Code of Ethics for Translators and Interpreters
By-laws governing the professional conduct of
members of the New Zealand Society of Translators and
Interpreters (inc.)
1 General Conduct
Members of the Society shall, in the exercise of their profession as translators or
interpreters, act at all times in accordance with the high standards of conduct and
decorum appropriate to membership in a professional body, and in accordance with the
aims and purposes, the Constitution, the By-laws and the resolutions of the Society,
and they shall do all they can to uphold the status of the profession.
2 Competence
Members of the Society shall undertake only such translation or interpretation work as
they know to be within their competence.
Where this requirement cannot be met (owing to the non-availability of a translator or
interpreter fully qualified in a given language - such non-availability having been
confirmed following consultation of the Society's official list of translators and
interpreters) such work shall be accepted only following clear notification of the
circumstances to the party or parties concerned.
3 Confidentiality
Members of the Society shall treat any material, knowledge or information they receive
in the course of their work as confidential and not to be communicated to any third
party without the client's agreement.
4 Exploitation of knowledge acquired
Members of the Society shall not take improper advantage, particularly financial
advantage, or enable any third party to take advantage, of any material, knowledge or
information they may receive in the course of their work. This does not apply to
knowledge of a purely linguistic nature which may benefit their own translating or
interpreting capability.
5 Sub-Contracting
Members accepting work from clients may have it carried out by sub-contractors but
this should be done with their clients’ prior knowledge and consent.
Sub-translators shall, in the event of the identity of their principals’ clients becoming
known to them, in no way take advantage of their knowledge of this identity, and they
shall not communicate directly with such clients, except in connection with the work
entrusted to them and with the agreement of their principals.
6 Mutual assistance
Members of the Society shall co-operate with and assist each other and the Society in
every practicable way and shall conduct themselves loyally and fairly towards their
fellow members and towards the Society.
7 Arbitration
Members of the Society shall agree to refer disputes between themselves and other
members to a mutually agreed arbitrator within the Society. Any appeal from the ruling
of the arbitrator shall be to the Council of the Society, whose final decision shall be
binding on all parties concerned.
With regard to disputes between members of the Society and non-members (for
example, clients of a translator or interpreter), such disputes should be dealt with
through normal legal channels, involving, if appropriate, any mutually agreed arbitrator.
8 Advertising
All advertising shall be of a serious and dignified nature and shall contain no reference
whatever to competitors, and nothing that would tend to affect adversely the repute of
the Society or the profession. ❒