Using the Code of Professional Conduct

Introduction

The Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI) is a UK-based membership association providing a professional home for practising translators, interpreters and all those involved in supplying language services. Its membership includes both individual members and corporate members (i.e. companies and organisations).

The Code of Professional Conduct (the ‘Code’) sets standards for members. Compliance with the Code is a fundamental requirement of continued membership of ITI. Members should be guided by the spirit as well as the precise and express terms of the Code.

ITI will amend and update the Code and related policies from time to time. Members are responsible for keeping themselves up to date and must observe such amendments and updates as they come into effect.

Using the Code to promote the profession

The Code serves a dual purpose. For clients, it provides clear expectations about the professional standards they can expect when working with ITI members. For members, it offers both a framework for ethical practice and a mark of professional distinction.

When professionals join ITI, they make a commitment to uphold these standards in all their work. This commitment is central to how we champion and promote the translation and interpreting profession.

Matters not covered by the Code

The Code does not seek to duplicate legal obligations as members are expected to comply with all relevant legal obligations at all times.

ITI’s professional conduct procedures only deal with professional conduct. A complaint or dispute concerning a member’s contractual performance is different from a complaint about their professional conduct or competence and should be resolved through discussion or an independent dispute resolution process.

Legal disputes cannot be settled through ITI’s procedures for dealing with a breach of the Code of Professional Conduct. All such legal disputes must be dealt with by a competent authority before concerns about professional competence may be considered by the Professional Conduct Committee.

Members’ conduct outside the practice of translation and interpreting may not fall within the remit of the Code, unless such conduct generally offends against the honour, integrity and/or reputation of the profession of ITI membership.

Dealing with complaints

A breach of the Code that cannot be resolved satisfactorily by the member(s) acting in good faith can be brought to ITI’s attention through the procedure for dealing with a breach of the Code of Professional Conduct and will be reviewed by the Professional Conduct Committee.

Any member found to be in breach of the Code may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including revocation of membership, by the Institute.