Directive 2010/64/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 October 2010 on the right to interpretation and translation in criminal proceedings

Agreement was reached on a general approach at the Justice Council of 23 October 2009, but there was not enough time for adoption before 1 December 2009, date of entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty so that earlier proposal became obsolete and was renegotiated under the co-decision procedure.

This first instrument of procedural rights implementing the Council's Roadmap establishes common minimum rules for European Union countries on the right to interpretation and translation in criminal proceedings as well as in proceedings for the execution of the European arrest warrant. It contributes to the proper functioning of judicial cooperation within the EU by facilitating the mutual recognition of judicial decisions in criminal matters.

The right to interpretation and translation must be provided to persons who do not speak or understand the language of the procedure. This right must be provided from the time these persons are made aware of being suspected or accused of a criminal offence until the end of the criminal proceedings, including sentencing and ruling on appeal. EU countries must also make interpretation available for the persons concerned to communicate with their legal counsel on matters relating directly to any questioning or hearing during the proceedings or to the lodging of an appeal.

EU countries must also provide, within a reasonable time period, the suspected or accused persons with a written translation of certain essential documents.