Legal translations are often required for a variety of paperwork, texts and files. Whether it’s property documents, employment contracts, financial documents or identity papers, they all require accurate legal translation.
We’ll explore the various types of documents that may require a legal translation, what it covers and how legal translation differs from regular translation. From translation of a legal text to ensuring document compliance with legal regulations, we will look at how accurate document translation is vital in the field of law.
What is a certified legal translation in UK?
A certified legal translation in the UK refers to a document that has been translated from its original language into a different language and is accompanied by a statement of truth. This statement of truth is signed and stamped by the translator and attests that the translation is a true and accurate representation of the source document or file.
Certified translations are accepted by HM Courts & Tribunals, the Home Office, UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and most public bodies, government departments and educational institutions.
Why is legal translation important?
The importance of legal translation lies in the necessity for the content to be accurately and fully translated without losing any of the meaning or context of the document or file. The repercussions of a mistranslation or omission can be serious in legal or financial terms so it is essential that each translation is precise and complete.
Whether a translation is being used in legal proceedings, as part of an immigration process or in business, the content must be precisely translated in its entirety. Legal financial translations, if done incorrectly, can cost individuals, businesses and even governments a lot of money.
What challenges do translators face in legal translation?
With strong emphasis on the need for exact and complete translations, there are many challenges for a professional legal translator. Among them is the time pressure often associated when documents or audiovisual files are needed in court or as part of a lawsuit. Urgent translation of witness statements, recordings or business contracts put legal translators under a lot of pressure.
Legal documents often contain complex terminology which a professional translator must be familiar with in order to retain the correct meaning and legal status of the document. Therefore legal translators must understand legal jargon. Coupled with time pressures, this makes legal translation projects demanding and challenging.
All Espresso Translations professional translators who undertake this type of work are legal experts as well as accredited linguists.
What do legal translators do?
Legal translators change the original language of any documents and files used for legal purposes into a different language without altering the meaning or context of the content. Such documents could be a marriage certificate for immigration use, a bank statement for financial transactions or a legal instrument such as a will or contract drawn up in a different country.
Almost every facet of life has a legal element or implication so there is always the potential that you may need legal translation when dealing with a language other than your own. For that you will need legal translators, expert in legal matters and fluent in the source and target languages.
Leggi anche: How to become a legal translator?
What skills do legal translators need to have?
Legal translation requires expertise in both law and linguistics. This is exactly what Espresso Translations offers to all of our clients who need this service. Each member of our law translation services is qualified in a specific area of law while also being a fully qualified linguist.
Every one of our translators translates into their native language and is fluent in the source language. This ensures that all translations sound natural, flow well and are error free. With our legal translators’ expert knowledge in both law and language, we provide professional legal translation in a wide range of fields and sectors.
What are The Different Types of Legal Translations?
Just as documents and files come in different types, legal translations cover many types of legal paperwork which may be required for various reasons. The following are just some examples of the type of legal translations available.
Contract Translations
Most contracts are legally binding and as such can be enforced by law. There are many types of contract relating to employment, rental property, construction and various business arrangements.
In order for a contract which is legally binding to remain so once translated, the translation must be complete, accurate and certified according to the requirements of the country in which it is to be implemented. For example, in a civil law country such as France or Spain, a contract would need to have a sworn translation whereas in common law countries like the UK, a certified translation is sufficient.
Intellectual Property Translations
Protecting intellectual property is important in the development of new ideas, designs and products. This aspect of law includes patents, trademarks and copyrights such as all rights reserved. When translating documents related to intellectual property, it is important that professional legal translators with specialist knowledge in this area of law are used. This ensures that the legal validity of the documents in relation to the intellectual property remains intact and that the translation is accurate and complete.
Terms and Conditions
Terms and conditions form part of many legally binding agreements such as an employment contract or purchase of products or services. The type of terms and conditions is dependent on the transaction between the parties and can vary considerably in detail and the applicable contractual terms.
Having this type of legal terminology translated accurately is essential as a mistranslation, mistake or omission could alter the meaning of the text and render the terms and conditions invalid.
