# Responsiblity for translation of tribunal reports into foreign languages **URL:** \ **Category:** Mental Health Tribunal\ **Tags:** foreign\ **Created:** [17 May 2023 21:57 UTC](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/t/responsiblity-for-translation-of-tribunal-reports-into-foreign-languages/1603 "2023-05-17T21:57:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Jonathan](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/user_avatar/forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/jonathan/32/88_2.png) [@Jonathan](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/u/Jonathan)\ **Post date:** [17 May 2023 21:57 UTC](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/t/responsiblity-for-translation-of-tribunal-reports-into-foreign-languages/1603/1 "2023-05-17T21:57:27Z")
If a patient is unable to read English, who is responsible for obtaining a translation of the RC’s report into a language that the patient understands? Is it the Trust or the tribunal service? I was asked this question recently and do not know the answer. I have to admit that in the past I’ve just read through reports via interpreters rather than obtaining translations. ---
**Author:** ![Doctorcuratola](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/d/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Doctorcuratola](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/u/Doctorcuratola)\ **Post date:** [17 May 2023 23:04 UTC](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/t/responsiblity-for-translation-of-tribunal-reports-into-foreign-languages/1603/2 "2023-05-17T23:04:52Z")
In my opinion is the Trust. The RC prepares a report who is going to be shared with the patient via solicitors (usually). The RC has the duty to make available a report that everybody understands; therefore, if the patient needs a translation in order to understand it, it should be the RC responsibility to put proper measures for this report to be translated. ---
**Author:** ![BenC](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BenC](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/u/BenC)\ **Post date:** [18 May 2023 08:46 UTC](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/t/responsiblity-for-translation-of-tribunal-reports-into-foreign-languages/1603/3 "2023-05-18T08:46:38Z")
I agree with Antonino, the Trust have a responsibility to provide the patient with a report that they can read and retain. That responsibility does not fall to the Tribunal Service. The TS are responsible for providing the interpreter for the hearing. ---
**Author:** ![Sophie\_Holloway](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/s/a88e4f/32.png) [@Sophie\_Holloway](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/u/Sophie_Holloway)\ **Post date:** [21 February 2024 12:11 UTC](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/t/responsiblity-for-translation-of-tribunal-reports-into-foreign-languages/1603/4 "2024-02-21T12:11:53Z")
Whilst I agree that it should be the duty of the RA, has anyone managed to get them to agree to provide translated reports? I currently have a French client with an upcoming MHT. Is it something that can be claimed back from LAA as a disbursement if I get them translated? ---
**Author:** ![GuyDavis](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/g/eb9ed0/32.png) [@GuyDavis](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/u/GuyDavis)\ **Post date:** [21 February 2024 13:23 UTC](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/t/responsiblity-for-translation-of-tribunal-reports-into-foreign-languages/1603/5 "2024-02-21T13:23:06Z")
Happy to be proved wrong but I don’t agree. The responsible authority is required to supply reports **to the Tribunal** in the form set out in the practice direction, which makes no mention of producing them in a manner that the patient will understand. On a practical level, surely it would be in the interests of the patient that any translation was commissioned and carried out, by anyone other than the responsible authority?