Translation For Lawyers

Foreign language translation and legal translation and interpreting services play an important role in international business and financial transactions. Recently the International Accounting Standards Board released its book of accounting rules for SMEs.

This publication was highly anticipated because how a SME is defined will have significant legal and tax consequences, particularly as more and more SMEs go global - thanks to the advance in technology. The issue arose because every country had a different definition for SME and were essentially creating tax havens for these companies by writing definitions that could include even the largest corporations.

Continue reading "Language Translation and Small and Medium Sized Enterprise in a Global Context" »

We've blogged about translating financial double tax treaties. According to section 911 of the U.S. Tax Code, a qualified individual is able to exclude foreign earned income and housing costs amounts from gross income. 911(d)(1) defines a qualified individual as an individual whose tax home is in a foreign country and who is either a U.S. citizen with bona fide resident status in a foreign country for an uninterrupted period of an entire taxable year, or a U.S. citizen who during a period of 12 consecutive months is present in a foreign country(ies) for at least 330 days.

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One area that always seems to be a hotbed for malpractice suits is client billing. It's difficult enough when the client is within your jurisdiction - and it only becomes more complex when you bill clients across the globe. For instance, if the client speaks a foreign language, then your bill should have a foreign language translation that clearly outlines all services, fees and charges. You should also become familiar with customary billing practice of the country your client lives in - which may require a foreign language translation of local laws and codes of ethics. For example, in many countries hourly billing is viewed as highly suspect.

The solution is often a mixture of creative billing strategies tailored to keep your international clients satisfied. Here are some ideas:

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Perhaps as a result of the U.S. economy, the weak dollar and the rapid spread of technology, many U.S. small and medium sized companies are looking to expand overseas, particularly in the European Union. Whether this means starting a new business or opening a branch or subsidiary, your clients need to understand the specific steps involved - and the important role of foreign language translations.

Continue reading "Multilingual Translation, Legal Translation and Starting a Business in the European Union" »

Often times, taking over an existing company is a worthwhile alternative to setting up a new business, as one can benefit from the company's established reputation, production structure and customer network and thus minimize the traditional risks facing start-ups. However, many people do not realize the work and process involved in an acquisition of an EU-based business. And getting legal document translations from and into various foreign languages is just part of this challenging process.

Continue reading " Business Translation, Legal Translation and Taking Over a EU-Based Business" »

Professional on-site and off-site translation and interpretation services are vital for M&A attorneys and law firms. With the economic crisis spreading across the globe, mergers and acquisitions have slowed considerably over the past two quarters of 2009. Although there are signs that mergers and acquisitions are beginning to once again pick up, overall the numbers remain low.

Continue reading "Legal Translation, On-Site Translation, Off-SiteTranslation and Global M&A Market " »

We've blogged about international tax law translations, legal translations, financial translations. As an attorney, you may see an increase in the number of clients seeking advice on reporting foreign-based financial accounts. Since the government is starting to look more closely at foreign held assets, clients will be seeking sound legal advice on what they are and are not required to report.

According to the Bank Secrecy Act, each U.S. person must file a Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR) if:

Continue reading "Legal Translation, Financial Translation Online and Reporting Foreign Financial Accounts" »

Multilingual on-site and off-site document translation and language interpreting plays an important role in international transactions.  In attempt to create an effective, multilateral framework of rights and obligations with respect to laws, regulations, procedures and practices regarding government procurement, as part of its Uruguay Round of talks, the World Trade Organization created an Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA). According to the agreement:

All technical specifications shall be laid out in detail, including:

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We've blogged about international translation of multilingual legal and financial documents for foreign representatives and foreign receivers in foreign insolvency proceedings provided by online professional translation services.    Although filing for insolvency is no easy task, in light of the current economic situation the number of international insolvencies has increased to such a level that demands are now being made for the establishment of an international insolvency system. Such a system would be pragmatic, efficient, predictable and in-line with national bankruptcy policies.

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Legal language services and business and corporate translation services are important not only for public companies and private corporations doing business internationally, but also for non-profit groups.  As many non-profit organizations are international in scope, many set up subsidiaries in foreign countries, thus generating an ongoing need for multilingual legal translations and multilingual corporate translations. A foreign non-profit organization may register in the United States, but must follow a specific procedure that is rather similar to registering a corporation in the U.S.  It should be noted, however, that every state has its own specific registration requirements for foreign non-profit organizations, so be sure to consult the statutes of the jurisdiction of registration.

Continue reading "Legal Language Services by Legal Translation Professionals, Legal Translators and Certified Legal Interpreters for Foreign Non-Profit Organizations " »

We've blogged about multi-language translation, e-Discovery translation and data privacy laws.  Whether in Europe or the U.S., concerns about where to draw the line between privacy and security are being hotly debated. However, there are important differences between U.S. and European privacy laws. But, as a rule of thumb, employers may properly conduct reasonable searches of employees' workplaces and monitor employees' electronic communications for legitimate business purposes.

Continue reading "Multi Language Translation, Professional Language Translation, and Privacy in the EU Workplace- the International Employer's Perspective" »

Earlier we blogged about professional interpreting and translation services in the context of national origin discrimination of foreign language speakers.  Foreign language translator and interpreter services also come in handy when dealing with foreign nationals in the context of national security.  A dilemma often faced by universities and major research or engineering firms is when a foreign national is hired via the proper visa and does work under the auspices of a government grant. When doing such work, specific licenses are required according to the export control regulations of the United States - often as a result of security measures taken against particular nations.

Continue reading "Foreign Language Translation Services, Export Control and Employment Discrimination " »

Foreign language translation services, and namely, legal translation services, play a key role in international franchising.  One of the first things to be seen when an emerging market begins to open up is an influx of international franchising chains. This was seen in the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe and is now being seen in Central Asia. However, taking a franchise overseas involves numerous legal steps - often done in the emerging market's native language.
 

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Legal document translation, as well as business translation plays an important role each time a U.S. company's assets are sold to a foreign-owned company, while foreign language interpreters are used during all the stages of negotiations.  Such admiralty laws as the Jones Act - which puts into place strict requirements as to U.S. flag vessels being owned by a U.S. citizen - can create a significant obstacle to international trade and commerce. For example, if a foreign-based corporation buys out a U.S. company involved in shipping, the foreign company will acquire the U.S. company's assets, including its U.S. flag vessels. However, according to the Jones Act, it is illegal for the foreign company to own and operate these ships.

Continue reading "Legal Translation, Business Translation and U.S. Flag Vessels in the Global Economy" »

Earlier we've blogged about the role of professional translation services in the global economy. As China continues to develop as a dominant international business player, it is essential for the international lawyer to understand China's antitrust review process, and the role of English-Chinese and Chinese-English legal translations in this process.

Continue reading "English-Chinese and Chinese-English Legal Document Translations, and China's Antitrust Review Process" »