Washington State Courts - Court Interpreters

Washington State Supreme Court
Interpreter and Language Access Commission

Our Mission

The mission of the Interpreter and Language Access Commission (ILAC) is to support the courts in providing equal access to justice and access to court services and programs for all individuals regardless of their ability to communicate in the English language through the use of credentialed and qualified interpreters and translators.

What We Do

The ILAC serves as an advisory body to the Washington Courts, including the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC), concerning court interpreting, translation, and language access matters affecting individuals who are Limited-English-proficient or who use a signed language. ILAC sets policy for the Court Interpreter Program, which is responsible for interpreter certification, registration, testing, continuing education, training, and discipline. ILAC is also responsible for strategic planning and working with educational institutions and other interpreter program stakeholder groups to develop resources to support court interpreting in Washington.

Changes in Scope of ILAC

To further its mission and authority to provide Washington courts with best practices guidance regarding other forms of language access services through 2022 amendments to Supreme Court General Rule 11.1, the Washington State Supreme Court changed the Interpreter Commission to the Interpreter and Language Access Commission (ILAC). This change expanded the Commission's role in translations of website, court forms, and in other communications essential for accessing courts. The Commission is developing strategic action objectives to incorporate best practices for language access to text-based documents and will be creating guidance policies for courts related to documents and websites so that non-English proficient individuals can access court information and services.

Who We Are

The Washington State Supreme Court appoints the members of ILAC, including designating the chair of ILAC. The term for a Commission member is three years, and most members are eligible to serve one additional term. To ensure that a wide range of viewpoints are available to ILAC, members come from a variety of backgrounds:

3 judicial officers representatives
2 interpreter representatives
1 American Sign Language
interpreter representative
2 court administrator
representatives
1 certified deaf interpreter representative
1 deaf community representative

1 attorney representative
1 public defender representative
1 community organization representative
2 members of the public
1 representative of an ethnic organization
1 AOC representative
1 translator or translation services representative

Our Committees

There are four standing committees that fall under the purview of the ILAC:

Issues Committee: The Issues Committee covers topics directly related to the Court Interpreter Program and language access matters in general, including participating in collaborative groups to develop statewide practices. It is the first group to review new requests or projects that come to ILAC. The Issues Committee also looks at issues, complaints, and requests from interpreters, court staff, and the public regarding language access practices and policies. The Issues Committee may refer matters to the Disciplinary or Education Committee for additional resolution. As may be necessary, the ILAC or the Issues Committee may communicate with individual courts to assist in complying with language access legal requirements.
Judicial and Court Administrator Education Committee: The Education Committee's primary assignment is to provide educational opportunities, trainings, and resources for judicial officers and court staff working with interpreters.
Disciplinary Committee: The Discipline Committee considers issues involving credentialed interpreters who fail to meet their continuing education credit requirements or their minimum court hours. It also acts on formal complaints made against any court interpreter for violations to the Code of Conduct. When necessary, the Disciplinary Committee can impose sanctions against interpreters who violate the code.
The Translation Committee: The Translation Committee shall provide guidelines to courts on matters involving written documents of a legal nature or which is related to accessing the court through textual means, whether digital or otherwise.

Our Work

The ILAC's work falls into several areas, including carrying out the work assigned by legal statute, resolving challenges to language access as they arise, and looking for way to promote and enhance language across the state. Some issues that ILAC has been working on include

Language Access Plans (Updated 2017)

Appendix B Template

Language Access Plan (Word doc)
Sponsoring regular trainings for judicial officers and court staff.
Providing resources, guidance and best practices for courts.
Updating court rules for remote interpreting (GR 11.3).
Creating a new court rule for team interpreting (GR11.4).
Supporting efforts to increase state funding for reimbursing courts for costs in providing language access.
Reviewing policies for credentialed and non-credentialed interpreters.
Updating judicial bench cards and the Code of Professional Responsibility for Judiciary Interpreters.

Deskbook on Language Access in Washington Courts in pdf

When We Meet

ILAC meets quarterly and the Committees meet several times throughout the year as needed. ILAC meetings are open to the public and the previous meeting information, including meeting minutes, are available on our Previous Meeting Information webpage.

Additional Information

The links below will give you more information about the ILAC and its work. You will also find more information about the Washington State Supreme Court and the other commissions that share our goal of having a justice system that works for everyone equally.

Interpreter and Language Access Commission Links:

Related Links:

Other Supreme Court Commissions:

Court Interpreter Policy Manuals

Special Topics and Resources

Benchcards