Types of Legal Translation: A Detailed Guide

Few document services reach stakes as significant as legal translation does. As a field that necessarily hyper-focuses on specific word choice, meanings, precedents, and more, dotting i’s and crossing t’s rarely matters as much. 

And while it might seem like all legal translations are similar, this space and its subfields are quite varied. There are many types of legal translation, each of which is required for different documents and needs. So, if you’re seeking legal translation services, it’s important to understand them, what they’re best used for, and how to find appropriate translation services. 

When working with any granular legal matter, consider hiring the help of a professional translator who can help navigate the intricate framework of the legal system. Their ability to provide the correct legal interpretation and technical translation of a legal text can ensure the accuracy of official documents.

Here’s everything you need to know about the types of legal translation, including how to choose a legal translation service provider. 

Introduction to Legal Translation

Simply put, legal document translation involves the translation of documents or materials used for legal purposes, or which are related to the field of law. So, why is legal translation important? Legal translation can differ from a standard translation for several reasons:

• Maintaining accuracy – Accuracy is critical for legal translations. Even a minor mistranslation can potentially carry significant consequences.

• Navigating legal systems – Legal translations go beyond word-for-word replacement and require an understanding of legal frameworks in both the source and target languages. Keep in mind, legal concepts can differ vastly between countries.

• Considering terminology – Legal documents are full of specialized terminology, which is specific to the legal field. Legal translations need to take these terms (and their equivalents in the different languages) into account.

• Regarding cultural nuances – Legal translations must be sensitive to cultural nuances and differences.

• Complying with certification: In some cases, legal document translations might need to be certified. 

Because of the highly specialized nature of legal translations, they’re often executed by dedicated service providers that can better handle matching projects to the best translators, independently validating those translations, and provide quicker turnarounds.

Overview of Legal Translation Types

Legal translation is not a one-size-fits-all process, but some of the most commonly translated documents include the following.

Contract Translation

Contract translations are often used in business dealings. These might include employment contracts, purchase agreements, and non-disclosure agreements, for example. These documents often require meticulous translations to ensure a clear understanding of obligations, warranties, and clauses.

Litigation Documents Translation

Legal situations can require a wide array of documents, including complaints, motions, discovery requests, and witness statements. Litigation documents must be translated with a keen understanding of legal terminology, courtroom procedures, and jurisdiction specifications.

Patent and Trademark Filings Translation

The global marketplace necessitates the protection of intellectual property across borders and in different languages. Translating documents related to patent and trademark filings is often necessary, requiring technical expertise, an understanding of IP law, and specialized terminology in the target language. 

Specialized Areas within Legal Translation

Specialized types of legal translation demand an even more specific skillset and knowledge base to execute correctly. Some subfields of legal document translation include financial documents, immigration, and international regulatory compliance.

Financial Documents Translation

Financial document translation demands a meticulous approach, which includes a strong understanding of financial instruments, accounting practices, and relevant regulations across jurisdictions. This might include the translation of prospectuses, financial statements, or other financial documents, which might be used by investors, editors, and other stakeholders. 

Immigration Documents Translation

For individuals navigating the complexities of immigration, accurate document translation is vital. Immigration document translations ensure that documents such as birth certificates, marriage licenses, and diplomas are translated accurately, adhere to government requirements, and keep cultural sensitivities in mind.

Immigration courts in the United States see millions of cases per year, and proper document translation is often necessary for ensuring a case is successful.¹

International Regulatory Compliance

Entering a foreign market can prove to be one of a business’s biggest (and most financially demanding) challenges. Differences in quality, health, safety, power consumption, environmental, and other standards significantly complicate this process.

And if the market you’re entering speaks another language, you’ll need some knowledgeable help—first to interpret the regulatory requirements, and then to ensure all of your documents state and demonstrate that you’ve met those requirements. 

A professional translator will properly understand and articulate the nuances of legal language, improving the efficiency of a law firm’s court proceedings. 

The Role of Cultural and Legal Systems in Translation

Accurate legal translation goes beyond simply translating documents word-for-word. It also requires the understanding and application of cultural nuances and different legal systems to ensure the translated document preserves the intended meaning and legal implications.

When it comes to cultural nuances, legal concepts are often deeply rooted in a country’s cultural norms, legal requirements, and even historical context. A legal term in one language might not have a direct equivalent in another, and a literal translation might not be appropriate (in some cases, it could even introduce unintended consequences).

