Translating a legal document can take a lot of work. The translation can have severe consequences if you don’t get it right. This is why it’s recommended not to do translations alone but hire a professional translation company to handle this complicated task. In this article, we will explore six reasons why you shouldn’t do translations by yourself.
1. Legal Documents Must Adhere to Specialized Formats
All legal documents must adhere to a unique format that has been kept the same for more than ten years. The designs are established by law to ensure that all parties have the same understanding of the document. They also require that specific information be stated in a particular format and order, with no deviations. These formats include the table of contents, the page headings, and even the design for citing cases. If you stray from these formats, a judge may assume that you didn’t show due diligence in doing a translation, and your case could suffer. At this point, it is critical to notify customers that minor details matter regarding legal translations.
2. Inaccurate Translations Can Inflict Severe Damage on Your Company
They prevent you from getting new business and could cause a loss of reputation and even potential litigation. As a business, you must understand that you need to maintain your reputation at all costs. This means that you cannot put it in jeopardy. Don’t put your business at risk by transmitting inaccurate translations to a customer. These translations could haunt you and negatively affect your business’s growth. Suppose someone raises concerns about the translation or is not satisfied with it. In that case, they may pursue legal action against your company due to your inattentiveness to detail.
3. Translating Specific Information is a Specialized Practice
Only some people can translate specific information into a foreign language, the most common being certified court interpreters and translators. The best thing to do is to hire a professional translation service that employs certified experts to handle all types of translation work. Specialists know the rules about which information must be translated in a certain way and how it should be translated. Specialists have training that allows them to understand the nuances of language so that their translations are accurate and efficient. They also have experience working with other document writers, attorneys, and Trademark Agents.
4. Specialists Often Know Shortcuts That Can Save You Time and Money
Whether through tools or longer hours, specialists know how to make the process go faster and more smoothly without sacrificing accuracy. Most importantly, they have been trained to obtain comprehensive documents on time, saving you money.
5. Legal Translations Require a Certificate of Accuracy
A specialized translation company issues this kind of certificate to confirm the accuracy of their work. A Specialist will provide their client with this certificate, either with the original translation or as a standalone document. A copy of this certificate can help you dispute any translation errors that your customer claims were made in your translation.
6. Translation Mistakes Only Sometimes Stay After a Translation
Once a translation is completed, it cannot be altered or corrected. If you change the wording or send the document back to be revised, there will be a completely different document waiting for you when you get it back, and chances are it will not match the original your customer received. There are no do-overs concerning translations of a legal document. If you make a mistake, rectifying the situation will be challenging.
