AARTS is a supporter of the following Codes of Ethics
AUSIT
Code of Ethics
GENERAL PRINCIPLES
1. PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT
Interpreters and translators shall at all times act in accordance with the standards of conduct and decorum appropriate to the aims of AUSIT, the national professional association of interpreting and translation practitioners.
2. CONFIDENTIALITY
Interpreters and translators shall not disclose information acquired during the course of their assignments.
3. COMPETENCE
Interpreters and translators shall undertake only work which they are competent to perform in the language areas for which they are “accredited” or “recognised” by NAATI.
4. IMPARTIALITY
Interpreters and translators shall observe impartiality in all professional contracts.
5. ACCURACY
Interpreters and translators shall take all reasonable care to be accurate.
6. EMPLOYMENT
Interpreters and translators shall be responsible for the quality of their work, whether as freelance practitioners or employed practitioners of interpreting and translation agencies and other employers.
7. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Interpreters and translators shall continue to develop their professional knowledge and skills.
8. PROFESSIONAL SOLIDARITY
Interpreters and translators shall respect and support their fellow professionals.
CODE OF PRACTICE
Annotations to General Principles of Code of Ethics
1. PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT
a) Standards of Conduct and Decorum
i. Interpreters and translators shall be polite and courteous at all times.
ii. Interpreters and translators shall explain their role to those unaccustomed to working with them.
iii. Interpreters and translators shall be unobtrusive, but firm and dignified, at all times.
iv. It is the responsibility of interpreters and translators to ensure that the conditions under which they work facilitate rather than hinder communication.
v. Interpreters shall encourage speakers to address each other directly.
b) Honesty, Integrity and Dignity
i. Interpreters and translators shall not allow personal or other interests to prejudice or influence their work.
ii. Interpreters and translators shall not solicit or accept gratuities or other benefits.
[Cf. 6. Employment b) (iii)]
iii. Interpreters and translators shall not exercise power or influence over their clients.
iv. Interpreters and translators shall maintain their integrity and independence at all
times.
v. Interpreters and translators shall frankly disclose any possible conflict of interest.
c) Reliability
i. Interpreters and translators shall adhere to appointment times and deadlines, or in emergencies advise clients promptly.
ii .Interpreters and translators shall undertake appropriate preparations for all translating and interpreting (T&I) assignments.
iii. Interpreters and translators shall complete interpreting and translation assignments they have accepted.
d) Infamous Conduct
Interpreters and translators shall refrain from behaviour which their colleagues would reasonably regard as unprofessional or dishonourable.
e) Disputes
i. Interpreters and translators shall try to resolve any disputes with their interpreting and translating colleagues in a cooperative, constructive and professional manner.
ii. Interpreters and translators shall refer any unresolved disputes with other AUSIT members to the Executive Committee of their professional association and the conclusive direction of the Executive Committee shall be binding on members, with the provision of appeal or review in the interests of natural justice.
2. CONFIDENTIALITY
a) Information Sharing
i. Information shared in interpreting and translating assignments is strictly confidential.
ii. Disclosure of information may be permissible with clients’ agreement or when disclosure is mandated by law.
iii. Where teamwork is required, and with the clients’ permission, it may be necessary to brief other interpreters or translators who are members of the team involved in the assignment. In such circumstances, the ethical obligation for confidentiality extends to all members of the team and/or agency.
iv. Information gained by interpreters and translators from consultations between clients and their legal representatives is protected under the common law rule of legal professional privilege.
v. Interpreters and translators shall not sub-contract work to interpreting and translating colleagues without permission from their client.
vi. Translated documents at all times remain the property of the client and shall not be shown or released to a third party without the express permission of the client, or by order of a court of law.
