Translator agency with public sector contracts threatened with employment status legal challenge

Interpreters and translators providing public sector services are reported to be taking legal action against their employer, DA Languages, which works with more than 40 local authorities across the UK.

The translator agency, which has contracts with NHS Trusts, police forces and local councils, is “denying thousands of its workers the rights they are entitled to”, law firm Leigh Day has claimed.

Leigh Day argues that, because of the way the company operates, the interpreters and translators should be classed as workers, given holiday pay and “at least” National Minimum Wage.

If the claims are successful, Leigh Day estimates that a claimant who has worked full-time for two years could be entitled to more than £10,000 in compensation.

Sam Velody, solicitor at Leigh Day, said: “Translators and interpreters working for DA Languages are providing vital services, yet they are not being fairly compensated for the hard work they do.

“We believe that DA Languages interpreters and translators should be classed as workers, rather than self-employed independent contractors, and will fight for them throughout this legal battle to help make this a reality.”

Leigh Day revealed it is acting under a ‘no win no fee’ agreement, which means interpreters and translators do not pay anything unless their claim is successful.

DA Languages also works with several central government bodies including the Department of Work and Pensions and has been appointed to public sector frameworks including that run by Crown Commercial Services (CCS).

A spokesman for DA Languages said: "DA Languages is a responsible business and takes any complaints seriously. We have not yet received any detailed correspondence from Leigh Day or any complaint from any individual linguist explaining any claim against us. Nevertheless, we will obviously carefully consider any such complaint and respond appropriately. As the law explains, contracting parties are free to agree terms, including charges for breach of contract, between themselves. We are committed to providing a first-class service for our customers, especially within hospitals and the justice system, and to working with our valued network of freelance translators and interpreters to do so. We hugely value the essential contribution of these languages experts in the delivery of critical services."

Lottie Winson