For most defence solicitors, the default for Arabic interpreter instruction is the Ministry of Justice framework agency — currently thebigword or Language Connect. This is reflexive rather than chosen. In practice, direct instruction of a named NRPSI interpreter is usually faster, cheaper, more accountable, and more reliable for serious matters. This article sets out the comparison in detail.
The Current Framework Landscape
The MoJ framework covers HM Courts & Tribunals Service, the police, the Crown Prosecution Service, and the Home Office. It does not bind defence solicitors, who retain free choice of interpreter for client-side work.
The Comparison: Like for Like
| Factor | Direct NRPSI instruction | MoJ framework agency |
|---|---|---|
| Named interpreter | Yes — named, NRPSI verifiable | Allocated by agency, often unverifiable in advance |
| Dialect match guarantee | Confirmed at booking | Not guaranteed — agency pool dependency |
| Continuity across hearings | Same interpreter, full case familiarity | Different interpreter each appearance |
| Bundle review in advance | Included as standard | Rarely possible — interpreter assigned hours before |
| Cost on direct comparison | £45–£70/hr depending on tier, no agency margin | Framework rate + agency margin + travel + premiums |
| CRM7/CRM8 attendance notes | Provided as standard | Variable — often requires chasing |
| Professional accountability | Named individual, NRPSI complaints procedure | Diffused — agency contracted, individual unnamed |
The Cost Math
A typical one-hour remote conference: direct instruction at £45–50/hr; agency framework: typically £80–120 once travel, margin, and short-notice premiums are added. The cost differential at scale across a 12-month period for a firm with regular Arabic-speaking caseload is material.
Where Direct Instruction Adds Most Value
- Specialist dialect cases: Agency pools for Yemeni and Sudanese Arabic are small. Direct instruction of a named specialist removes the risk of allocation roulette.
- Multi-day trials: A Crown Court trial running 3–10 days needs continuity. The same interpreter across the trial means consistent interpretation and vocabulary.
- Sensitive matters: FGM Protection Orders, modern slavery, vulnerable witness work, mental health detention.
- Ongoing client matters: Retainer or named-interpreter arrangement gives predictable cost and quality for firms with regular caseload.
When the Framework Is the Right Choice
Direct instruction is not always the right answer. The framework works adequately for short administrative hearings where dialect specificity is not critical, routine mention hearings, and cases where dialect is straightforward (MSA or widely-spoken Gulf variants).