Legal translation is a service that requires a great deal of knowledge, experience and attention to detail. Because it employs many expressions and concepts derived from the law and, furthermore, from the legal vocabulary of each country and language, legal translation professionals need to be highly specialized in the legal field.
In this article, Global Languages will introduce you to what a legal translation is and explain whether every legal translation needs to be certified or sworn.
What are the characteristics of a legal translation?
Legal translation is different from a conventional translation because it needs to use legal terminology in a precise manner. A small mistake regarding the translation of one word could cause serious consequences and even financial losses. Therefore, it is essential to hire a legal translation service from a company that offers experienced professionals specialized in this type of translation.
Legal translation is usually employed for documents that will be used in legal proceedings and serve as the basis for legal decisions. The most common documents are:
• Certificates
• Declarations
• Injunctions
• Legislation
• Disputes
• Defense
• Litigation
• Powers of attorney
• Deeds
• Petitions
• Rulings
• Judgments
Are legal translation and certified translation the same thing?
No. This is because certified or sworn translation can happen in other areas, not only in the legal field. Legal translation is related to the translation of texts exclusive to the area of law, and may or may not be sworn. Certified translation, on the other hand, can be used for any type of text in any field, as long as it is done by a “public translator and commercial interpreter”, who has passed a public examination and is authorized to perform this type of translation.
So, does every legal translation need to be certified?
No. There is no rule that legal translations must be certified as well. However, many countries (such as Brazil) require legal translations to be sworn to have legal validity in court proceedings. Therefore, when it comes legal translation, it is essential to know whether it also needs to be certified.
At Global Languages, you can count on a highly qualified team to perform your legal translations, whether sworn or not. Contact us and request a quotation.
