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National Register of Public Service Interpreters


NRPSI is the UK’s independent voluntary regulator of professional interpreters specialising in public service. We maintain a public register of professional, qualified and accountable interpreters. The National Register is free of charge to access and searchable online.

The need for defendants in court to be able to understand the proceedings, using an interpreter if necessary, was identified in the landmark R v Iqbal Begum Court of Appeal ruling which stated:

‘It is beyond the understanding of this court that it did not occur to someone that the reason for her [the defendant's] silence....... was simply because she was not being spoken to in a language which she understood.’

As a result, the 1993 Runciman Royal Commission on Criminal Justice recommended that a national register of qualified interpreters should be established with the aim of ‘using only interpreters with proven competence and skills, who are governed by a nationally recognised code of conduct’. NRPSI was established in 1994.

Every interpreter on our Register has met the standards that we set for education, training and practice in public service. All Registrants are subject to the NRPSI Code of Professional Conduct and we investigate allegations of professional misconduct.

Even today, parts of the public services are unaware of the need to use qualified interpreters. From the Serious Case Review following the death of Daniel Pelka, aged 5, in September 2013:

‘Without proactive or consistent action by any professional to engage with him via an interpreter, then his lack of language and low confidence would likely have made it almost impossible for him to reveal the abuse he was suffering at home.’

Using the National Register to find an interpreter ensures that you not only employ a qualified professional practitioner but that the interpreter can be held accountable should their conduct or competence fall below the high standards expected of a Registered Public Service Interpreter (RPSI).

There are around 1,700 interpreters in 100 languages on the National Register covering the whole of the UK. It is a dynamic database, with Registrants' details constantly being updated and new Registrants added.

NRPSI News

A mass court observation project which sat in on more than 1,100 hearings has reported that an interpreter was not provided in 104 of those cases; . . .

Defendants who needed interpreters were ‘some of the worst served by the court’, the report said . . .
Published:30 May 2024
Topic: General News
Read More »

Are you ready to advance your interpreting career beyond what you've imagined? DPSI Online asks you to click here

With the June 1st enrollment deadline fast approaching, this moment could be the turning point you've been looking for . . .
Published:30 May 2024
Topic: General News
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Job description for the Non-executive Lay Director of NRPSI Limited; click here

Information for applicants available here . . .
Published:1 May 2024
Topic: General News
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Information brief for the role of Non-executive Lay Director of NRPSI Limited; click here

Everything you need to know if you are considering applying for the role of Non-executive Lay Director at NRPSI Limited . . .
Published:1 May 2024
Topic: General News
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Job description for the Non-executive Chair of NRPSI Limited; click here

Information for applicants available here . . .
Published:1 May 2024
Topic: General News
Read More »

Information brief for the role of Non-executive Chair of NRPSI Limited; click here

Everything you need to know if you are considering applying for the role of Chair at NRPSI Limited . . .
Published:1 May 2024
Topic: General News
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Claros Interpreting and Translation Training (UK) offering preparatory courses for DPSI Law, DPSI Health, Dip Trans and Cert Trans . . .

Contact: Brooke Townsley (MA, DProf, FCIL, RPSI), email: b.townsley@mdx.ac.uk Tel: 07968739918 . . .
Published:30 April 2024
Topic: Qualifications and courses
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Click here for the latest activity update from NRPSI

Explore marketing resources and detailed information on all NRPSI's lobbying and advocacy . . .
Published:25 April 2024
Topic: General News
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Victims and witnesses who do not speak English have the right to be provided with a qualified language professional; click here to see latest NRPSI . . .

We welcome the UK Government’s acceptance of amendments to the proposed ‘Victims’ Code’ in relation to interpreting and translation services . . .
Published:25 April 2024
Topic: General News
Read More »
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