Translation For Lawyers

We've blogged about professional legal translation services and the non-personal service of process in the age of Twitter. Professional translation and interpreting services continue to play an important role in transnational service of process which, in most cases, is governed by the Hague Service Convention.

Mexico joined the Convention in 1999, with entry into force occurring in 2000. According to accession protocol, Mexico designated the Directorate-General of Legal Affairs of its Ministry of Foreign Affairs as its Central Authority. This in effect designated this DG to receive and forward all request for service of both judicial and extrajudicial documents from other Hague Convention participating states. However, in doing so, Mexico rejected the alternative methods for serving documents as outlined in Articles 8 and 10.

Continue reading "Foreign Language Translation, Mexico, Translation Error and Service of Process " »

We've blogged about the EU law translations and foreign language interpreting and
translation in the EU. Any business legally established in an EU country has the right, according to the Freedom of Establishment clause of Article 43 of the EC Treaty, to open a secondary establishment in any other EU country. A secondary establishment includes an office, agency, branch or subsidiary. According to the terms of the treaty, the requirements include the business to:

Continue reading "Language Translation Services, Legal Language Translation and Opening a Branch Location in the European Union" »

Since personal service of process is often not a possibility in international litigation, the law has evolved to permit - in specific circumstances - for service to be carried out via mail, telex, facsimile and even email. But what about service through text messaging, Twitter, or Facebook? And how does this effect a foreign language speaker who cannot understand the meaning of the electronic service? Furthermore, how does this play into service between two foreign jurisdictions?

Continue reading " Legal Translation and Non-Personal Service of Process in the Age of Twitter" »

We've blogged about the role of professional translation and interpreting services  and Russian legal translations in obtaining foreign evidence in Russian litigation, and about the role of legal translation services in litigating international cases in Russia.  Many commercial disputes that find their way into Russia's courts involve matters extending beyond the country's borders. For example, in 2003 the arbitrazh courts decided 1196 cases involving at least one foreign party. As a result, the number of cases taken before the International Commercial Arbitration Court has increased.

Continue reading "Legal Certified Translation, Professional Translation Services, Legal Translators and the Role of the Foreign Court in Russian Litigation and Arbitration " »

Legal translations, certified translation services and professional translation services rendered by certified translators play an important role in obtaining and understanding evidence to be used in a foreign jurisdiction.  American courts have a long history of providing assistance to foreign courts and litigants seeking evidence located in the United States. Under this system, there are at least three methods for a Russian court or litigant to compel the production of documentary or testimonial evidence from an American witness:

Continue reading "Witness Interview Interpreting, Professional Language Translation, Certified Translation, and Obtaining Foreign Evidence in Russian Litigation" »

As time goes by, legal translators and court interpreters will play an increasing role in climate change litigation.  At its most basic, a suit for damages caused by climate change is a tort. However, unlike other injury-based torts, climate change claims raise the issue of boundaries. As the effects of climate change are global - and the often-named defendants are multi-national corporations - deciding such preliminary issues as standing and venue are uniquely challenging. More so, the evidence and proof involved in showing how the combined activities of a multinational corporation caused the specified injury not only crosses borders, but also language barriers. Thus, having foreign language translations of documents and foreign language interpretation of foreign witnesses' testimony is vital.

Continue reading "Technical Translation Services, Engineering Translators, Legal Interpreters and Translators for Climate Change Litigation" »

Earlier we've blogged about professional web translation services in the context of the European Data Privacy Laws.   During internal corporate investigations and e-Discovery it is important to advise a U.S.-based client that foreign blocking statutes do not necessarily eliminate one's compliance with U.S. discovery in accordance with the Rules of Civil Procedure. For this reason, it is advisable to consult with foreign counsel to discuss - and represent - any violation of a foreign blocking statute that may occur.  Of course, in doing this, one will require the services of legal translators and interpreters.

Continue reading "Attorney Translation & Interpretation Services, Legal Translations for Corporate Counsel and Litigation Case Managers, and International Litigation Strategies " »

Earlier we've blogged about document translation in the context of foreign regulatory evidence in products liability cases and about the role of professional translating and interpreting services in enforcing U.S. judgments in Europe. As the business world becomes more and more global, there are increasing instances of conflict of law questions. Essentially, a conflict of law arises whenever a business transaction spans two different countries.

Continue reading "Foreign Language Translation for Attorneys and Law Firms, and International Conflict of Laws" »

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" »

Professional translation services play an important role in arbitration. Nearly every industrialized nation has an International Arbitration Act on their books. Although every nation's Act is unique, all are similar in purpose - to facilitate the mediation and arbitration of international commercial disputes. Further, all states who have International Arbitration Acts agree to specific formalities as part of the International Arbitration Convention.

Continue reading "Corporate Translation, Legal Translation Services for Corporate Litigation Lawyers, and International Arbitration" »

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" »

When a party relies on a piece of documentary evidence written in a foreign language, they must have the document translated into English and file an affidavit attesting to the accuracy of the translation.

So what happens when both parties submit separate affidavits by two different document translators attesting to having submitted an accurate translation?

Continue reading "Certified Language Translator's Affidavit, and Professional Translation & Interpreting Services for Litigation, Court Proceedings & Arbitration Proceedings" »

As the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) is aimed primarily at international transactions, the issue of accurate foreign language translation becomes essential to avoiding legal trouble. According to the FCPA, it is a crime to, among other things, to bribe a foreign official.

Continue reading "Foreign Language Translation in Context of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act" »

When it comes to depositions or Examinations Before Trial (EBTs) involving non-English-speaking witnesses, the last thing an attorney wants is surprises - especially from their client. This is why preparing your client and all other individuals involved in the deposition is essential. Nowhere is this truer than when dealing with a foreign language speaking witness, who requires services of a deposition interpreter, in the context of a cross-cultural deposition.

When preparing for a foreign language deposition, keep these tips in mind:

Continue reading "Deposition Translators, Deposition Interpreters, and Preparing for a Foreign Language Deposition" »

When talking about foreign language translation and interpretation and foreign languages in the legal sense, it is natural to think in terms of the act of translating a legal document or testimony from one language to another. However, when used in the context of international law, this concept also means translating and interpreting foreign laws from one legal language to another.

Continue reading "Legal Document Translation, Translated Laws and Documents- the Other Side of Language Translation Process" »