The interpreter was instructedto assist three prosecution witnesses, who speak Polish, for a trial at the Sheriff Court in Wick on 26 June 2006.The Sheriff Clerkinstructed an interpreter to assist the accused – who speaks Polish.Both interpreters attendedfor their respective assignments in this trial.Havingregard to the possibility that a miscarriage of justice could have occurred dueto possible errors in interpreting the witnesses’ evidence, it was appropriatefor the Procurator Fiscal Depute to invite the Sheriff to desert the case forthe time being with the intention to bring the case again at a later date.The Sheriff decided todismiss the case outright, based on a number of factors.Thecircumstances of this case were very unusual and do not often occur.COPFShas asked for a report from the agency which provided the interpreter and is indiscussions with the agency to ensure that such difficulties do not ariseagain.Independently, COPFS iscurrently reviewing the arrangements by which interpreting services areprovided in relation to prosecution in Scotland...