Cap. 9 Art. 534ACRight to interpretation.

(1) Saving the provisions of articles 355AC, 451 and

516(2) where the suspect does not speak or understand the language of the criminal proceedings, as the case may be, he shall be provided, without unreasonable delay, with interpretation in the course of the said proceedings, including during police questioning.

(2) Interpretation shall be made available for communications between the suspect or the accused and their legal counsel in direct connection with any questioning or hearing during the proceedings or with the lodging of an appeal or other procedural applications.

(3) The right to interpretation under sub-articles (1) and (2) shall apply to persons suffering from hearing or speech impediments.

(4) It shall be the duty of the Executive Police and of the Court, as the case may be, to ascertain whether the suspect or the accused speak and understand the language of the criminal proceedings and whether they need the assistance of an interpreter.

(5) Nothing in this article shall be construed as precluding the suspect or the accused to demand that any decision finding, at any stage of the criminal proceedings, that there is no need for interpretation be reviewed and, when interpretation has been provided, the possibility to complain that the quality of the interpretation is not sufficient to safeguard the fairness of the proceedings.

(6) Interpretation provided under this article shall be of a quality sufficient to safeguard the fairness of the proceedings, in particular by ensuring that the suspect or the accused has knowledge of the case against him and is able to exercise his right of defence.