How bilingual lawyers are improving access to justice

Criminal barrister Elaine Ward recalls many times during her career where her knowledge of the Samoan language has been valuable.

But there was one occasion where it was vital.

It was 2010, and Ward was part of the defence team for a Samoan man who had been accused of rape. During the trial, a young boy who spoke Samoan as his first language was called as a witness to give evidence through a translator.