Legal Translation Services

Legal language refers to the specialized terminology and communication style used in the field of law. It is distinct from everyday language due to its precision, technicality, and formal structure.
Take Legal English as an example.
As a subset of legal language, Legal English has its own characteristics that distinguish it from general English usage. Notable characteristics include the frequent use of:
•   Common words with uncommon meanings: Legal English often employs common words that have specific legal meanings distinct from their everyday usage. For example, action may refer to lawsuit, while party means person contracting or litigating, and virtue, as in “by virtue of,” means force or authority.
•   Archaic and Middle English words: Legal English incorporates archaic and Middle English words that have been retained in legal terminology. This usage can be traced back to historical legal traditions and provides continuity in the language. Examples include aforesaid, forthwith, here-words such as hereafter, herein, hereof; and there-words such as thereabout, thereafter, and thereat.
•   Latin words and phrases: Latin has long been the lingua franca of the legal profession, and its influence is evident in legal English. Latin terms and phrases are used for precision and brevity, and they often have established legal meanings. For example, affidavit, alias, alibi, and bona fide has become widely accepted as an integral part of legal English.
•   Formal expressions: Legal English employs a variety of techniques to create a formal and ceremonial quality in its language. This is achieved through the frequent use of polite expressions from earlier times (approach the bench instead of come here) and euphemisms (the deceased and decedent).
•   Circumlocutions: Circumlocution, a fundamental feature of legal language, refers to the practice of “talking around” a topic. It involves using a larger number of words than necessary to express an idea that could be conveyed more concisely. Examples include at a later date instead of later, during such time as instead of while, in the event that instead of if, and in close proximity to instead of near.
•   Impersonal style: Lawyers, depending on the party they represent, often utilize linguistic features that de-emphasize the agent’s identity while highlighting the action, a strategic choice that can impede comprehension. This highly impersonal style of writing is characterized by the frequent use of passive voice and peculiar pronoun usage. Passive voice is deeply rooted in legal language and tends to be overused in various legal documents.
ㅤㅤThe omission of personal pronouns is another distinctive feature, motivated by judges’ efforts to achieve maximum objectivity. In written wills, the second-person singular is omitted, and the first-person singular is used instead. The second person singular is also omitted when there are no direct orders or warnings, or when it is deemed that legal rules should be impersonal.
ㅤㅤConsequently, the predominant use of the third person singular and plural is observed. Expressions like “everybody,” “everyone,” and “every person” indicate that a provision applies universally, while “no one” and “nobody” are employed in prohibitions. The intention is to create the impression of impartiality in the law, although such generalizations can be vague.
ㅤㅤSuch unique characteristics of the legal language make legal translation a challenging task. Translators must navigate complex sentence structures, interpret multiple meanings, adapt archaic elements, and accurately convey legal concepts. The unique characteristics of legal language require translators to possess expertise in both legal and linguistic domains, and ideally, a deep understanding of the legal systems involved.

