Regulation of the Profession of Sworn (Legal) Translators and Interpreters in Poland and Italy in Light of Directive 2010/64/EU

This paper analyses the regulation of the profession of sworn (legal) translators and interpreters in two Member States of the European Union (EU), namely Poland and Italy, in light of Directive 2010/64/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 October 2010 on the right to interpretation and translation in criminal proceedings. To this end, the Polish Act of 25 November 2004 on the Profession of Sworn Translator is compared with the Italian legislative framework, in which the relevant legislation remains fragmentary due to the fact that Italy has yet to adopt a comprehensive legal act of generally binding nature regulating the profession in question. The analysis aims to assess how these two states addressed certain requirements set out by Directive 2010/64/EU. The paper identifies the shortcomings of the current regulatory framework and offers de lege ferenda conclusions regarding the desirable regulation of the profession in both EU Member States. It is argued that certain aspects of the existing Polish regulation of the profession, most notably the 2024 Act, despite certain deficiencies, could serve as a reference point for Italy, where the lack of harmonization at the national level is among key challenges. The findings could be applicable to some other EU Member States with similar legislative landscapes.