for interpreters.

Completion Requirements

To successfully complete the course and receive a micro-certification and digital badge, a minimum average of 70 per cent is required. The final grade will be based on assignments, lectures, role plays and simulations as well as regular attendance. After two absences, one point will be deducted for each class missed, therefore, attendance is crucial.

Make-Up Dates

If a class must be cancelled, a make-up session will be held. Students will be consulted and informed in advance to determine an alternate date.

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition

Thanks to our Prior Learning and Assessment Recognition test specially developed for interpreters by interpreters, an experienced candidate could validate the Foundations of Dialogue Interpreting course without taking it. For those who pass the test with the necessary result, they would receive a micro-credential for the base course, and then could take one of our speciality courses in Medical or Legal and Court interpretation. 

Learn more !