ㅤㅤMistranslations in contracts and legal documents
ㅤㅤA simple mistake or mistranslation in a legal document can be costly. In contracts, a mistranslated or missing word can delay the finalization of agreements or even render them invalid, leading to financial losses and the potential for lawsuits. For instance, in a real estate transaction, a mistranslation of property specifications can result in a collapsed deal, causing financial setbacks for both the buyer and seller. Similarly, in an immigration application, a mistranslation of crucial information can lead to rejection, jeopardizing an individual’s ability to stay in a country and potentially disrupting their career or personal life.
ㅤㅤMistranslations in Court
ㅤㅤMistranslations in court proceedings, such as translated evidence or witness testimonies, can significantly impact trial outcomes. A mistranslation can be considered an evidentiary error, infringing on a party’s constitutional rights and potentially leading to mistrials or appeals.
ㅤㅤIn 2020, Leyla Güven, a prominent Kurdish politician, was sentenced to 22 years in prison on terror charges by a Turkish court. After being detained in 2018, she was released in 2019 under judicial control following an 80-day hunger strike.
During the second hearing of her court case on February 9, 2022, Güven raised concerns about the accuracy of the translation in the audio records of her speeches made in Kurdish. She claimed that the translations were full of errors. ㅤRecognizing the gravity of this issue, the judge granted her request for additional time to prepare her defense. The hearing was rescheduled for April 11, 2022, where the quality of the translated evidence would certainly play a crucial role in determining Güven’s future.
ㅤㅤLegal rights violations
ㅤㅤUsing unreliable legal translations can lead to violations of a suspect’s rights.
ㅤㅤIn February 2020, Corporal Mark Conrad conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle driven by Ramirez Mendoza in Pennsylvania State. During the stop, Conrad attempted to obtain consent to search the suspicious car. Instead of using an appropriate translation resource, Conrad relied on Google Translate on his phone. However, a video recording of the interaction, later reviewed in court, revealed that Google Translate mistranslated Conrad’s question, turning it into a statement.
ㅤㅤThis mistranslation became significant evidence in the case, as it created the impression of coercion and invalidated the voluntary consent given by Ramirez Mendoza. In such situations, law enforcement officers should use preprinted and vetted translations of authorized forms to ensure accurate communication and avoid violating suspects’ rights. Failing to use a credible translation source to obtain consent can lead to violations of a suspect’s rights, even if the suspect was aware of the intended action.
ㅤㅤPublic embarrassment and policy changes
ㅤㅤTranslation errors in high-profile documents can lead to public embarrassment and policy repercussions. In 2011, South Korea faced significant public embarrassment due to a multitude of translation errors in its free trade agreement. The second version of the agreement, which was presented to the public, contained a staggering 207 new translation mistakes. This incident followed an earlier review that also revealed numerous errors, leading the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade to publicly apologize for the translation failures.
ㅤㅤThe consequences of these translation errors were far-reaching and had serious implications. First and foremost, the withdrawal of the revised translation resulted in a failure to meet the established treaty deadlines. This delay not only undermined the progress of the agreement but also created uncertainty and disrupted trade relations between South Korea and its trade partners.
ㅤㅤAdditionally, the translation errors had adverse effects on the economy and employment. The setback caused by the flawed translations led to job losses and hindered business opportunities, as the inaccurate translations affected the clarity and enforceability of the trade agreement. This, in turn, impacted companies relying on the agreement and potentially limited their growth and international expansion plans.
ㅤㅤMoreover, the incident prompted changes in government policies. The translation errors highlighted the need for improved translation practices and quality control within the government. As a result, the government was compelled to reevaluate its translation processes, implement stricter measures, and enhance the overall accuracy and reliability of translations in important official documents.
ㅤㅤTranslation errors in the legal field can have severe and far-reaching consequences. Accurate and reliable legal translation is essential to ensure fairness, protect legal rights, maintain diplomatic relationships, and uphold the integrity of legal systems. Diligent attention to detail, professional expertise, and the use of trusted translation partners are critical to avoiding the potential pitfalls of translation errors in legal contexts.

ㅤㅤSafeguarding personal data
ㅤㅤLegal documents may contain personally identifiable information (PII), such as names, addresses, financial records, and other sensitive data. Translators must handle this information with the utmost care to prevent unauthorized access, breaches, or misuse. Respecting privacy laws and regulations, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), is crucial in ensuring that personal data remains confidential during the translation process.
ㅤㅤProtecting client-attorney privilege
ㅤㅤLegal documents often contain privileged and confidential information that is shared between attorneys and their clients. Legal translators must adhere to strict confidentiality protocols to maintain the privacy of this information. Preserving client-attorney privilege ensures that sensitive details remain secure and that clients can trust that their discussions and legal matters are kept confidential.
ㅤㅤPreserving legal proceedings
ㅤㅤAccuracy and confidentiality in legal translation are essential to upholding the integrity of legal proceedings. Translators working on court documents, witness statements, or evidence must maintain the privacy of sensitive information to prevent bias, undue influence, or tampering. Failure to uphold confidentiality can undermine the fairness and credibility of legal proceedings.
ㅤㅤAll things considered, confidentiality and privacy are vital factors in legal translation. Choosing a translation agency that prioritizes secured platforms, safety measures, and transparency is essential to protect sensitive information, comply with legal requirements, maintain professional standards, establish trust, and mitigate potential legal liabilities.