Skilled legal translators and qualified legal translation services understand cultural nuances and requirements, and they work to ensure documents retain their initial intent. Their expertise protects the integrity of official documents and facilitates clear communication within the legal system.

Likewise, different countries have distinct legal frameworks with unique concepts and procedures. A legal translation service must not only understand the legal terminology of both languages but also navigate the underlying legal systems. This ensures that a legal document translation avoids discrepancies and adheres to the legal principles of the target jurisdiction.

Selecting a Legal Translation Service

As we previously touched on, legal translations are often performed by legal translation service providers. There are many options in this space: the translation services market size is projected to grow at a CAGR of 2.07% from 2021 to 2028, reaching a value of more than $46 billion.²

Due to the growing volume of services in this space, it’s important to pick one that can best meet your needs while working within your budget and timeline. 

So, when selecting a legal translation service provider, what are some things you should keep in mind?

Firstly, consider your basic requirements, and remember that not all translation services are created equal. When selecting a service, determine if your potential partner has a proven track record of translating legal documents and not just general translation services.

Also, make sure to assess:

• Their experience with your type of documents (e.g., contracts, financials)
• If they staff experts in the languages you require
• Whether they certify the translations (as needed)
• The price and turnaround time

Expertise and Certification Requirements

For certain legal documents, specific expertise and certification may be required. When a document requires a certified translation, a 100% accurate translation is necessary. 

In the US, certified translations are accompanied by a signed statement attesting to the completeness and accuracy of the work. The statement includes the translator’s information, qualifications, and document identification.³

However, one complication with this system can be when translations are self-attested rather than by another translator. If you’ve ever tried to proofread your own work or take on the role of your own fitness coach, you might see the issue. Regardless of how thorough you are, you might overlook things when reviewing your own work.

Therefore, the safest bet is to work with service providers that will ensure another translator independently assesses and validates the results.

Service providers are also better equipped to match you with the legal specialty you require. Just as you wouldn’t visit an optometrist for your ear, nose, and throat, you want to ensure legal translators bring the right expertise. 

AI in Legal Translation

There’s a growing role of artificial intelligence (AI) in legal document translation, and this technology is proving to be extremely useful. The power of machine translation is being used to produce high-quality, accurate translations in less time and at a fraction of the cost associated with traditional methods. Today’s AI and machine learning tools produce translations that are about 90% accurate in a matter of minutes or hours (depending on the document size).

There are different applications for AI-assisted translations and human translations. AI translations are typically best for high-volume translations, for example, or for very large documents. On the other hand, human translations are appropriate when a document requires 100%, certified accuracy. Ensure that the legal translation service you select offers the method of translation that’s best for your needs. If AI is utilized, remember the importance of human oversight to ensure the accuracy of information.

Ensuring Legal Accuracy and Compliance

In today’s globalized legal landscape, legal document translation plays a vital role in facilitating and supporting legal processes. By entrusting your legal document translation to qualified professionals, you ensure:

• Accuracy and precision – Meticulous attention to detail guarantees every term, clause, and nuance is conveyed flawlessly in the translated document.

• Cultural sensitivity – Skilled legal translators bridge cultural and linguistic divides, ensuring the translated document retains its integrity within the target legal and cultural context.

• Compliance with legal systems – Understanding the intricacies of both the source and target legal frameworks ensures the translated document aligns with the intended purpose and adheres to relevant regulations and requirements. 

By selecting a trusted legal document translation service, you gain peace of mind knowing your documents are in the hands of experts who prioritize accuracy, linguistic and cultural sensitivity, and legal compliance. 

Trust U.S. Legal Support’s Translation Services

If you’re looking for fast, accurate, and affordable legal translation services, U.S. Legal Support is here to help. Our team of professional document translators can translate your legal documents accurately and quickly. We offer high-quality translation services for law firms, corporations, insurance carriers, government entities, educational institutions, and more.

We also offer both certified and non-certified document translations and can offer machine translation services to expedite document translations. 

Contact us today to find out more.

Sources:

1. TRAC Immigration. Immigration Court Quick Facts. https://trac.syr.edu/immigration/quickfacts/eoir.html
2. Verified Market Research. Global Translation Services Market Size By Type. https://www.verifiedmarketresearch.com/product/global-translation-services-market-size-and-forecast/ 
3. ATA. What is a Certified Translation? https://www.atanet.org/client-assistance/what-is-a-certified-translation/