3. COMPETENCE
a) Qualifications and Accreditation
i. Interpreters and translators shall accept only interpreting and translation assignments which they are competent to perform.
ii. Acceptance of an interpreting and translation is an implicit declaration of an interpreter’s or translator’s competence and constitutes a contract (oral or written).
iii. Interpreters and translators shall clearly specify to their clients the NAATI level and direction in the languages for which they are accredited or recognised.
iv. If requested by clients, interpreters and translators shall explain the difference between NAATI “Accreditation” and “Recognition”.
b) Level of Expertise
In the course of an assignment, if it becomes apparent to interpreters and translators that expertise beyond their competence is required, they shall inform the clients immediately and offer to withdraw from the assignment.
c) Prior Preparation
Interpreters and translators shall ascertain beforehand what will be required of them in a projected assignment, and then make the necessary preparation.
d) Second Opinions and Reviews
Any alterations made to interpreting and translation work, as a result of a second opinion and/or review by other interpreters or translators, shall be agreed upon by consultation between the interpreters and translators concerned.
4. IMPARTIALITY
a) Conflicts of Interest
i. Interpreters and translators shall not recommend to clients any business, agency, process, substance or material matters in which they have a personal or financial interest, without fully disclosing this interest to the clients.
ii. Interpreters and translators shall frankly disclose all conflicts of interest, including assignments for relatives or friends, and those affecting their employers.
iii. Interpreters and translators shall not accept, or shall withdraw from assignments in which impartiality may be difficult to maintain because of personal beliefs or circumstances.
b) Objectivity
i. A professional detachment is required for interpreting and translation assignments in all situations.
ii. If objectivity is threatened, interpreters and translators shall withdraw from the assignment.
c) Responsibility related to Impartiality
i. Interpreters and translators are not responsible for what clients say or write.
ii. Interpreters and translators shall not voice or write an opinion, solicited or unsolicited, on any matter or person in relation to an assignment.
iii If approached independently by separate parties to the same legal dispute, an interpreter or translator shall notify all parties and give the first party opportunity to claim exclusive right to the requested interpreting or translation service.
5. ACCURACY
a) Truth and Completeness
i. In order to ensure the same access to all that is said by all parties involved in a meeting, interpreters shall relay accurately and completely everything that is said.
ii. Interpreters shall convey the whole message, including derogatory or vulgar remarks, as well as non-verbal clues.
iii. If patent untruths are uttered or written, interpreters and translators shall convey these accurately as presented.
iv. Interpreters and translators shall not alter, make additions to, or omit anything from their assigned work.
b) Uncertainties in Transmission and Comprehension
i. Interpreters and translators shall acknowledge and promptly rectify their interpreting and translation mistakes.
ii. If anything is unclear, interpreters and translators shall ask for repetition, rephrasing or explanation.
iii. If recall and interpreting are being overtaxed, interpreters shall ask the speaker to pause, then signal to continue.
c) Clear Transmission
i. Interpreters shall ensure that speech is clearly heard and understood by everyone present.
ii. A short general conversation with clients prior to an assignment may be necessary to ensure interpreter and clients clearly understand each other’s speech.
iii. In a law court, simultaneous interpreting for clients shall be whispered.
d) Certification
Translators shall provide certification, if requested by their clients, that their translation is true and accurate so far as they know. Certification shall include the translator’s name, details of NAATI accreditation/recognition, language and language direction, and be signed and dated.
6. EMPLOYMENT
a) Freelance and Agency-employed Practitioners
i. Interpreters and translators may work in interpreting and translation assignments as independent (freelance) professionals, or under contract to a commercial or government agency.
ii. In both instances, freelance and employed interpreters and translators shall abide by the AUSIT Code of Ethics.
iii. If this Code of Ethics and an employing agency’s directions are in conflict, interpreters and translators shall abide by the Code of Ethics and, if necessary, withdraw from the assignment.
b) Fees and Payment in Kind
i. Members are free to set their own rates and conditions. AUSIT may provide information on ranges of rates charged by members.
ii. Interpreters and translators shall not accept for personal gain any fees, favours, commissions or the like from any person, firm, corporation or government agency, including another interpreter or translator, in connection with recommending to a client any person, business agency, substance, material matters, process or service.
iii. In general, gifts and tips in addition to the agreed fee shall not be accepted. However, some discretionary latitude may be exercised in accepting a gift as a token of gratitude, as this is obligatory in certain client cultures.
c) Accountability
i. Interpreters and translators shall be responsible for any services to or on behalf of clients by assistants or sub-contractors employed by the interpreters or translators.
ii. Interpreters and translators in the employment of another practitioner or interpreting and translation agency shall exercise the same diligence as in all professional contexts in the performance of their duties.
7. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
a) Maintaining Skills
i. Interpreters and translators shall constantly review and re-evaluate their work performance to maintain acceptable standards.
ii. Practicing interpreters and translators are expected to maintain and enhance their language skills by pursuing further relevant study and experience.
iii. Interpreters and translators shall maintain close familiarity with the languages and cultures for which they offer professional interpreting and translation expertise.
i. Interpreters and translators shall continually endeavour to improve their interpreting and translating skills.
b) Training and Practice
ii. It is incumbent on interpreters and translators to support and encourage the professional development of their colleagues.
8. PROFESSIONAL SOLIDARITY
a) Support of Colleagues
i. Interpreters and translators shall support and further the interests of the profession and their colleagues and offer each other reasonable assistance as required.
ii. Interpreters and translators shall refrain from making comments injurious to the reputation of a colleague.
b) Trust and Respect
i. Interpreters and translators shall promote and enhance the integrity of the profession by fostering trust and mutual respect between colleagues.
ii. Any differences of opinion interpreters and translators shall be expressed with candour and respect, rather than by denigration.
SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES TO THE CODE OF PRACTICE
Some useful suggestions follow which do not fit neatly into the Code of Practice, but which may help explain some clauses.
1. PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT
To determine the appropriateness or otherwise of a proposed course of action, consider whether or not it might impede or jeopardise effective communication. If approached directly by a client, known to be a client or another interpreting or translation professional or agency, do not accept any assignments offered without
first conferring with, and obtaining endorsement from, the other professional or agency.
..............
3. COMPETENCE
It is more informative for interpreters and translators to use arrows <> rather than hyphens to specify in writing language directions for which they are NAATI “accredited” or “recognised”. [cf3(a) (ii)].
The distinction between NAATI “accreditation” and “recognition” needs to be understood, and those who work with interpreters and translators should be given the opportunity to make informed decisions when seeking their services. [cf3 (a) (iii)].
Interpreters and translators ought to be given the opportunity to comment on any alterations made to their work a result of a second opinion and/or review by other interpreters or translators. [cf3 (d)].
..............
6. EMPLOYMENT
When employed by an interpreting and translation agency for specific tasks, interpreters and translators may present business cards representing that agency only - do not use personal cards or cards which imply employment by any other organisation. [cf1 (d)].
Code of Ethics
GENERAL PRINCIPLES
1. PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT
Interpreters and translators shall at all times act in accordance with the standards of conduct and decorum appropriate to the aims of AUSIT, the national professional association of interpreting and translation practitioners.
2. CONFIDENTIALITY
Interpreters and translators shall not disclose information acquired during the course of their assignments.
3. COMPETENCE
Interpreters and translators shall undertake only work which they are competent to perform in the language areas for which they are “accredited” or “recognised” by NAATI.
4. IMPARTIALITY
Interpreters and translators shall observe impartiality in all professional contracts.
5. ACCURACY
Interpreters and translators shall take all reasonable care to be accurate.
6. EMPLOYMENT
Interpreters and translators shall be responsible for the quality of their work, whether as freelance practitioners or employed practitioners of interpreting and translation agencies and other employers.
7. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Interpreters and translators shall continue to develop their professional knowledge and skills.
8. PROFESSIONAL SOLIDARITY
Interpreters and translators shall respect and support their fellow professionals.
