Sometimes it can seem that legal documents are written in a language of their own. The terms and jargon used are often unique or have very specific contextual meanings. It is no surprise that legal document translation requires translators who not only understand the source and target languages, but are also familiar with legal terminology in both jurisdictions and have an understanding of the relevant legal systems.
That may sound like a tall order, but when you need to translate legal documents, accuracy is essential. Legal documents can include application letters, birth, marriage and death certificates, business contracts, commercial documents, contracts and agreements, deposition documents, infringement cases, judicial transcripts, statutes and litigation materials, to name just a few.
Many of these documents are complex and are among the most challenging types of content to translate accurately. Another important aspect of legal document translation is confidentiality. Most legal documents contain sensitive information, so it is essential that they are handled by professional translators who respect strict standards of privacy and confidentiality.
When you need your legal documents translated, the most effective approach is to engage a professional translator who specialises in legal translation and holds a recognised professional certification. Before proceeding, it is important to confirm that the individual translator has experience with the specific type of document you need translated and is familiar with the legal terminology used in the destination country.
This applies equally in the other direction. If you are an individual, business or government organisation outside Australia seeking to have legal documents translated into English, you should ensure that the translator you engage is professionally certified and has familiarity with your legal system and its terminology.