In the name of the Law

The Chamber of Court Appointed Interpreters and Translators of the Czech Republic (Komora soudních tlumocníku Ceské republiky, KST CR) was established on the 16th October 1996. It is a voluntary interpreters and translators association, whose members are “qualified, admitted, appointed and sworn pursuant to Act No. 36 / 1967 Coll”.

The main purpose of the organisation based in Prague is to create favourable conditions for the practice of interpreting and translation professions, “within the boundaries of law and the implementation decree of the Ministry of Justice”. The Chamber wishes to pursue, enforce and defend all its members, protecting their professional, legal and social interests.

This translation association “strives to improve the qualification and know-how of its members by sharing experience and knowledge”. For this to be accomplished, KST CR organises seminars, meetings, briefings and training sessions for interpreters and translators. The Chamber also works actively with the Ministry of Justice on a new law for forensic experts, interpreters and translators, with the purpose of creating real improvement and the certainty of a higher quality of existing legislative regulation.

KST CR wishes to ensure that the class of the court appointed interpreters and translators “not only remains a vital institution for individuals and businesses dealing in legal matters, but also can establish itself as a reliable safeguard within the constantly growing community of international authorities”.

Being a non-political translators association, KST CR is able to work impartially on the preparation and negotiation of drafts of legal regulations that are related to its activities, including the development of a set of ethical principles that rule the profession.

Members of this translation association are highly qualified professionals who are able to , when appointed by a Regional Court, with jurisdiction according to their places of residence, provide official translations or to interpret in situations where it is requested by Czech laws and ordinances. They do not only work for civil services - such as the police, courts, or prosecuting attorney's offices – but also for private persons in situations such as marriages to foreigners or people who want to work abroad.

KST CR says that, if you are looking for a court appointed translator or interpreter, the relevant institution will often put you in touch with one. However, if they do not, you may search for one in the database the Czech association has put together on its website. Alternatively, you may use the server on the website of the Ministry of Justice of the Czech Republic or the ever so useful Yellow Pages. You may also ask the nearest court to your area of residency to send you an extract of the Register of Court-Appointed Translators and Interpreters, yet that won’t come for free.

As far as charging is concerned, in most cases, “Translation and interpreting rates for civil service are governed by the regulation No. 37/1967 Coll.”. In other situations, prices shall be agreed upon between the translator / interpreter and his / her customer.

The translators association adds that translations are charged according to so-called "standard pages", counted according to the Czech standard for typewriting. This means 30 lines with 60 strokes (approximately 1800 characters). The term "standard page" or translation pages are also specified in this way by the Ministry of Justice. Each started page is charged as a full one.

As for interpreting, it is charged according to working days, which means 8 hours, including all breaks and interruptions. Interpreter and customer may agree upon work in the scope of half a working day (4 hours). According to KST CR, a rate for work less than 2 hours may only exceptionally be negotiated. The interpreter is entitled to include time spent outside his / her professional or private address into the rate. Payment of travel expenses (travel, meals, accommodation, etc.) is governed by valid regulations of the Czech Republic.

Keep in mind that Czech is the official language of the Czech Republic. It’s a West Slavic language with approximately 12 million native speakers. It is similar to Slovak.

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