What is the difference between an interpreter and a translator? An interpreter renders spoken language in real time during a meeting, hearing or consultation. A translator works on written text — contracts, reports, certificates — outside real-time settings. They are distinct professions with their own training, registers and methods. Ecrivus delivers both, via separate specialists: an NRPSI-registered court interpreter is rarely the same person who later translates the underlying bundle of pleadings.
When do I need an NRPSI-registered interpreter? For Crown Court, county court, Magistrates' Court and police-interview work in the UK, an NRPSI-registered interpreter (typically with an Enhanced DBS check) is the recognised baseline. NRPSI is the independent voluntary regulator for public service interpreting; the public register at nrpsi.org.uk is searchable by language and specialism. We match you to a register-eligible interpreter for the relevant language pair and specialism (criminal, family, asylum, civil).
What is the difference between consecutive and simultaneous interpreting? In simultaneous interpreting the interpreter renders speech live while the speaker continues — from a soundproof booth (mobile or fixed, to international booth specifications) with headsets, suitable for conferences in 2 or more languages. In consecutive interpreting the speaker pauses every 1–3 minutes and the interpreter delivers after — suitable for negotiations, press conferences and depositions. For very small audiences (up to two listeners), choose whispered (chuchotage); for one-to-one or small-group settings (asylum interview, medical consultation), choose liaison.
How quickly can you provide an interpreter? Lead time is confirmed in the quote, varying by location, language pair and mode. Common-language VRI or telephone work can usually be arranged at short notice; on-site simultaneous conference assignments are best booked several weeks ahead as two interpreters per booth are required. Rare-language assignments (Tigrinya, Pashto, Burmese, Somali) and on-site work far from our Maastricht base require additional preparation time. We confirm a concrete lead time in writing in the quote.
Do you work with NHS Trusts, Crown Court hearings or police interviews? Yes. We deploy NRPSI-registered, DBS-checked and safeguarding-trained interpreters aligned to NHS SBS framework standards for healthcare and to HMCTS expectations for Crown Court, county court, Magistrates' Court, Tribunals and police interviews. Family members, friends and children should never act as interpreters in clinical or legal settings — this aligns with NHS England and Equality Act 2010 guidance. For sensitive consultations we recommend on-site or VRI on an encrypted platform, never consumer video tools.
What languages do you cover, and do you provide BSL? We cover 225+ spoken languages via 10,000+ linguists — including common business pairings (English↔French, German, Spanish, Mandarin), Home Office asylum-context languages (Tigrinya, Pashto, Dari, Burmese, Somali) and healthcare-frequent languages (Polish, Romanian, Arabic, Urdu, Punjabi, Russian). We focus exclusively on spoken-language interpreting; for British Sign Language (BSL) we recommend accredited specialist providers — Sign Solutions / InterpretersLive!, SignVideo, Signalise Co-op.
Do you also provide translation services? Yes. Alongside interpreting, Ecrivus offers a full range of translation services: certified, legal, technical, financial, marketing, website and software localisation. Visit our <a href="/en/services/translation-services/">Translation services hub</a> for more information.