Finding someone to translate your content into another language is no easy feat, especially when you’re working with sensitive legal documents. When doing business in another country or simply when working with someone who doesn’t speak English as their main language, all relevant legal documents must be translated into their language. Not only is this often required by law, offering legal texts in more than one language is a good courtesy to extend to anyone you work with. When people are able to read contracts in their own language, they will be able to better understand its terms and conditions and be able to enter into a relationship with you built on faith and trust. Just think about it, how would you feel if someone presented you with a contract in French or some other language you didn’t know? I doubt you’d sign it, and I wouldn’t blame you. I wouldn’t sign it either. Legal Translator

If you have a website, offering legal documents like your privacy policy and terms and conditions in a second language is imperative. Even if your site isn’t available in a second language (though it should be), the internet is internationally accessible and therefore all legal documents on your site should be translated by hand and made available in all languages users are likely to see your website, not just in your site’s main language, to avoid costly litigation in the future.

So, in order to work with others in different languages, translating your legal paperwork is a must. But, when it comes to law, though each word may have many synonyms, cognates even, in another language, you need someone who will pick the right word to ensure the meaning stays exactly as it was intended in the original contract. Though this may seem daunting, here are some things to look for when searching for a translator to ensure your legal documents are translated perfectly!:

1. Non-Disclosure Agreements

First and foremost, you must make sure your translator is aware of their ethical duties when handling your privileged content. They must be aware that if any content is shared with anyone besides you and the people you designate, they will face legal consequences. You should always make your translator sign a non-disclosure agreement so they understand the necessity of keeping things confidential. However, be sure to ask your translator questions about their privacy policies to see if they are generally trustworthy. It also helps to ask questions about their prior work. A translator should be able to provide a list of some notable past clients but, be careful if the translator gives out too much information regarding their past work! You don’t want the intimate details of your legal proceedings to be used as an example for their future clients. Legal Document Translation Services

2. Specialization!

When choosing a translation firm, pick one that works with only one language pair and just a limited number of countries. While most countries have generally similar legal codes, each country has its own variations of common law. It is impossible for one person, or even one translation firm, to be well-educated in the judiciary of every country on earth. That is why you shouldn’t do business with a firm claiming to be able to translate a document into any language, anywhere in the world. Oftentimes, your translator will be someone whose only education in the legal codes of your target country came from a quick skim of a textbook. You need to find a translator who will not just translate the document like any other piece of text without understanding what each clause exactly means. A good translator will not only study the document you provide but will also be educated on the laws in both your country and your target country to provide not a literal translation, but a legal one instead. Your translator should have at least some kind of formal law degree in your target country relevant to your field so that they can translate your documents perfectly.