Examination of witness who does not understand the English language · as in force on May 31, 2026
Rule 3114. Examination of witness who does not understand the English language. If the witness to be examined does not understand the English language, the examining party must, at his own expense, provide a translation of all questions and answers. Where the court settles questions, it may settle them in the foreign language and in English. It may use the services of one or more experts whose compensation shall be paid by the party seeking the examination and may be taxed as a disbursement.
When a deposition witness does not understand English, the examining party must pay to translate every question and answer. The court may settle questions in both languages and use experts; the party seeking the examination pays the experts, although that cost may be taxed as a disbursement. ★
Marked in the text: penalties, time limits, sums of money. Editorial emphasis added by this edition; it does not appear in the statute as enacted.
This provision appears in Volume 1 — The Court Clerk in Plain English; Volume 2 — The Court Clerk: Civil Practice Law and Rules; Volume 1 — Your Career: Civil Practice in Plain English.