Whether they are closing a huge business deal across borders or working on a smaller transaction at their main office, businesses require legal translation services on a regular basis. Because of the specialized and detailed nature of legal documents, there is no room for errors. In fact, one mistake can have dire consequences for the business and other parties involved. As such, legal translation requires the expertise that can only come from partnering with a legal translation company.

Here are the top five reasons that legal translations require professional legal document translation services:

Legal Translation Errors are Costly

One of the most important reasons to contract with a legal translation agency is the financial calamity that a mistake can cause. Simply put, errors in legal documents are expensive to overcome. They can result in hefty fines, cause expensive delays in the proceedings, or result in costly court challenges. Even a small incorrectly translated detail can change the entire meaning of a document, causing it to be voided.

However, the cost of such a mistake is more than financial. It can mean a damaged reputation, loss of client confidence, fewer business opportunities, legal ramifications, or even jail time.

Subject Matter Expertise is Essential

Anyone who has ever read a legal document knows that the legal field has its own specialized terminology that can be difficult to comprehend. While a translator might be skilled in the source and target languages, they might not be well versed in legal jargon and concepts. As a result, key concepts could easily be omitted or not accurately relayed during the translation process.

Furthermore, each area of the legal field uses specific terms, meaning that the translator would need to be even more specialized. As an example, patent applications are highly detailed and have to satisfy the requirements of all of the countries involved. To ensure that the process goes smoothly, a business applying for the patent should contract with a legal translation services firm that specializes in patent law.

Legal Requirements are Different in Other Countries

When working on a legal document translation, it is critical to be aware that each country involved has its own legal system with distinctive legal requirements. Additionally, separate regions in a country could have their own unique set of legal constraints. Therefore, legal proceedings and transactions can be quite different from one place to another. To make certain that all standards are met, contract with a legal translation company that has experts in international law who can sort through all of the regulations.

Localizing Documents is Vital

While a precise translation from one language to another is essential, localizing concepts and ideas is also critical. As part of the localization process, the translator would need to make certain that all words are culturally sensitive, as well as take into consideration the region’s traditions and nuances. A translation company that hires native speakers of the language will ensure that the final documentation is culturally appropriate.

In addition, since countless words have more than one meaning, the translator needs to be able to determine the correct use of a word or phrase, as well as select the one that best relays the concept. Native speakers would also know the best word choices to include in the legal documentation.

Certificates of Accuracy Are Often Required

When legal documents need to be translated, many courts, governments, and companies will require certificates of accuracy in order to move forward with proceedings. Providing such a certificate benefits all parties involved so that everyone can feel confident that there are no discrepancies between the original and translated documents. Some of the documents that need certification include business contracts, court transcriptions, and adoption papers, along with marriage, death, or birth certificates.

With legal transactions being a necessary part of daily business activities, legal document translation decisions should be carefully considered. When seeking help with legal translations, partnering with a professional translation services company can ensure that the translation is precise and culturally acceptable, as well as meets all legal requirements.

Summary

Because of the specialized and detailed nature of legal documents, legal translation requires the expertise that can only come from partnering with a translation company. Read about the top five ways reasons that legal translations require legal document translation services.