The Association of Police & Court Interpreters, founded in 1974, is a professional association of independent, freelance interpreters working within the Criminal Justice System. The aims of the Association are to raise standards in the profession and foster good relations between its members and the users of their services. It also provides a forum for mutual support and advice to its members on matters relating to their profession.

A substantial majority of members are registered public service interpreters with the National Register of Public Service Interpreters (NRPSI) or the Council for the Advancement of Communication with Deaf People (CACDP), having been vetted and checked by the authorities. Others are public service interpreters with different qualifications. Many are also members of the Chartered Institute of Linguists (IoL) and/or the Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI). They have extensive knowledge and awareness of different educational and cultural backgrounds and are familiar with legal procedures.

The services of members are used by many branches of the public service, including the Department For Constitutional Affairs, HM Court Service, the Metropolitan Police, the Crown Prosecution Service, H.M. Revenue & Customs, H.M. Prison Service, the Probation Service and the Department of Work and Pensions.

The Association considers it essential that only interpreters with the highest standards of linguistic competence, impartiality and professionalism are used at every stage of the legal process and throughout the public service. Close contact is maintained with the Law Society, the Metropolitan Police Service and other government bodies as mentioned above. The Association also works in close co-operation with the IoL and the ITI.

Members are regulated by a Code of Practice that has been lodged with the Office of Fair Trading and which contains provisions relating to impartiality and confidentiality required of a Public Service Interpreter.