Approach and Services
What principles?
The methodologies and principles governing legal translation are not those that can be used for most other types of translation. More than in other areas, accuracy and attention to detail are crucial: each word must be analysed alone and as part of the sentence and text. Repetitions and the form of the document must be respected, as these can carry legal meaning. For example, it is essential to respect capitalisation patterns which often indicate terms defined as ad hoc.
The tools used also vary. Computer-aided translation (CAT) and the use of thesauri can be useful for certain types of translation, but they are not always suitable for legal translation. Similarly, the few legal bilingual dictionaries available are of poor quality and cannot be relied on.
Above all, however, knowledge of legal terminology, phrasing and syntax is not enough for a good translation if the legal concepts in the text are not also fully understood and conveyed. To give a straightforward example, the French term "SAS" can be translated into English either as simplified joint stock company or limited liability company. Both translations are correct but, as they emphasise different features of the SAS model, they are suitable in different contexts.
For more on our methodology, click here.
What languages?
We translate from and to most European languages (English, French, Spanish, Italian, German, and more), as well as between non-European languages (including Russian, Chinese and Arabic).
What else?
Aside from translation, we also provide related services such as transcription and proofreading services, as well as certification of translations and layout work. We also offer lawyer-translator document sifting and summary services in the context of discovery in international litigation and arbitration, which can significantly reduce translation time and costs.
What projects?
We work mainly in the following areas:
