Invitation To Participate in a Research Project

Invitation To Participate in a Research Project

RMIT University is seeking volunteers to participate in a research project focusing on language barriers and interpreter usage within the lawyer-client relationship. We are seeking to interview Legal Aid and Community Legal Service lawyers who have represented limited-English speaking clients from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse backgrounds in a criminal matter.

The interviews will focus on three central aims.

These are:

  • To understand how language barriers shape approaches to lawyer-client rapport-building and representation.
  • Understanding when a language interpreter is needed, and how this is measured in practice.
  • The effect that language barriers can have on final legal outcomes.

We believe that language barriers in the criminal justice system remain an ongoing concern which can substantially influence how justice is administered. Your perspectives will offer a valuable insight into the practical issues which both linguistically diverse clients and the lawyers who represent them face whilst navigating the legal process.

If you are interested in participating, and would like more information, we encourage you to contact Dr Georgina Heydon at (03) 9925 3640 or georgina.heydon@rmit.edu.au. Or Joseph MacFarlane at joseph.macfarlane@rmit.edu.au

Thank you.