CODE OF PRACTICE
Annotations to General Principles of Code of Ethics
1. PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT
a) Standards of Conduct and Decorum
i. Interpreters and translators shall be polite and courteous at all times.
ii. Interpreters and translators shall explain their role to those unaccustomed to working with them.
iii. Interpreters and translators shall be unobtrusive, but firm and dignified, at all times.
iv. It is the responsibility of interpreters and translators to ensure that the conditions under which they work facilitate rather than hinder communication.
v. Interpreters shall encourage speakers to address each other directly.
b) Honesty, Integrity and Dignity
i. Interpreters and translators shall not allow personal or other interests to prejudice or influence their work.
ii. Interpreters and translators shall not solicit or accept gratuities or other benefits.
[Cf. 6. Employment b) (iii)]
iii. Interpreters and translators shall not exercise power or influence over their clients.
iv. Interpreters and translators shall maintain their integrity and independence at all
times.
v. Interpreters and translators shall frankly disclose any possible conflict of interest.
c) Reliability
i. Interpreters and translators shall adhere to appointment times and deadlines, or in emergencies advise clients promptly.
ii .Interpreters and translators shall undertake appropriate preparations for all translating and interpreting (T&I) assignments.
iii. Interpreters and translators shall complete interpreting and translation assignments they have accepted.
d) Infamous Conduct
Interpreters and translators shall refrain from behaviour which their colleagues would reasonably regard as unprofessional or dishonourable.
e) Disputes
i. Interpreters and translators shall try to resolve any disputes with their interpreting and translating colleagues in a cooperative, constructive and professional manner.
ii. Interpreters and translators shall refer any unresolved disputes with other AUSIT members to the Executive Committee of their professional association and the conclusive direction of the Executive Committee shall be binding on members, with the provision of appeal or review in the interests of natural justice.
2. CONFIDENTIALITY
a) Information Sharing
i. Information shared in interpreting and translating assignments is strictly confidential.
ii. Disclosure of information may be permissible with clients’ agreement or when disclosure is mandated by law.
iii. Where teamwork is required, and with the clients’ permission, it may be necessary to brief other interpreters or translators who are members of the team involved in the assignment. In such circumstances, the ethical obligation for confidentiality extends to all members of the team and/or agency.
iv. Information gained by interpreters and translators from consultations between clients and their legal representatives is protected under the common law rule of legal professional privilege.
v. Interpreters and translators shall not sub-contract work to interpreting and translating colleagues without permission from their client.
vi. Translated documents at all times remain the property of the client and shall not be shown or released to a third party without the express permission of the client, or by order of a court of law.
3. COMPETENCE
a) Qualifications and Accreditation
i. Interpreters and translators shall accept only interpreting and translation assignments which they are competent to perform.
ii. Acceptance of an interpreting and translation is an implicit declaration of an interpreter’s or translator’s competence and constitutes a contract (oral or written).
iii. Interpreters and translators shall clearly specify to their clients the NAATI level and direction in the languages for which they are accredited or recognised.
iv. If requested by clients, interpreters and translators shall explain the difference between NAATI “Accreditation” and “Recognition”.
b) Level of Expertise
In the course of an assignment, if it becomes apparent to interpreters and translators that expertise beyond their competence is required, they shall inform the clients immediately and offer to withdraw from the assignment.
c) Prior Preparation
Interpreters and translators shall ascertain beforehand what will be required of them in a projected assignment, and then make the necessary preparation.
d) Second Opinions and Reviews
Any alterations made to interpreting and translation work, as a result of a second opinion and/or review by other interpreters or translators, shall be agreed upon by consultation between the interpreters and translators concerned.
4. IMPARTIALITY
a) Conflicts of Interest
i. Interpreters and translators shall not recommend to clients any business, agency, process, substance or material matters in which they have a personal or financial interest, without fully disclosing this interest to the clients.
ii. Interpreters and translators shall frankly disclose all conflicts of interest, including assignments for relatives or friends, and those affecting their employers.
iii. Interpreters and translators shall not accept, or shall withdraw from assignments in which impartiality may be difficult to maintain because of personal beliefs or circumstances.
b) Objectivity
i. A professional detachment is required for interpreting and translation assignments in all situations.
ii. If objectivity is threatened, interpreters and translators shall withdraw from the assignment.
c) Responsibility related to Impartiality
i. Interpreters and translators are not responsible for what clients say or write.
ii. Interpreters and translators shall not voice or write an opinion, solicited or unsolicited, on any matter or person in relation to an assignment.
iii If approached independently by separate parties to the same legal dispute, an interpreter or translator shall notify all parties and give the first party opportunity to claim exclusive right to the requested interpreting or translation service.
