THERE are no longer any barriers to introducing bilingual juries to Welsh courts, Plaid Cymru’s Parliamentary leader will tell probation officers today.
Elfyn Llwyd, Meirionnydd Nant Conwy MP, believes using translators in court could lead to miscarriages of justice, and is also costly.
Addressing the National Association of Probation Officers’ annual conference in Llandudno today he will slap down claims there are not enough Welsh speakers to make jury selection random.
“The 2001 Census shows that 40% of them live in the South and East of Wales – Wrexham, Cardiff, Newport and the Valleys. This is important in terms of the call for the use of Welsh in the courts, and also to deal with the argument about selecting juries by chance,” he will tell delegates.
“There's no basis either to the claim that this will cost more money. Indeed, if translation services aren't needed, then savings could be made daily.
“And in terms of practicality and fairness, it’s fair to say translations are never as good as the original. There is a possibility of unfairness and even injustice.”
