Translation For Lawyers

We've blogged about multilingual professional language translation services for the purposes of authenticating a foreign Website evidence. In the Internet Age, digital advertising is one of the most cost-effective ways to create brand recognition and goodwill on an international scale. From Google AdWords to blogs and pop-up advertising, businesses big and small have taken advantage of the many digital marketing options available to them. Although from a business standpoint, these digital marketing campaigns seem rather straightforward, from a legal standpoint they are the equivalent of a minefield.

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Professional language translation and court interpretation services play an important role in private international law. The questions is, under the umbrella of private international law, how are cross-border mergers and stock swaps viewed? In an international M&A, corporation X acquires the assets of or shares in corporation Y. In return, Y receives either shares in X or money. This entire process is governed by internal procedures, guided in some way by generally accepted rules and regulations known as private international law. According to private international law, the theory of conflict of laws applies, meaning the contract between X and Y is regulated by the rules and regulations of the jurisdiction in which the contract was entered. However, according to internal procedures, X's actions would fall under the laws of the jurisdiction where it is incorporated and Y where it is incorporated.

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We've blogged about legal translation services and foreign tax treaties and about foreign language translation and foreign income and taxes. Most countries have a Double Tax Treaty with the US, but depending on the individual country's treaty, whether or not a foreign national can contribute to their US pension fund without tax penalties is questionable. For example, in Belgium the treaty was amended to hold that when an employee comes to work in Belgium, he and his employer can continue to pay into his US pension plan for a maximum of ten years. His employer's contributions are not taxable income and the employee's personal contributions are tax-deductible.

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We've blogged about multi-language professional translation services and mortgage contract translations, as well as the importance of multilingual lease agreement translations. A timeshare essentially lets you buy a fraction of real estate - usually measured by a certain amount of weeks per year. You share the ownership with the other timeshare owners. In other words, you pay a share of the price and therefore own the equivalent share of the real estate property, giving you the right to use the property for a certain period of time every year.

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We've blogged about foreign language translation and interpretation and foreign income and taxes. Regardless of why a foreign national is living and working in the United States - perhaps after being transferred to a U.S. subsidiary by a foreign-based parent company or having been hired directly by a U.S. firm - understanding what exactly is required of them for tax filing purposes is tricky. The first step is to decide under which of three categories the foreign national falls into:

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We've blogged about translating employment contracts and foreign-born worker safety. Agricultural workers present a unique situation in the workers' compensation setting. For instance, many states do not require workers' compensation benefits or insurance for agriculture-related businesses. However, this is a field often regarded as one of the most hazardous industries in the U.S. Add to this that most of these workers - 2.5 million - are migrant and seasonal farm workers, typically unable to speak English.

Continue reading "Multi Language Courtroom Translation Services and Workers Compensation in an Agricultural Setting" »

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.

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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.

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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:

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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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