5. ACCURACY
a) Truth and Completeness
i. In order to ensure the same access to all that is said by all parties involved in a meeting, interpreters shall relay accurately and completely everything that is said.
ii. Interpreters shall convey the whole message, including derogatory or vulgar remarks, as well as non-verbal clues.
iii. If patent untruths are uttered or written, interpreters and translators shall convey these accurately as presented.
iv. Interpreters and translators shall not alter, make additions to, or omit anything from their assigned work.
b) Uncertainties in Transmission and Comprehension
i. Interpreters and translators shall acknowledge and promptly rectify their interpreting and translation mistakes.
ii. If anything is unclear, interpreters and translators shall ask for repetition, rephrasing or explanation.
iii. If recall and interpreting are being overtaxed, interpreters shall ask the speaker to pause, then signal to continue.
c) Clear Transmission
i. Interpreters shall ensure that speech is clearly heard and understood by everyone present.
ii. A short general conversation with clients prior to an assignment may be necessary to ensure interpreter and clients clearly understand each other’s speech.
iii. In a law court, simultaneous interpreting for clients shall be whispered.
d) Certification
Translators shall provide certification, if requested by their clients, that their translation is true and accurate so far as they know. Certification shall include the translator’s name, details of NAATI accreditation/recognition, language and language direction, and be signed and dated.
6. EMPLOYMENT
a) Freelance and Agency-employed Practitioners
i. Interpreters and translators may work in interpreting and translation assignments as independent (freelance) professionals, or under contract to a commercial or government agency.
ii. In both instances, freelance and employed interpreters and translators shall abide by the AUSIT Code of Ethics.
iii. If this Code of Ethics and an employing agency’s directions are in conflict, interpreters and translators shall abide by the Code of Ethics and, if necessary, withdraw from the assignment.
b) Fees and Payment in Kind
i. Members are free to set their own rates and conditions. AUSIT may provide information on ranges of rates charged by members.
ii. Interpreters and translators shall not accept for personal gain any fees, favours, commissions or the like from any person, firm, corporation or government agency, including another interpreter or translator, in connection with recommending to a client any person, business agency, substance, material matters, process or service.
iii. In general, gifts and tips in addition to the agreed fee shall not be accepted. However, some discretionary latitude may be exercised in accepting a gift as a token of gratitude, as this is obligatory in certain client cultures.
c) Accountability
i. Interpreters and translators shall be responsible for any services to or on behalf of clients by assistants or sub-contractors employed by the interpreters or translators.
ii. Interpreters and translators in the employment of another practitioner or interpreting and translation agency shall exercise the same diligence as in all professional contexts in the performance of their duties.
7. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
a) Maintaining Skills
i. Interpreters and translators shall constantly review and re-evaluate their work performance to maintain acceptable standards.
ii. Practicing interpreters and translators are expected to maintain and enhance their language skills by pursuing further relevant study and experience.
iii. Interpreters and translators shall maintain close familiarity with the languages and cultures for which they offer professional interpreting and translation expertise.
i. Interpreters and translators shall continually endeavour to improve their interpreting and translating skills.
b) Training and Practice
ii. It is incumbent on interpreters and translators to support and encourage the professional development of their colleagues.
8. PROFESSIONAL SOLIDARITY
a) Support of Colleagues
i. Interpreters and translators shall support and further the interests of the profession and their colleagues and offer each other reasonable assistance as required.
ii. Interpreters and translators shall refrain from making comments injurious to the reputation of a colleague.
b) Trust and Respect
i. Interpreters and translators shall promote and enhance the integrity of the profession by fostering trust and mutual respect between colleagues.
ii. Any differences of opinion interpreters and translators shall be expressed with candour and respect, rather than by denigration.
SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES TO THE CODE OF PRACTICE
Some useful suggestions follow which do not fit neatly into the Code of Practice, but which may help explain some clauses.
1. PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT
To determine the appropriateness or otherwise of a proposed course of action, consider whether or not it might impede or jeopardise effective communication. If approached directly by a client, known to be a client or another interpreting or translation professional or agency, do not accept any assignments offered without
first conferring with, and obtaining endorsement from, the other professional or agency.
..............
3. COMPETENCE
It is more informative for interpreters and translators to use arrows <> rather than hyphens to specify in writing language directions for which they are NAATI “accredited” or “recognised”. [cf3(a) (ii)].
The distinction between NAATI “accreditation” and “recognition” needs to be understood, and those who work with interpreters and translators should be given the opportunity to make informed decisions when seeking their services. [cf3 (a) (iii)].
Interpreters and translators ought to be given the opportunity to comment on any alterations made to their work a result of a second opinion and/or review by other interpreters or translators. [cf3 (d)].
..............
6. EMPLOYMENT
When employed by an interpreting and translation agency for specific tasks, interpreters and translators may present business cards representing that agency only - do not use personal cards or cards which imply employment by any other organisation. [cf1 (d)].
International Association of Conference Interpreters (AIIC)
CODE OF PROFESSIONAL ETHICS
I - PURPOSE AND SCOPE
Article 1
a) This Code of Professional Ethics (hereinafter called the "Code") lays down the standards of integrity, professionalism and confidentiality which all members of the Association shall be bound to respect in their work as conference interpreters.
b) Candidates shall also undertake to adhere to the provisions of this Code.
c) The Council, acting in accordance with the Regulation on Disciplinary Procedure, shall impose penalties for any breach of the rules of the profession as defined in this Code.
II - CODE OF HONOUR
Article 2
a) Members of the Association shall be bound by the strictest secrecy, which must be observed towards all persons and with regard to all information disclosed in the course of the practice of the profession at any gathering not open to the public.
b) Members shall refrain from deriving any personal gain whatsoever from confidential information they may have acquired in the exercise of their duties as conference interpreters.
Article 3
a) Members of the Association shall not accept any assignment for which they are not qualified. Acceptance of an assignment shall imply a moral undertaking on the member's part to work with all due professionalism.
b) Any member of the Association recruiting other conference interpreters, be they members of the Association or not, shall give the same undertaking.
c) Members of the Association shall not accept more than one assignment for the same period of time.
Article 4
a) Members of the Association shall not accept any job or situation which might detract from the dignity of the profession.
b) They shall refrain from any act which might bring the profession into disrepute.
Article 5
For any professional purpose, members may publicise the fact that they are conference interpreters and members of the Association, either as individuals or as part of any grouping or region to which they belong.
Article 6
a) It shall be the duty of members of the Association to afford their colleagues moral assistance and collegiality.
b) Members shall refrain from any utterance or action prejudicial to the interests of the Association or its members. Any complaint arising out of the conduct of any other member or any disagreement regarding any decision taken by the Association shall be pursued and settled within the Association itself.
c) Any problem pertaining to the profession which arises between two or more members of the Association, including candidates, may be referred to the Council for arbitration.
III - WORKING CONDITIONS
Article 7
With a view to ensuring the best quality interpretation, members of the Association:
a) shall endeavour always to secure satisfactory conditions of sound, visibility and comfort, having particular regard to the Professional Standards as adopted by the Association as well as any technical standards drawn up or approved by it;
b) shall not, as a general rule, when interpreting simultaneously in a booth, work either alone or without the availability of a colleague to relieve them should the need arise;
c) shall try to ensure that teams of conference interpreters are formed in such a way as to avoid the systematic use of relay;
d) shall not agree to undertake either simultaneous interpretation without a booth or whispered interpretation unless the circumstances are exceptional and the quality of interpretation work is not thereby impaired;
e) shall require a direct view of the speaker and the conference room. They will thus refuse to accept the use of television monitors instead of this direct view, except in the case of video conferences;
f) shall require that working documents and texts to be read out at the conference be sent to them in advance;
g) shall request a briefing session whenever appropriate;
h) shall not perform any other duties except that of conference interpreter at conferences for which they have been taken on as interpreters.
