French Legal Translation of Issue: question, émission or descendance?

⚠️ A misleading word with many faces
The term issue is a false friend with multiple uses. It cannot automatically be translated as “issue” in French, except in very specific cases (such as succession law). Depending on the context, it may mean:

• question or problème

• litige

• émission or publication

• descendance

❓ Issue = question or problème

In everyday language or debates, issue refers to a matter to be addressed, an important topic, or a problem to be solved.

Examples:

• We must focus on the most urgent issues
  → Nous devons nous concentrer sur les questions les plus urgentes

• This is a sensitive issue
  → C’est une question sensible

⚖️ In law: litige or point in dispute

In legal contexts, issue may refer to the points in dispute, or even the case itself.

Examples:

• The points at issue
  → Les points en litige ou les questions litigieuses

• To join issue
  → Engager le débat sur un point litigieux

📰 In publishing or finance: numéro or émission

• In publishing, issue means an edition or release:

  • The June issue of the magazine → Le numéro de juin du magazine

• In finance, issue refers to an issuance:

  • Issue of securities → Émission de valeurs mobilières

👨‍👩‍👦 In succession law: descendance

In property or inheritance law (common law), issue refers to a person’s descendants.

Example:

• He died without issue
  → Il est décédé sans descendance

🔁 The verb to issue: émettre, délivrer, prononcer

The verb to issue has several translations in French depending on the context:

✅ In summary

📌 TransLex’s Advice

Before translating issue, ask yourself three questions:

1. Is it a matter to address, a litige, or a document issuance?

2. Are we in an editorial, legal, inheritance, or financial context?

3. Is the word being used as a noun or a verb?

👉 Issue may have up to 5 different French translations depending on context.
👉 A mistranslation can completely distort the legal or financial meaning of a text.