Rules of Professional Ethics

§ 1. Public trust person’s status. A sworn translator does everything to fulfill his ethical conduct requirements that society expects from a person of public trust.

§ 2. The obligation of care and loyalty. A sworn translator is obliged to carry out a translation with the utmost care, maintaining loyalty to the source text according to the rules of specialist translation and the formal rules of judicial and legal translation.

§ 3. The obligation of special impartiality. A sworn translator carries out the assigned tasks with particular impartiality, does not express his personal views in any way and represents neither the stance of the client nor of the persons whose statements he translates.

§ 4. The justified refusal to translate. A sworn translator can refuse to accept a translation in exceptional cases, when he does not have sufficient expertise knowledge, is not familiar with the specialized terminology of the given field, does not have the possibility to prepare for the specialist translation in the short time, had earlier obliged himself to carry out another translation or he remains in relationship of kinship, affinity or other close ties with the parties to the proceeding conducted pursuant to the act.

§ 5. Inability to carry out a translation. In the event of unexpected circumstances such as the translator’s illness, an accident or a particular personal situation that prevents him from carrying out the job, the sworn translator is obliged to immediately inform the client  of his inability to carry out a translation.

§ 6. The obligation of professional secrecy. A sworn translator is obliged to observe professional secrecy, which is subject to all the information related to the translation.

§ 7. The obligation to improve professional skills. A sworn translator is obliged to continuously improve his translation, language and substantive skills.

§ 8. The obligation to use all available resources. A sworn translator is obliged to use all the available facilities: dictionaries, encyclopedias, textbooks and other sources of knowledge as well as to consult experts in order to ensure the highest quality of a translation.

§ 9. The right of access to support materials. A sworn translator should ask the client for access to materials which can complement the knowledge required to carry out a potential translation.

§ 10. The obligation to help in the event of a random incident. A sworn translator does not refuse to carry out a translation in emergencies, in particular relating to a random incident, sudden illness and the saving of health, life or property.

§ 11. The right to consult a native speaker. A sworn translator should consult with an expert native speaker on the difficulties related to translating into a language other than the mother tongue.

§ 12. The remuneration of a sworn translator.  In determining remuneration a sworn translator should take into account the degree of difficulty, the scope of a translation as well as personal qualifications and professional status.

§ 13. The obligation to share knowledge. A sworn translator is obliged to participate in the process of transferring his experience and knowledge to colleagues and trainees.

§ 14. Solidarity with colleagues. A sworn translator should help his colleagues in need and if possible not refuse such aid, especially when it comes to representation in carrying out an urgent translation if s/he cannot meet the deadline as well as helping with an exceptionally difficult translation.

§ 15. International solidarity. A sworn translator appreciates the experience and views of their colleagues from other countries, identifies with them and turns to them for assistance during their stay in Poland.

 

Pursuant to:

SWORN TRANSLATOR CODE

The resolution of the Supreme Council PT TEPIS of 31^st March 2005 drawn up by the Editorial Board of KTP with the participation of the Ministry of Justice representatives.

More information available on the TEPIS website..