Article 8
Members of the Association shall neither accept nor, a fortiori, offer for themselves or for other conference interpreters recruited through them, be they members of the Association or not, any working conditions contrary to those laid down in this Code or in the Professional Standards.
IV - AMENDMENT PROCEDURE
Article 9
This Code may be modified by a decision of the Assembly taken with a two-thirds majority of votes cast, provided a legal opinion has been sought on the proposals.
CODE OF PROFESSIONAL ETHICS
I - PURPOSE AND SCOPE
Article 1
a) This Code of Professional Ethics (hereinafter called the "Code") lays down the standards of integrity, professionalism and confidentiality which all members of the Association shall be bound to respect in their work as conference interpreters.
b) Candidates shall also undertake to adhere to the provisions of this Code.
c) The Council, acting in accordance with the Regulation on Disciplinary Procedure, shall impose penalties for any breach of the rules of the profession as defined in this Code.
II - CODE OF HONOUR
Article 2
a) Members of the Association shall be bound by the strictest secrecy, which must be observed towards all persons and with regard to all information disclosed in the course of the practice of the profession at any gathering not open to the public.
b) Members shall refrain from deriving any personal gain whatsoever from confidential information they may have acquired in the exercise of their duties as conference interpreters.
Article 3
a) Members of the Association shall not accept any assignment for which they are not qualified. Acceptance of an assignment shall imply a moral undertaking on the member's part to work with all due professionalism.
b) Any member of the Association recruiting other conference interpreters, be they members of the Association or not, shall give the same undertaking.
c) Members of the Association shall not accept more than one assignment for the same period of time.
Article 4
a) Members of the Association shall not accept any job or situation which might detract from the dignity of the profession.
b) They shall refrain from any act which might bring the profession into disrepute.
Article 5
For any professional purpose, members may publicise the fact that they are conference interpreters and members of the Association, either as individuals or as part of any grouping or region to which they belong.
Article 6
a) It shall be the duty of members of the Association to afford their colleagues moral assistance and collegiality.
b) Members shall refrain from any utterance or action prejudicial to the interests of the Association or its members. Any complaint arising out of the conduct of any other member or any disagreement regarding any decision taken by the Association shall be pursued and settled within the Association itself.
c) Any problem pertaining to the profession which arises between two or more members of the Association, including candidates, may be referred to the Council for arbitration.
III - WORKING CONDITIONS
Article 7
With a view to ensuring the best quality interpretation, members of the Association:
a) shall endeavour always to secure satisfactory conditions of sound, visibility and comfort, having particular regard to the Professional Standards as adopted by the Association as well as any technical standards drawn up or approved by it;
b) shall not, as a general rule, when interpreting simultaneously in a booth, work either alone or without the availability of a colleague to relieve them should the need arise;
c) shall try to ensure that teams of conference interpreters are formed in such a way as to avoid the systematic use of relay;
d) shall not agree to undertake either simultaneous interpretation without a booth or whispered interpretation unless the circumstances are exceptional and the quality of interpretation work is not thereby impaired;
e) shall require a direct view of the speaker and the conference room. They will thus refuse to accept the use of television monitors instead of this direct view, except in the case of video conferences;
f) shall require that working documents and texts to be read out at the conference be sent to them in advance;
g) shall request a briefing session whenever appropriate;
h) shall not perform any other duties except that of conference interpreter at conferences for which they have been taken on as interpreters.
Article 8
Members of the Association shall neither accept nor, a fortiori, offer for themselves or for other conference interpreters recruited through them, be they members of the Association or not, any working conditions contrary to those laid down in this Code or in the Professional Standards.
