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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

Are you an interpreter for a South Asian language (for example, but not exclusively, Bengali, Urdu, Punjabi, Hindi, Gujarati)? Are you interested . . .

Queen Mary University wants to hear from you: write to Judith Yargawa via j.yargawa@qmul.ac.uk . . .
Published:19 March 2024
Topic: General News
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NRPSI presented at the CIOL Interpreters' Day on 16th March 2024; click here to see a PDF of the session

Very well attended day with many worthwhile and thought provoking presentations . . .
Published:18 March 2024
Topic: General News
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Click here for the full message from outgoing Chair of NRPSI Limited, Alan Kershaw

"It is with a heavy heart that I stand down from my responsibilities as of 31st March 2024 at NRPSI/NRPST, brought on by no more than an unexpected increase in my responsibilities at another Board I chair" . . .
Published:11 March 2024
Topic: General News
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Click here for details about recruitment for a new NRPSI Limited Lay Non-executive Board Member

NRPSI Limited is recruiting a Lay Non-executive Director with experience in finance . . .
Published:7 March 2024
Topic: General News
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Click here for the information pack for applicants for the position of Lay Non-executive Director of NRPSI Limited

The purpose of this pack is to provide potential applicants with further background information to assist them in deciding on whether they wish to apply . . .
Published:7 March 2024
Topic: General News
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NRPSI is recruiting a Lay Non-Executive Director with experience in finance. Click here to see the job description; closing date is 12th April 2024 . . .

Applications, sent preferably by email, are by a letter addressed to the Executive Director (mike@nrpsi.org.uk) outlining suitability for the role together with an accompanying CV and the names and contact details of two referees . . .
Published:7 March 2024
Topic: General News
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Click here for language services' briefing notes from the College of Policing

Worth while printing this document or downloading to your phone . . .
Published:5 March 2024
Topic: General News
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College of Policing advice to police working with interpreters; click here for an update

Print this off or save the PDF to your phone; useful to have with you . . .
Published:5 March 2024
Topic: General News
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On 1st March 2024, Phil Muriel presented to the MA Translation Studies Cohort at the University of Sheffield

Phil Muriel is a Practitioner Non-executive Director of NRPSI and NRPST . . .
Published:4 March 2024
Topic: General News
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