AUSIT Webinar | 20260416 How to build a Civil Law glossary for your working language (INDIVIDUAL)

Civil law assignments are widespread across courts and tribunals. There is also a growing private client market where non-English-speaking parties in commercial and family law matters seek out and pay for translators and interpreters. Yet many colleagues still shy away—not due to lack of skill, but because the terminology is unfamiliar and the Australian legal system may differ from those they know. This workshop addresses that. Rather than working through terms from A to Z, you will learn to organise Australian civil law concepts into categories, building a practical, big-picture understanding. By the end, you will have a structured foundation and tools to create a glossary in your working language, supporting non-English-speaking litigants as they instruct lawyers, attend mediation, and appear before courts and tribunals. The workshop covers key areas such as contracts, torts, immigration, family, property, and wills and estates. It also outlines civil procedure from commencement to judgment, focusing on the role of translators and interpreters. Together, these provide both substantive and procedural understanding. Ideal for translators and interpreters seeking confidence in court and tribunal work, and those looking to attract private clients. By participating, you will receive: A civil law glossary template A list of free resources Access to the webinar recording Increased confidence in civil law settings Presenter – Carl Gene Fordham NAATI-certified interpreter and translator specialising in court interpreting and forensic translation. He teaches at the University of Queensland and is the current National President of AUSIT. Working languages: Chinese (Mandarin) and English.