Patent Translation
If you want to file your patent in different countries you’ll need to translate your patent documents into multiple languages. This is a highly specialised and complex legal area and you will need a patent expert to carry out the translations. Mistakes could have serious legal or financial consequences for the patent holder.
Our team of translators at Espresso Translations works in more than 150 languages and is familiar with all aspects of translating legal documents in many countries. We also guarantee the hightest level of confidentiality and data security.
What is legal document translation?
Translating legal documents requires legal expertise and linguistic qualifications. This is to ensure that not only is the translation complete and accurate but the legal meaning and context of the document is retained.
Many documents can be translated for a variety of legal uses including a birth certificate for immigration reasons, a power of attorney to appoint someone to act on your behalf or a tenancy agreement for property rental. Legal documents are used to ensure compliance, local or international, to set out conditions of agreement between parties or to outline legal responsibilities.
Different legal systems will have varying requirements for how official documents are translated and certified. The laws, regulations and statues in separate countries will affect how legal writings, documents and files are dealt with and the legal weight given to different types of translation.
Leggi anche: How do you translate legal documents?
What are the differences between legal and literary translation?
There are important differences between legal and literary translation, mostly notable in the purpose, intended audience and the terminology used.
Legal language
Legal language is, to a large extent, specific to the law industry with words and terms not commonly used elsewhere. Many words are in Latin or use obscure phraseology which can render it meaningless to the average person. This gives translating legal documents language another dimension of difficulty.
However, that’s not a problem for professional certified translation services such as Espresso Translations. Our translators understand all the legal parlance and translate documents accurately and fully while retaining their meaning and context. Literary translations, on the other hand, are more creative and don’t rely on specific legal terms. This can make them easier to translate while still conveying the intended meaning.
Legal consequences
The consequences of not properly or fully translating a legal document can be extremely serious within local jurisdiction or in international law, depending on the situation. Whether it is a business contract, a patent filing or a death certificate, an error can have legal and financial repercussions for all parties involved.
An error in a literary translation may be irritating and convey a different meaning than the original language intended but it is rarely going to be legally significant or costly. Making translations of legal documents accurate, complete and faithful to the original should be the highest priority for any legal document translator.
How does translation help the legal system?
Faithful and accurate translation of legal documents is vital to the legal system of any country. It is important that the content of a file, text or document is fully understood if there are legal implications. Whether it’s a letter from a lawyer or an international business contract, the document should be accessible to everyone concerned and this often involves translating the text.
As well as being understood, the translation should be certified so that all parties are assured that it has been carried out by a recognised professional. In some instances, such as with a sworn translation, the translated document will have the same legal status as the original as long as it remains attached to the sworn affidavit.
What are the requirements for legal translations?
The requirements for legal translations varies by country. In the UK, which has a common law system, certified translations are accepted by the authorities. For civil law countries, such as most of continental Europe, sworn translations are the norm.
Signatory countries to the Hague Convention accept legalised translations also called an apostille translation. Many countries also accept notarised translations which have been signed and stamped by a notary public to verify the identity of the translator. While the specifics may vary, for official and legal documents, a professional translation will be required to ensure accuracy and faithfulness to the original document.
What kind of legal documents can be translated?
Any kind of legal document can be translated. The main types of legal translation are:
- Contracts e.g. employment, business, property
- Regulatory documents
- Financial statements
- Identity/immigration documents e.g. birth certificate
- Patent filings/intellectual property
- Court and litigation documents
- Property deeds
- Wills
- Tax documents
Any legal text or document that requires an official translation should be carried out by a professional legal translation service. Espresso Translations has a global network of legal translators and we provide our professional services to law firms, individuals, companies and government services.
Final thoughts
As we use legal services in so many aspects of our lives, from marriage to moving home, employment to filing taxes it is not surprising that there are so many documents that require legal translation. Ensuring that these translations are carried out by a qualified language service provider such as Espresso Translations will guarantee the accuracy of the translated document as well as its legal compliance.
