Rule 8 Confidentiality
Rule Text
(a) Interpreters and translators shall exercise the utmost discretion in all matters relating to their functions and shall not communicate at any time to the media or to any institution, person, governmental or non-governmental organization or other Adopted March 5, 2020 authority external to the NMI Judiciary any information which has become known to them in the course of their duties.
(b) Interpreters and translators shall not communicate any information that has been entrusted to them in confidence, that has become known to them by reason of their functions, or that they otherwise know to be confidential to any person inside the NMI Judiciary other than those persons who need to have such information for the performance of their duties or with the authorization of the Chief Justice, Presiding Judge, or their designees.
(c) Interpreter and translator work-product shall be the property of the NMI Judiciary and shall not be shown or released to third persons without specific authorization from the Chief Justice, Presiding Judge, or their designees.
(d) Interpreters and translators shall not discuss the details of any case pending before the Superior Court or Supreme Court without specific authorization from the Chief Justice or Presiding Judge or their designees.
(e) Interpreters and translators shall not derive any personal profit or advantage from any confidential information that they may have acquired during the performance of their duties.
(f) Interpreters and translators shall continue to maintain confidentiality after the expiration or termination of their employment.
(g) Where team work is required, and with LAPP Coordinator’s permission, it may be necessary for interpreters or translators to brief other interpreters or translators from the team involved in the assignment. In such circumstances, the ethical obligation for confidentiality extends to all members of the team.
(h) Information gained by interpreters and translators from consultations or communications between suspects or accused and their legal representatives is protected under the rule of legal professional privilege, and must not be disclosed to any other person without the express consent of the suspect or accused concerned and his or her counsel.
(i) The duty of professional secrecy continues after the expiration or termination of the interpreter’s or translator’s services with the Judiciary.
Adopted March 5, 2020