Translation For Lawyers

Translation-related and foreign language interpretation issues often come up in the courtrooms, as well as when conducting business in the EU. According to the EU case C-161/06 Skoma-Lux, the Court of Justice held that the obligations contained in the European Commission's legislation that was not published in the Official Journal using the language of the Member State in which enforcement is sought cannot be enforced against that State. In this particular case, a specific Article in the Act of Accession for the Czech Republic was not published in Czech. The reason for this ruling - which is applicable to both legal and natural persons in a Member State - is to allow the party to familiarize itself with the law in a language they can understand. According to the court, this is only possible with the act being translated into the language of all parties it applies to.

Continue reading "The EU Law Translations and Foreign Language Interpreting/ Translation in the EU" »

We've blogged about professional multi-language translation services and data privacy laws in the EU from the employer's perspective, as well as the role of document translation in the cases involving workplace bullying in multi-lingual setting.  EU data protection legislation has posed specific challenges to U.S. employers who conduct business in Europe.  And professional translation and interpreting services can help lessen the U.S. employer's burden.

 

Continue reading "International Multi-Language Translation for U.S. Employers, Safe Harbor Privacy Framework, and Data Protection Legislation in the U.S. and in the EU" »

Earlier we've blogged about corporate translation services in the context of international arbitration. Although the purpose of arbitration is to allow for the amicable resolution of business disagreements, sometimes a party will be left unsatisfied with the choice of arbitrator. Both the arbitration done under the Rules of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) or via internal (ad hoc) rules allow for a challenge. When raising a challenge, specific requirements must be met:

Continue reading "Language Translation & Interpreting for Corporate Litigation Attorneys, and Challenging Arbitrators under an International Arbitration Act" »

With the growing economic and political strength of the European Union, more and more transatlantic business is being conducted. This leads to an increase of transatlantic business contracts. Such contracts need to be translated into the language or languages of the European country, with which the U.S. company is conducting business. And, the more international business transactions there are, the more blurred the law that governs the enforcement of contracts becomes.

Continue reading "Legal Document Translation, and Enforcing U.S. Judgments in Europe" »

As securities-fraud lawsuits go global, the need for professional foreign language live, print, and written translation services is on the rise. Late last year the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey entered a ruling that essentially excludes all non-U.S. purchasers of Shell securities from becoming a party in a class action lawsuit for security fraud filed in the United States.

Continue reading "Cross-Border Litigation Increases the Need for Professional Foreign Language Legal Translation Services" »

Conducting quality legal research is a complex, time consuming and often frustrating task. When your legal research involves foreign language statutes and case law, the task becomes even more challenging. However, as more and more commercial contracts, settlements and litigation involve foreign nations, transnational legal research has become a vital part of any legal practice.

Continue reading "Professional Legal Translation Services, and a Brief Introduction to Transnational Legal Research" »

Legal document translation services are important to litigators. During cross-cultural litigation involving legal aspects from both the United States and a foreign country, litigators and attorneys in general are often required to prove foreign points of law.

Continue reading "Foreign Language Document Translation, and Using Foreign Law as Evidence" »