Of all the specialisms in language translation, there can be no doubt that the translation of legal documentation is the most exacting. Certainly, medical translations can have life-or-death consequences if incorrectly executed, and such horrific results are unlikely in the case of most legal documentation: but medicine, like most science-based disciplines, has an internationally recognizable lexicon which is readily understandable if transliterated. This is not the case with law.
In many ways, the translation of legal documentation should be approached as an exercise in extremely accurate nativization. This is because the translator must be aware of, and responsive to, the legal code under which the documentation might be tested at law. As an example, it is normal practice for contract documentation to state explicitly under what territorial jurisdiction the contract shall be governed. The legal code of the judicial territory can have a very significant impact upon the precise meaning of certain words or phrases which may be found in the text of the contract. If the translator is ignorant of this, the purpose of the document may be completely defeated.
Arguably this problem is at its height in situations where the translation relates to commercial or civil law between young nations like Ukraine, with a recently developed and evolving written legal codex, and the U.K. There, the law has been evolving for almost 900 years. Even the U.S.A. and Canada present significant challenges, because their legal codes take their origin in those of the U.K. Common law, precedent, case-law and local custom & practice all contribute to these legal systems. This demands a high degree of specificity in legal documentation, in order to ensure that the precise intention is delivered.
The translator is also faced with the problem of “cliché”. In this context we do not mean over-used phrases: here, we refer to phrases which carry a very specific legal meaning and potentially could bind parties to onerous courses of action. There are many examples of such clichés. Far too many to list here, or to pick out specific examples. Perhaps the greatest danger they represent is that of the enthusiastic but ill-informed translator who might use such a phrase “because it looks like legal language”.
At Agenda Translations Agency, our focus is not on whether your legal documentation “looks like legal language”. Our focus is entirely upon whether your documentation has the legal validity you need, and whether it states your position clearly. Regardless of the language pair, your legal position is clear, understandable and set out in a locally appropriate form.
That is why we work closely with qualified legal advisors, and with experienced practitioners in Ukrainian, Russian, UK and EU law. That is why our legal translators are carefully selected specialists in their field. That is why we work with a global network of translators, with in-country experience and knowledge. It is why we would never entrust your legal translation to an inexperienced generalist.
It is important to note that many legal documents for execution in Ukraine require to be notarized or apostillized. These are services which can be arranged via Agenda Translations Agency, on request.
Providing the very best legal translation service for you – that’s our Agenda!