Understanding in Court: The Importance of Language for a Fair Trial

Language is a central component of law and the rule of law—and at the same time, a potential obstacle on the path to a fair trial. As part of the exhibition „One Trial—Four Languages,“ the Forum Recht Foundation invites you to the November 4, 2026, 7:00 p.m., to a discussion on the importance of language and interpretation for the law and the rule of law. Taking the Nuremberg Trials—where simultaneous interpreting was used on a large scale for the first time—as a starting point, the event turns its attention to the present: How is communication achieved in multilingual court proceedings today? What role do interpreting, translation, and legal terminology play—and what does linguistic understanding mean for the perception of law and justice? Experts in legal history, legal linguistics, and the practice of interpreting will discuss historical developments and current challenges.

Guests

Prof. Dr. Michael Zwanzger, Chair in Civil Law, Legal History, and European Legal Harmonization at the University of Leipzig
Prof. Dr. phil. Tinka Reichmann, Chair of Translation Studies at the University of Leipzig, Institute for Applied Linguistics and Translation Studies (IALT); research interests include, among others, legal translation studies, legal translation and interpreting, and legal terminology
Cornelia Bannack, Association „Conference Interpreting—Past, Present, Future, e. V.“

Host: N. N.

Service

Location: Lower Lobby of the New City Hall, Martin-Luther-Ring 4–6, 04109 Leipzig

We recommend visiting the exhibition before the event, as the lobby will be closed afterward. A guided tour of the exhibition will take place at 5:30 p.m.

An event in cooperation with „Conference Interpreting—Past, Present, Future, Inc.“ The exhibition „One Trial—Four Languages“ (This link takes you directly to an external website.) The exhibition will be on display at Leipzig's New City Hall from September 30 through November 26.