Legal · Circular 36 of 2026
Principal Court Interpreter
Office of the Chief Justice
Overview
Principal Court Interpreter needed at the KwaZulu-Natal High Court in Pietermaritzburg to render interpreting services in complex cases and supervise junior interpreters.
Requirements
- Applicants should be in possession of a National Diploma in Legal Interpreting or equivalent qualification at NQF level six (6) with 360 credits as recognised by SAQA.
- A minimum of two (2) years’ practical experience in Court Interpreting of which one (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.
Duties
- 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.
How to apply
Applications can be sent via email to 2026/140/OCJ@judiciary.org.za
Enquiries: Technical Related Enquiries: Mr MN Zondi Tel No: (033) 345 8211 HR Related Enquiries: Ms SZ Mvuyana Tel No: (031) 493 1723
Notes
The Organisation will give preference to candidates in line with the Employment Equity goals. The Organisation will give preference to candidates in line with the Employment Equity goals.
Post 36/62, sourced from the DPSA Circular 36 of 2026. Apply directly to Office of the Chief Justice by 23 October 2026, quoting reference 2026/140/OCJ. This is an unofficial index; the advert in the circular is authoritative.
- Location
- Pietermaritzburg
- Salary
- R413 001 – R486 501 p/a · Level 8
- Closing date
- 23 October 2026
- Reference
- 2026/140/OCJ
Apply directly to the department, by the closing date, quoting the reference.