Does a non english speaker have a right to have legal docs translated?

[Shoemakerelves]

Wondering if anyone can help me. A friend of mine has had some letters sent to him by his solicitor but as he doesn't speak much English and I don't speak much of his language, I would like them to be translated for him.

I don't have a lot of spare cash. Is there any way I can insist on them being translated? Does he not have a legal right to receive documents he can actually understand?

Who has drawn the documents up - the solicitor? Did he select the solicitor or was one assigned?

What are the documents about? And what language is it? Maybe someone speaks it!

The Solicitor was assigned to him (legal aid).

He does have access to a translator in court but any letters sent to him afterwards are in English.

I don't wish to go into too many details out of respect for his anonymity. I just wondered whether he had an automatic right to ask for a translation. The problem is I try to explain the content but he won't accept what I am saying.

His solicitors need to make sure that he understands the advice that he's being given. If they need to translate it, so be it. If he's not got legal aid (and let's face it, who does these days?) it will be added to his bill.

Sorry - just seen he has LA. LA should cover the cost of translation. However any court documents must be in English. It's up to his side to do the translations.

Ok his solicitor doesn't seem to want to get it translated. I did ask....difficult because as a friend not a client I can't really push it.
I suppose I can ask a friend of his to translate but I thought having an officially translated document would be safer