The right to free assistance of an interpreter and /or translator based on the example of Finland

This article examines the legal, theoretical and practical issues for participation of an authorised interpreter in criminal proceedings. Based on the analysis of international and national normative sources an investigation is conducted into legal personality of an interpreter, requirements level of his professional competence and its role in the observance and implementation of the rights of the suspect and the accused to a fair trial. An interpreter plays an important role in the enforcement and protection of the rights and freedoms of people who do not speak the language of the proceedings in the criminal case. The article is devoted to the problematic issues that arise under the influence of international law and the European Court of Human Rights on the transformation of the legal mechanism to protect the rights of suspects and defendants who did not know the language of proceedings and the role of a court interpreter.