IV - AMENDMENT PROCEDURE
Article 9
This Code may be modified by a decision of the Assembly taken with a two-thirds majority of votes cast, provided a legal opinion has been sought on the proposals.
International Association of Conference Translators
PROFESSIONAL CODE
Article 1
The provisions of the present Code including the Annex, which constitutes the ethical code of the profession, are binding on all the members of the Association.
Article 2
Translators 1 shall not engage in any form of activity incompatible with their duties or likely to be detrimental to the dignity of the profession.
Article 3
Translators shall observe professional secrecy. At no time shall they communicate to anybody information which they have obtained in the course of their duties and which has not been made public. They are not relieved of this obligation on the expiry of their contract.
Article 4
The translator shall not knowingly accept an appointment or work which is beyond his or her competence.
Article 5
Translators shall maintain friendly relations with their colleagues and observe their duties of moral support and solidarity. They shall refrain from all forms of unfair competition.
Article 6
Any dispute between members of the Association on professional questions may be submitted to the Disciplinary Board.
Article 7
Except in cases of force majeure, translators shall not undertake duties other than those provided for in their contract.
Article 8
Translators shall not consent to work in conditions likely to be detrimental to the quality of their work. Except as may be otherwise provided by an agreement between the AITC and the employer concerned, a member of the Association who is offered a contract which is not in conformity with the professional rules adopted by the General Assembly and reproduced in the Annex shall, unless he or she decides to refuse the contract, make the appropriate reservations. In either case the matter shall be referred to the Executive Committee without delay and the latter shall take the appropriate action.
Article 9
Each member of the Association shall select a professional domicile, i.e. the only place where he or she may be recruited as local staff.
The professional domicile may not be changed for a period of less than a year. Any change shall be notified without delay to the Executive Secretary.
Article 10
Except in cases of force majeure, the translator shall not withdraw from a contract unless he or she can give reasonable notice, supply a valid reason and propose a competent substitute.
Article 11
Members of the Association shall refrain from any action detrimental to the Association.
Article 12
Members of the Association who fail to observe the provisions of this Code shall be liable to the disciplinary measures specified in the Constitution.
PROFESSIONAL CODE
Article 1
The provisions of the present Code including the Annex, which constitutes the ethical code of the profession, are binding on all the members of the Association.
Article 2
Translators 1 shall not engage in any form of activity incompatible with their duties or likely to be detrimental to the dignity of the profession.
Article 3
Translators shall observe professional secrecy. At no time shall they communicate to anybody information which they have obtained in the course of their duties and which has not been made public. They are not relieved of this obligation on the expiry of their contract.
Article 4
The translator shall not knowingly accept an appointment or work which is beyond his or her competence.
Article 5
Translators shall maintain friendly relations with their colleagues and observe their duties of moral support and solidarity. They shall refrain from all forms of unfair competition.
Article 6
Any dispute between members of the Association on professional questions may be submitted to the Disciplinary Board.
Article 7
Except in cases of force majeure, translators shall not undertake duties other than those provided for in their contract.
Article 8
Translators shall not consent to work in conditions likely to be detrimental to the quality of their work. Except as may be otherwise provided by an agreement between the AITC and the employer concerned, a member of the Association who is offered a contract which is not in conformity with the professional rules adopted by the General Assembly and reproduced in the Annex shall, unless he or she decides to refuse the contract, make the appropriate reservations. In either case the matter shall be referred to the Executive Committee without delay and the latter shall take the appropriate action.
Article 9
Each member of the Association shall select a professional domicile, i.e. the only place where he or she may be recruited as local staff.
The professional domicile may not be changed for a period of less than a year. Any change shall be notified without delay to the Executive Secretary.
Article 10
Except in cases of force majeure, the translator shall not withdraw from a contract unless he or she can give reasonable notice, supply a valid reason and propose a competent substitute.
Article 11
Members of the Association shall refrain from any action detrimental to the Association.
Article 12
Members of the Association who fail to observe the provisions of this Code shall be liable to the disciplinary measures specified in the Constitution.