CoA, August 21, 2025, order on simultaneous interpretation, UPC_CoA_317/2025

In the absence of any consent by the Court to hear witnesses or experts at an oral hearing in a language other than the language of the proceedings, and absent any interpretation need for the judges, a request for a court-arranged simultaneous interpretation during the oral hearing pursuant to R. 109.2 RoP must be justified by the requesting party.

The fact that the defendant is based in a country where the language of proceedings is not an official language does not make it appropriate to order a court-arranged simultaneous interpretation during the oral hearing pursuant to R. 109.2 RoP. The same applies to the fact that persons employed by a party will have considerable difficulties in following the oral submissions and the communications during the oral hearing. The parties are represented by their representatives who are familiar with the language of proceedings and the presence of company officials at the oral hearing is voluntary.

Instead, the party can engage an interpreter at its own expense pursuant to Rule 109.4 RoP, provided that it informs the Registry at the latest two weeks before the oral hearing.