Legal translations are demanding fields that require specialized knowledge and understanding of source and target languages, different cultures, and legal systems. Wondering how to select the best legal translation service provider?
How to choose a legal translation company? Five tips to follow
If you are looking for professional translation services for law firms, pay attention to the elements listed below:
Select experts who specialize in legal translation
Knowledge of source and target languages isn’t enough to provide high quality legal translation services. When consulting translation service providers for law firms, make sure they employ qualified linguists with years of experience in translation legal documents such as depositions, contracts and agreements, warranties, data privacy information, and other relevant materials. Be sure they have a firm grasp of how legal systems work in the countries in which they are translating the target language. In many cases, it is essential that their working knowledge of compliance and regulations be up to date.
Analyze company reviews and assess communication skills
Sometimes marketing-speak found on translation agencies’ official websites doesn’t have a lot in common with the actual level of service clients can expect from the company. Before signing any contracts or commissioning the translation process, read reviews and testimonials if available. It’s always preferable to contact the agency to ask about translation for law firms to see whether they’re familiar with the kinds of documents that typically require translation, and your internal processes and stakeholders within the firm. See what kind of questions they ask and what they’ll need to get started on translations. Make sure their attention to quality aligns with your expectations.
Check translation certifications
Many people tend to overrate their skills and possibilities. When a specific translation agency attracts your attention, make sure that it offers reliable evidence proving its qualifications. It’s worth mentioning that in the case of legal documents, courts and official institutions often accept only certified translations, which means that a person who does them has to pass a special exam to get proper certifications. If you are looking for a trustworthy company, check official associations that unite translation agencies meeting specific standards.
Verify the knowledge of the legal systems
A legal translator is a person who needs to be well-versed in legal systems and regulations effective in the source and target languages. Legalese and jargon are different around the world, and word-for-word translation isn’t always correct. Make sure that the selected legal translation service provider has the knowledge of relevant regulations and laws.
Voice your expectations
It’s not a secret that a quality translation agency should tailor its offer and services to your expectations. Official documents frequently include various elements that don’t need to be translated. Make sure that you find common ground with the agency to avoid unnecessary expenditures.
Translation for law firms – the takeaway
Legal translation is a complex field that requires profound understanding of the source and target languages, their legal systems and jargon. Choosing a quality language service provider guarantees that your requirements will be met.
Read our previous article to discover key differences between adaptation and translation.
