Tenn. R. Sup. Ct. Canon 3

As amended through July 2, 2024

Canon 3 - Impartiality and Avoidance of Conflict of Interest

Interpreters shall be impartial and unbiased and shall refrain from conduct that may give an appearance of bias. Interpreters shall disclose any real or perceived conflict of interest.

A. Any condition that interferes with the objectivity of an interpreter constitutes a conflict of interest. Before providing services in a matter, court interpreters shall disclose to all parties and presiding officials any prior involvement, whether personal or professional, that could be reasonably construed as a conflict of interest. Such disclosure(s) shall include, but not be limited to, the fact that the interpreter has previously been retained by one of the parties for private employment. Such disclosure(s) shall not include privileged or confidential information.

B. Whenever an interpreter has an actual or apparent conflict of interest, the interpreter shall declare in open court before appointment such conflict and the court shall determine whether the interpreter may serve in the case. Situations, including but not limited to the following, shall be presumed to create an actual or apparent conflict of interest:

(1) The interpreter is a friend, associate, or relative of a party or counsel for a party involved in the proceedings;

(2) The interpreter has served in an investigative capacity for any party involved in the case;

(3) The interpreter has previously been retained by a law enforcement agency or any party to assist in the preparation of the case at issue;

(4) The interpreter or the interpreter's spouse or child has a financial interest in the subject matter in controversy or is a party to the proceeding, or any other interest that would be affected by the outcome of the case;

(5) The interpreter has been involved in the choice of counsel or law firm for that case; or

(6) Any other situation in which the interpreter thinks his or her impartiality may be questioned or compromised.

C. Interpreters shall not serve in any matter in which payment for their services is contingent upon the outcome of the case.

Tenn. R. Sup. Ct. Canon 3

Commentary.

The interpreter serves as an officer of the court and the interpreter's duty in a court proceeding is to serve the court and the public to which the court is a servant. This is true regardless of whether the interpreter is publicly retained at government expense or retained privately at the expense of one of the parties. Although an interpreter must disclose the fact that the interpreter interpreted for a party during out-of-court meetings, interviews, or other proceedings in the case at issue, ethical considerations do not preclude the interpreter from serving as the interpreter for multiple parties or for both the court and one or more parties in that case.

An individual who is, or may become, a witness is not permitted to serve as an interpreter in that same matter.

During the course of the proceedings, interpreters should not converse with parties, witnesses, jurors, attorneys, or with friends or relatives of any party, except in the discharge of their official functions. It is especially important that interpreters, who are often familiar with attorneys or other members of the courtroom work group, including law enforcement officers, refrain from casual and personal conversations with anyone in court that may convey an appearance of a special relationship or partiality to any of the court participants.

The interpreter should strive for professional detachment. Verbal and non-verbal displays of personal attitudes, prejudices, emotions, or opinions should be avoided at all times.

An interpreter who is also an attorney should not serve in both capacities in the same matter.