PORTUGAL

Country:                                            

Official or co-official languages

Portuguese.

Brief description of linguistic diversity

The most commonly spoken foreign language is English, followed by French, German, Spanish, Italian and Chinese.

Foundations:

Current legislative mandates for LIT and certification

The approach to legal translating and interpreting is quite relaxed. There are no specific legal provisions related to LITs and no certification is required. Professional translators and interpreters work alongside non-professionals and amateurs. However, there is a fee schedule for LITs in the código das custas judiciais (Code of Judicial Costs) established by the Ministry of Justice. Interpreters sometimes charge their own rates, based on market value, but the Courts can refuse to accept them.

Responsible parties:

Current accrediting bodies

None

Does register exist?

Courts, notaries, law offices, legal entities, chambers of commerce, embassies and consulates often have their own “tailored” registers, which are unofficial and designed to respond to specific needs. These registers are usually built upon informal connections and relationships, friendship, or professional interest on a non-formal basis.

Who develops certification exams?

Who/How many rate performances?

Collaboration

Test Format:

T & I in one exam?

Screening exam? Describe.

Test type/format

Domains tested

Scoring

Transparency:

Website? Dissemination of info about certification

Requirements to sit exam

Sample questions or practice exam available?

Additional qualifications for certification (experience, training, educational level, nationality)

Cost to candidate/#of locations/ frequency

Feedback on exam performance

Maximum nº of sittings

Post-certification:

Revocation of certification possible?

If so, for what reasons?

Performance monitored? If so, how?