Greffe des traductions et interprétations

The mission of the Greffe des traductions et interprétations is to provide the courts and support directorates with a centre of expertise in translation and interpretation, to ensure the proper application of the regulations governing the translators and interpreters of the Judiciary Power and keep the register of interpreters and translators authorized to provide their services in the context of legal proceedings.

Contacts

Contact details

Telephone

Opening hours
9h-11h / 15h-17h

T. +41 22 327 67 67

Mailing address

Greffe des traductions et interprétations
Case postale 3966
1211 Genève 3

E-mail

Mission and services

The Greffe des traductions et interprétations has a wide range of services:

It provides linguistic expertise to the Judiciary Power's magistrates.
It processes and coordinates all requests for translations from the courts.
It selects, welcomes and accompanies the translators and interpreters assigned by the Judiciary Power.
It ensures the application of and compliance with the regulations and instructions concerning translation and interpretation for the institution
It relays the institution's point of view on translation and interpretation to professional associations and judicial authorities in other cantons.

Organization

The Office is the sole point of contact for the courts and directorates of the Judiciary Power for all translation-related matters

It is also the access point for translators and interpreters wishing to work for the Judiciary Power or for those already qualified to do so.

The Greffe des traductions et interprétations is organizationally attached to the Office of the Secretary General. It is composed of two collaborators.

I need an interpreter at a hearing, who should I contact?

You can contact the instance in charge of the proceedings directly.

For more information, consult the Contacts and access page

I would like to work as a translator or interpreter for the Judiciary Power (Public Prosecutor's Office and courts), how do I go about it?

You can send your complete registration form to the Greffe des traductions et interprétations.

You must enclose the following documents with your application:

Up-to-date curriculum vitae
Copies of diplomas, attestations and training certificates. In case of diplomas or training certificates obtained abroad, please provide a level certificate issued by a competent institution in Switzerland (e.g. Swissuniversities).
Copy of a language level certificate, if no diploma in the language(s) concerned is available
Copy of work certificates
Copy of your identity document and, for foreign nationals residing in Switzerland, residence permit
Electronic excerpt from the Swiss Central Criminal Register with digital signature and electronic notification (original less than 3 months old)
Certificate from the Office des poursuites (less than 3 months old)
Certificate from the Office des faillites (less than 3 months old)
Questionnaire and civil status questionnaire duly completed and signed, accompanied by the requested documents.

To be registered as an interpreter, I would like to attend a hearing at which an interpreter is present. Who should I contact?

You can contact the Greffe des traductions et interprétations by e-mail.

I have an impairment and I cannot do my interpretation at a hearing, who should I notify?

You must send an e-mail without delay to the Greffe des traductions et interprétations, by indicating your impediment and specifying the language, date, time, instance and proceeding/case number.Please attach your warrant of appearance/summons to appear.

As a translator and/or interpreter, my invoice or payment voucher has not yet been paid, who should I contact?

You can send an e-mail to the Greffe des traductions et interprétations.

I have changed my status and now contribute to a compensation fund as a freelance interpreter, who should I notify?

You can send an e-mail to the Greffe des traductions et interprétations.

I no longer wish to work as a translator and/or an interpreter for the Judiciary Power, who should I notify?

You can send an e-mail to the Greffe des traductions et interprétations.

What is an A1 form?

See the document The 10 most frequently asked questions about the A1 form

Where can I get my foreign degree recognized?

You can obtain a school-level certificate from a competent institution in Switzerland, as for , swissuniversities.

As a translator and/or interpreter, am I entitled to compensation for travel expenses?

No, travel expenses are not compensated. Exceptions are possible if you live more than 100 km away from the canton.

As a translator and/or interpreter, am I entitled to a compensation if my hearing is cancelled?

You are not entitled to any compensation if the hearing is cancelled more than 24 hours in advance.

If the hearing is cancelled less than 24 hours in advance, you are entitled to a lump-sum payment of Fr. 80.-.

The lump-sum amount is increased to Fr. 150.- if the cancelled hearing was scheduled for half a day or more and to Fr. 300.- if the cancelled hearing was scheduled for more than one day.