                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

INTERPRETERS FOR NON-ENGLISH-SPEAKING PERSONS IN CIVIL CASES (§ 8.01-384.1:1)

A. In any trial, hearing or other proceeding before a judge in a civil case in
which a non-English-speaking person is a party or witness, an interpreter for
the non-English-speaking person may be appointed by the court. A qualified
English-speaking person fluent in the language of the non-English-speaking
person may be appointed by the judge of the court in which the case is to be
heard unless the non-English-speaking person shall obtain a qualified
interpreter of his own choosing who is approved by the court as being competent.

B. To the extent of available appropriations, the compensation of such
interpreter shall be fixed by the court in accordance with guidelines set by the
Judicial Council of Virginia and shall be paid from the general fund of the
state treasury as part of the expense of trial. The amount allowed by the court
to the interpreter may, in the discretion of the court, be assessed against
either party as a part of the cost of the case and, if collected, the same shall
be paid to the Commonwealth.

C. Whenever a person communicates through an interpreter to any person under
such circumstances that the communications would be privileged, and such persons
could not be compelled to testify as to the communications, this privilege shall
also apply to the interpreter. The provisions of this section shall apply in
circuit courts and district courts.

HISTORY: 1996, c. 559; 2003, c. 1011.