If you do not understand Norwegian, it may be necessary to use an interpreter to enable you to explain yourself and get the information you need in contact with public authorities. Civil servants are responsible for obtaining adequate information from the clients/users of the service in order to be able to make a decision in a case. Civil servants also have a duty to provide you with necessary information about the service and the decisions that have been made.
The authorities are responsible for organising and paying for interpreting services. You must therefore inform the agency with which you are meeting whether you need to use an interpreter. Organising an interpreter may take some time. If possible, you should inform the agency in question well in advance that you need to use an interpreter. State the interpretation language you require. If you are unable to attend at the scheduled time for which the interpreter has been booked, it is important to give notice of this so that the interpreting service can be cancelled.
Interpreters are bound by the principle of confidentiality. This means that the interpreter cannot communicate any of the information he/she gains knowledge of in connection with interpreting.
