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Facilities at courts

Most courtrooms are fitted with induction loops including infra red facilities. If you think this may help you, please tell the customer service officer at the court as soon as you know you will have to attend a hearing.

If you want, you may visit the courtroom before the case is heard to be certain the facility will help you. To arrange a pre-court visit, contact with the Customer Service Officer at the court you are due to attend.

If the start of your case is called over a tannoy system and you feel this may be a problem, let the person on the reception desk know this.

If you require an interpreter, the customer service officer will arrange this. You should give them as much notice as possible.

You can find details about how to contact the court on any correspondence you have been sent or via the HM Courts Service online court finder.

• HMCS CourtFinder (opens new window)

Using an interpreter

If you are attending court as, for example, a claimant or defendant in a civil or family matter, Her Majesty's Court Service will pay reasonable costs for an interpreter to assist you at your hearing. It will only pay for interpreters booked through the court.

If you require the use of an interpreter, you should contact the court as soon as possible in order to tell them. The court will make arrangements for an interpreter to attend.

The Court Service is not responsible for providing an interpreter for any preparation involved in the course of your case, for example discussions with a solicitor.

Using a friend or relative as an interpreter

Unless your friend or relative has a recognised qualification in relaying information between deaf and hearing people, it may be better to use a qualified interpreter.

If you want a friend or relative to interpret for you at a hearing, you will need to ask the judge for permission. The judge must be satisfied that your friend or relative can exactly interpret what you are saying to the court and also interpret what is being said to you. The customer service officer can help you arrange this. 

Further information and advice

Your first point of contact should always be with the customer service officer at the court you are to attend. You can find details about how to contact the court on any correspondence you have been sent or via the HM Courts Service online court finder.

Some courts have introductory videos or DVDs which are signed or contain subtitles. As well as British Sign Language, it may be possible to get DVDs that use other forms of sign language, such Sign Supported English (SSE).

If you need further information, please contact:

Customer Service Unit, Her Majesty’s Courts Service
5th Floor, Clive House, 70 Petty France
London SW1H 9HD

Telephone: 0845 4568770 or 020 7189 2000
Fax: 020 7189 2732
Disability Helpline/Textphone: Freephone 0800 358 3506
Email: customerservicecshq@hmcourts-service.gsi.gov.uk

• HMCS CourtFinder (opens new window)