Principal Court Interpreter

About the role

The Office of the Chief Justice is hiring a Principal Court Interpreter, based in KwaZulu-Natal Division of The High Court Pietermaritzburg. This is a permanent post, paying R413,001 – R486,501 a year. How to apply: Applications can be sent via email to 2026/140/OCJ@judiciary.org.za Reference number to quote: 2026/140/OCJ Closing date: 23 October 2026 Use the new Z83 form and attach a detailed CV. Note: The Organisation will give preference to candidates in line with the Employment Equity goals.

Responsibilities

• Render interpreting services in high profile matters, interpret in complex cases, interpret in criminal, civil, and Labour Court.
• Interpret in Small claims Court, control and attend to personnel administrative aspects of Interpreters, provide and coaching to junior Interpreters, manage performance agreement contracts, draw a schedule for replacement of Court Interpreters, translate Legal documents and exhibits, study and analyse the source documents, conduct necessary research and consult, Check, edit and revise the translated documents, procure foreign language interpreters and casuals in line with PFMA and the relevant policy.
• Report statistics to be generated and escalated to the cluster manager for consolidation, authorise payments of foreign and casual language interpreters, develop terminology, harvest of terminology and database development, provide terms and their respective meanings in the glossary register, supervise and develop staff and allocate duties and perform quality control on the work delivered by officials.

Requirements

• A National Diploma in Legal Interpreting or equivalent qualification at NQF level six (6) with 360 credits as recognised by SAQA.
• At least 2 years’ practical experience in Court Interpreting of which 1 year should be at supervisory level.
• A valid driver’s license will serve as an added advantage.
• Knowledge and skills:
• Knowledge of Batho Pele and the OCJ Principles
• Court proceedings
• Cultural diversity
• Knowledge of Policies
• Prescripts, and Legislation and Full command of the language
• Skilled in communication, computer literacy, listening, interpersonal, customer service orientation, planning and organising, problem solving and confidentiality.
• Along with the following attributes: Ability to work under pressure and art of interpreting.