Bilingualism in Legal Settings: Challenges and Solutions                                                      

Okwerede Emmanuel

College of Economics, Kampala International University, Uganda

ABSTRACT

Bilingualism plays an important role in legal systems by ensuring equitable access to justice and effective communication for diverse populations. This paper examines the historical evolution of bilingualism in legal contexts, emphasizing its importance in addressing linguistic diversity and fostering fairness in legal proceedings. We examine the roles and challenges faced by legal interpreters, the systemic barriers to implementing bilingual practices, and the complexities of legal language translation. Drawing on case studies from jurisdictions with established bilingual legal systems, we identify best practices and propose solutions, including robust training programs, the development of specialized legal interpretation curricula, and the integration of technology to support interpretation. These strategies aim to enhance bilingualism in legal systems, ensuring procedural fairness and expanding access to justice for linguistic minorities.

Keywords: Bilingualism, Legal interpretation, Court translation, Linguistic diversity, Access to justice, Multilingualism in law.

CITE AS: Okwerede Emmanuel. (2025). Bilingualism in Legal Settings: Challenges and Solutions. RESEARCH INVENTION JOURNAL OF CURRENT ISSUES IN ARTS AND MANAGEMENT 4(1):9-12. https://doi.org/10.59298/RIJCIAM/2025/41912