Abstract:

Membership in the European Union (EU) has grown to 27 Member States. As an arm of the Commission of the European Communities, the Directorate General: Justice, Security and Freedom is charged with setting common EU legal standards and promoting consistent compliance among all Member States. The current article examines a Proposal for a Council Framework Decision (PCFD) on Certain Procedural Rights in Criminal Proceedings. A major focus of the PCFD is the provision of language services (interpreting and translation) for individuals who do not speak the language of the court/legal system in which they find themselves. This paper traces the progress of the PCFD from its introduction in 2004 to its demise in 2007. Related topics of discussion include the European Convention on Human Rights, the Treaty of Lisbon, and additional relevant developments in the language services area. The article concludes with a look at potential future legislation.

Author: Nancy Schweda Nicholson