Contract translation is not just a transformation of text into another language. It is a demanding task that requires knowledge of legal terminology, international law and peculiarities of business communication in different countries. A mistake in translation can lead to misunderstandings, financial losses or even legal disputes. How to avoid legal errors when translating contracts?
Why Is Accurate Translation of Contracts So Important?
A contract is a legally binding document that defines obligations of the parties, terms of cooperation and procedure for their fulfillment. Mistranslated wording can change the meaning of the entire clause, which is fraught with the risk of:
• Breach of the contract
• Loss of legal validity of documents
• Litigation
• Financial losses for one or both parties.
• This is especially delicate when it comes to international transactions where the parties use different languages and legal systems.
Main Risks of Poor Translation of Contracts
1) Inconsistency of terminology:
Legal concepts may vary in meaning in different countries. For example, the Russian word for “contract” may be translated as “contract” in some systems, while in others it may be closer to the word “agreement”.
2) Double interpretation of expressions:
Ambiguous phrases or incorrect word order may cause different interpretations by the parties.
3) Ignoring local law:
Translator shall take into account the specificities of the legal system of the target country to ensure that the text meets legal requirements.
4) Errors in dates, amounts, terms and conditions:
Such infelicities may affect deadlines, penalties and other key factors.
Why Should You Trust Contract Translation to Professionals?
Legal translation is not only about language, but also about knowledge of legal systems, contract forms, and cultural specifics. Only skilled professionals will be able to convey the meaning accurately, preserving the legal validity of the document.
JSC TITAN TRANSLATION provides translation services for legal documents, including contracts, agreements, licenses and more. We work with lawyers, use term bases and guarantee accuracy and confidentiality.
