Back to the Children’s Court of Victoria for an old case today. We will be doing a videolink interpreting which means the client will not appear in court. Challenges are – 1. Quality of the videolink; 2. Chuchotage is hard to achieve.
Chuchotage is a form of interpreting where a linguist sits alongside a target audience and simultaneously whisper the interpretation of what’s been said. This type of interpreting is often be used in Australian court settings.
When clients cannot attend the court, one of the ways to deal with it is to ask for a videolink or audiolink with pre-application and proper arrangement.
In civil matters, an application for leave to appear by videolink or audiolink can be made by obtaining the consent of the opposing party and submitting consent orders to the Court. If consent cannot be obtained an application can be made to the Court.
Leave is not required for a person to appear at court by videolink or audiolink from a custodial or Victorian Court location in pre-trial hearings. These hearings include matters in the Koori Court, Criminal General List, Sexual Offences List, and circuit directions hearing.
At any time during the hearing of a case, an application can be made to the presiding judge or judicial registrar for leave for a person to appear by videolink or audiolink.
Reference: countycourt.vic.gov.au