SLIANZ

Code of Practice

Conduct

Interpreters shall maintain high professional standards so as not to discredit the profession.

Interpreters shall conduct themselves in a responsible and professional manner employing
courtesy, dignity and discretion at all times, and dressing in a manner appropriate to the
situation.

Interpreters shall strive to maintain a high standard of work and shall be responsible for the
quality of their work.

Interpreters shall respect the ethics and practice of other professions/professionals.

Interpreters shall be punctual.

Interpreters shall endeavor to undertake appropriate preparation for all interpreting
assignments.

If a message is unclear, interpreters may on occasion ask for repetition, rephrasing or an
explanation to enable the message to be interpreted accurately, where this does not unduly
disrupt proceedings.

Honesty, Integrity and Dignity

Interpreters shall do their utmost to maintain consumers' confidence in the integrity of the
profession.

Interpreters shall support their fellow colleagues and treat them in a respectful manner.

Confidentiality

Interpreters shall respect the confidentiality of clients when seeking professional advice and
guidance through employers, mentors or other support networks.

It is recognized that the presence of an interpreter at an assignment that is in the public
arena need not be treated as confidential, (eg. theatre, TV, sporting events).

When an interpreter is working in another capacity (eg. lecturer, trainer, advocate) and
wishes to share actual experiences of an interpreted situation/assignment, they will not
reveal any identifying information without the permission/consent of the consumers.

With the consent of all parties involved, it may be necessary for one interpreter to brief
another interpreter for an assignment that is shared.

Contracting

Interpreters may advertise their services, providing the information is factual, relevant and
neither misleading nor discreditable to the interpreting profession.

Interpreters shall cancel any accepted assignments only with good reason (such as illness,
bereavement or unexpected crisis) and wherever possible a suitable substitute will be
arranged.

If an interpreter cannot attend an assignment both parties must be informed of the
interpreter's unavailability.

Interpreters must not delegate accepted assignments nor accept delegated assignments
without the agreement of the parties concerned.

If interpreters are approached by separate parties to the same legal assignment, an
interpreter shall notify all parties and give the first party an opportunity to claim exclusive
right to the requested interpreting service. 

Interpreters shall observe at all times the obligations arising from their contract with the
agency and shall not on any occasion take unfair advantage of the trust received. 

Interpreters shall only accept interpreting assignments that they are competent to perform. 

Any business or vested interests that the interpreter may have in an assignment must be
disclosed beforehand or as soon as practicable. 

Interpreters shall request and accept remuneration in a professional manner. 

Interpreters shall not solicit nor accept any gratuities or other benefits. 

When interpreting services are rendered and remuneration is not forthcoming,
discretion will be used when attempts are made to secure payment.

Disputes/Complaints

All SLIANZ registered interpreters should be familiar with the complaints procedures set down by SLIANZ, and make this information available to consumers upon request.