5.2 Structure for handling complaints.
All notifications of complaint or concern should preferably be made immediately and in writing (and in any case not more than three months after the event or first knowledge of it) and will be subject to further enquiry. This will normally entail a written communication to the interpreter concerned, seeking further information about the incident and offering a right of reply. The interpreter's response, if any, will be directed back to the complainant for further comment, if appropriate, along with any comment from the NRPSI. The complaint may rest here and no further action will be taken. Alternatively, the procedure(s) indicated below may be activated. The absence of a response from an interpreter will not normally prevent further action under the disciplinary procedures.
5.3 Disciplinary procedures.
If a complaint is to progress to any of the disciplinary stages outlined below, statements will be sought from the complainant and other parties involved and penalties only imposed if, on the balance of probabilities, the interpreter is found to be at fault.
The NRPSI Disciplinary Panel (see below) will be convened as soon as possible.
The Panel may consider documentation alone or representation from any interested parties, or a mixture of both.
5.3.1 Warning.
For minor indiscretions (such as inappropriate dress or lateness), a warning will be given in writing, which will offer advice and guidance on the interpreter's future conduct.
5.3.2 Suspension pending further enquiry.
In certain circumstances, for example, failure to improve after several warnings or an alleged major breach of the Code, the interpreter will be suspended pending conclusion of enquiries. This suspension will be for an indeterminate period while further details are gathered from interested parties and considered. The interpreter should not undertake interpreting under the NRPSI scheme whilst suspended from the NRPSI. It may be that the information gathered warrants no further action or it may require action at one of the following penalty levels.
5.3.3 Demotion.
Where the circumstances of the breach are serious and proven on a balance of probabilities, but which do not call for suspension or expulsion, the interpreter may be given a warning and demoted from Full to Interim category on the NRPSI for a period determined by the Disciplinary Panel. (The circumstances may include, for instance, isolated lapses in interpreting accuracy, persistent lateness, and persistent failure to turn up.) The demotion may require the interpreter to undergo recognised in-service training or to pass an appropriate examination before being considered for reinstatement to the Full category.
5.3.4 Suspension from the NRPSI for a determined period.
Suspension for a limited period of time may be necessary in situations where the breach of the Code of Conduct is of grave concern to the NRPSI but where there may be acceptable mitigating circumstances that would preclude expulsion from the NRPSI. Such circumstances may include first-time major breaches, lack of judgement in isolated incidents or swapping assignments without authorisation. It may be that in appropriate cases, the period of suspension served pending enquiry is of itself deemed discipline enough and that no further penalty is warranted. The interpreter should not undertake interpreting under the NRPSI scheme while suspended from the NRPSI.
5.3.5 Expulsion from the NRPSI.
Interpreters may be expelled from the NRPSI for a major breach of the Code, for further serious breaches for which the interpreter has previously been suspended or for repeated less serious infringements of the Code. In addition, automatic expulsion will result where an interpreter has been found to be working as an NRPSI interpreter whilst serving a period of suspension as outlined above
Major breaches of the Code include:
Unprofessional conduct likely to discredit the NRPSI (including impairment through drugs or alcohol, sexual misconduct, violence, intimidation or abusive behaviour); substantiated allegations of incompetence such as major lapses in interpreting accuracy; serious negligence causing unacceptable loss/damage /injury. The above is not meant to be exhaustive).
5.4 Appeals.
The right of appeal to the Appeals Panel will depend on material fact/s coming to light after a Disciplinary Panel hearing and not previously considered by the Disciplinary Panel. A request for an appeal should normally be received in writing within 28 days of receiving notification of the Disciplinary Panel's decision and has to provide details of the material fact/s not previously heard bythe Disciplinary Panel.
The Appeals Panel Chairman decides whether to convene the Appeals Panel on the basis of the material fact/s presented. The new material fact/s will be communicated to the complainant with a request for comment and the Appeals Panel is convened as soon as possible thereafter if it is decided to go ahead with the appeal hearing. The appeal hearing is held on the basis of documentation alone. The result will be final.
5.5 General.
5.5.1 Past conduct.
Each complaint will be judged on its merits for the purposes of deciding, on a balance of probabilities, whether a breach has been substantiated. However, an overall view will be taken of past conduct and performance under the NRPSI scheme when deciding on the penalty administered by the Disciplinary Panel.
5.5.2 Information on progress and notification of result.
In all cases the interpreter will be kept informed, on request, of the progress of any complaint made and will be notified in writing of the outcome.
The result will also be communicated to the complainant and, in the case of the severest penalty (expulsion), to the entire NRPSI user clientele.
Records will be kept for a reasonable time of all complaint investigations and their results.
5.5.3 Re-admission.
Applications will not be considered from an interpreter who has been removed from the NRPSI as a result of the complaints procedure.
5.5.4 Out of pocket expenses.
Panel members' reasonable expenses will be reimbursed from NRPSI funds.
Reasonable out of pocket expenses incurred by an interpreter subject to disciplinary procedures will only be reimbursed if the disciplinary hearing finds that there were absolutely no grounds whatever for the complaint.
A complainant's expenses will not normally be reimbursed from NRPSI funds.
5.6 Disciplinary panel.
Comprises: Institute of Linguists (IoL) Director of Examinations as manager of the NRPSI
plus
two practising interpreters from a recognised interpreting institution
plus
one representative of interpreter users (e.g. LSAG member)
5.7 Disciplinary appeals panel.
Comprises: IoL Chief Executive as the ultimate salaried officer responsible for the NRPSI
plus
one senior officer from another interpreting institution or interpreter client agency
plus
an interpreter from a recognised interpreting institution.
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