---
title: "Letter engaging an interpreter"
url: "https://ailawframework.com/precedents/personal-injury-and-compensation/interpreter-engagement-letter"
type: "precedent"
site: "AI Law Framework"
id: "a21-interpreter-engagement-letter"
area_id: "A21"
kind: "letter"
ai_level: "yellow"
version: 1
task_ids: ["A21-IN20261023-14"]
law_stated_as_at: "2026-10-23"
---

# Letter engaging an interpreter

> Letter asking an interpreting agency for a NAATI-credentialed interpreter for a personal injury conference, and recording the credential if a specialist legal interpreter is not available.

Canonical page: https://ailawframework.com/precedents/personal-injury-and-compensation/interpreter-engagement-letter  
Law stated as at: 2026-10-23

Site index for agents: https://ailawframework.com/llms.txt

## Key facts

- Kind: Letter. A letter or email you adapt and send.
- Practice area: [Personal Injury & Compensation](https://ailawframework.com/precedents/personal-injury-and-compensation.md)
- Jurisdictions: Victoria, Queensland, New South Wales
- AI level: Yellow. You and the tool draft together, with you directing. You check every statement you rely on.
- Law stated as at: 2026-10-23
- Status: Maintained. Checked on 2026-10-23 against the 3 authorities it cites, for Victoria, Queensland and New South Wales.

## When to use it

Use when a client, or a person enquiring for them, needs an interpreter for a first interview or a later conference. Do not use a family member as the interpreter unless no credentialed interpreter can be found, and record why.

## Used for these tasks

- [Arrange an interpreter so the client can give instructions](https://ailawframework.com/practice/personal-injury-and-compensation/arrange-an-interpreter-so-the-client-can-give-instructions.md)

## How AI may be used

The tool may fill the language, date and mode the lawyer has chosen, and it must not book a relative as the interpreter or invent a NAATI number.

**AI may:**

- Ask for a Certified Specialist Legal Interpreter, and name the fallback credential the lawyer has accepted
- Give the agency a short subject line only, such as a personal injury conference
- Record the credential type, number and expiry when the agency replies

**AI must not:**

- Must not describe a friend or relative as a NAATI-credentialed interpreter
- Must not put the client's diagnosis, wage records or claim number in the booking
- Must not treat translation of a long document as part of an interpreting booking
- Must not invent a credential number or an expiry date

**The lawyer checks:**

- The credential is current. NAATI says a credential expires after three years unless the holder recertifies
- The language and dialect are the ones the client asked for
- A family member is used only if no credentialed interpreter can be found, and the file records the Proctor's warning about deficiencies
- The brief to the agency stays inside conduct rule 9. A Queensland solicitor checks the local conduct rule
- Auslan or a Deaf interpreter is booked when that is what the client needs. Those credentials are on the NAATI page

## Authorities

- [NAATI, Certification system (opened 23 October 2026): Certified Specialist Legal Interpreter, Certified Interpreter, Certified Provisional Interpreter and Recognised Practising Interpreter; credentials expire after three years unless recertified](https://www.naati.com.au/certification/)
- [QLS Proctor, January 2022, Working with interpreters: for legal matters, best practice is a Certified Interpreter or higher; if none can be found, a second-best option may have deficiencies](https://www.qlsproctor.com.au/2022/01/working-with-interpreters/)
- [Legal Profession Uniform Law Australian Solicitors' Conduct Rules 2015 r 9.1 and r 9.2.1 (NSW compilation): confidential information is not disclosed without authority](https://legislation.nsw.gov.au/view/html/inforce/current/sl-2015-0244#sec.9)

## Full text and drafting notes

The full text and the drafting notes are not part of this public page. Signed-in firm accounts can read them at https://ailawframework.com/precedents/personal-injury-and-compensation/interpreter-engagement-letter and through the signed-in MCP connector https://ailawframework.com/mcp/firm.

*Practice guidance for planning and review. Confirm current primary sources and the requirements of the actual matter. This is general information, not legal advice.*