Care Proceedings Translation Checklist for Solicitors

Care proceedings can involve a large number of connected documents, tight hearing dates and sensitive evidence. A clear translation instruction helps the linguist understand what must be translated, how the documents relate to each other and which details need to remain consistent across the case file.

This checklist is intended for solicitors and legal teams preparing documents for translation in care and child-protection matters. It is about preparing the language-service instruction, not deciding what evidence should be translated or what is recoverable under legal aid.

1. Identify the exact documents or pages required

Start by confirming the exact documents, page ranges or sections that require translation. In a large bundle, this avoids unnecessary work and helps the translation team estimate the source-word count and deadline accurately.

• Threshold documents and schedules of allegations
• Witness statements from parents, relatives or professionals
• Social-work and viability assessments
• CAFCASS or guardian reports
• Court orders and directions
• Expert, medical or psychological reports
• Pre-proceedings correspondence
• Selected exhibits, messages or supporting records

Where only part of a document is required, identify the relevant pages clearly. If the selected material depends on surrounding text to be understood, include enough context for the translator to follow the document properly.

2. Confirm the source and target language, including dialect

Do not rely on a broad language label where a regional variety matters. Arabic, Kurdish, Punjabi and other languages can require more precise identification. If the client’s preferred dialect or regional variety is known, include it with the instruction.

The site’s language and dialect coverage page explains some of the distinctions that can affect assignment.

3. Provide the hearing date and the real translation deadline

Give the translation team both the court or conference date and the date by which the translated material must actually be available. These are not always the same. A document may need to be reviewed by the solicitor, discussed with the client or inserted into a bundle before the hearing itself.

For urgent work, state the priority documents first. If the full bundle cannot reasonably be completed within the available time, that allows the scope and delivery order to be discussed before work begins.

4. Supply names, case references and terminology that must stay consistent

Consistency matters when several translated documents will be read together. Provide the correct spelling of party names, children’s names, professional names, court references and any established translations of recurring terms where available.

• Case number and court
• Party names and roles
• Children’s names and initials as they appear in the file
• Names of social workers, guardians and experts
• Existing translations from the same matter
• Exhibit labels and bundle references

If a witness statement, court order and CAFCASS report all refer to the same people or events, sharing the connected documents can help keep terminology and references aligned.

5. State whether formatting and certification are required

Tell the translation provider how the completed document will be used. If paragraph numbering, headings, tables, exhibit references or page structure need to remain easy to cross-reference against the source, say so at the start.

If certification is required, confirm that with the instruction rather than after the translation has been completed. The appropriate format depends on the intended use and receiving body.

6. Check the funding and scope before instruction

The instructing legal professional should confirm the funding, recoverability and any prior-authority requirements that apply to the individual matter. The translation provider can quote for the requested scope, but the decision about what should be translated and how the cost is treated remains with the instructing team.

For the site’s published pricing information, use the Legal Aid translation rates guide.

7. Keep related family-law documents connected

Care proceedings rarely involve a single document in isolation. Where several items are being translated, identify which documents belong to the same case and whether terminology should be kept consistent across them.

• Witness statement translation
• CAFCASS report translation
• Court order translation
• Court bundle translation

Useful sector pages

For broader information about the types of documents handled in these matters, see the site’s family law translation and child-protection translation pages.

Quick instruction checklist

• Exact files, pages or sections required
• Source language and target language
• Dialect or regional variety where relevant
• Hearing date and required delivery date
• Correct names and case reference
• Related documents for terminology consistency
• Formatting and certification requirements
• Funding position and any internal authority requirements

A complete instruction at the outset reduces avoidable queries and makes it easier to confirm scope, availability and delivery before translation starts.