Translation For Lawyers

Language Translation, E-Discovery Translation and European Data Privacy Laws

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 07:55:12 -0700

We've already blogged about language translation services and ediscovery translation in the context of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, as well as about deposition translator and interpreter services in foreign depositions in U.S. federal cases. But under European data privacy laws, conducting effective multilingual e-discovery becomes troublesome, and the benefits of e-discovery are being significantly hampered. By and large, E.U. law restricts the processing of personal data and its exporting outside E.U. borders.

Professional Translation & Interpreter Services, Multilingual Litigation Solutions, and International Insolvency Law

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 05:12:48 -0700

Earlier we've blogged about the role of court interpreters in domestic bankruptcy proceedings. Clearly, the utilization of professional language translations and language interpreting services in international insolvency proceedings is poised for a more rapid growth. In 2005, in response to an increasing need for the courts to be able to deal with foreign representatives and foreign proceedings, Congress passed Chapter 15 of the United States Bankruptcy Code. The law was based on the Model Law of International Insolvency and is similar to the EU's European Insolvency Regulation.

Professional Document Translation and Defining Punitive Damages in the EU

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 09:16:23 -0700

Earlier we've blogged about legal document translation in the context of enforcing U.S. judgments in Europe and in the context of cross-border litigation. Professional written translation services certainly play an important role in defining punitive damages in the EU. The European courts consider punitive damages contrary to public policy and, thus, do not allow them. This is because, according to customary European civil practice, the purpose of a civil suit is to seek compensation, not punishment. This becomes an issue in cases where a U.S. court awards a judgment of punitive damages against a European defendant and where the plaintiff, unsuccessfully, attempts to have the judgment enforced in a European court.

Legal Translation, Translation of Contracts, and the International World of Sports

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 07:56:56 -0700

Any sports fan knows that, regardless of the game, sports are becoming more and more international in scope. However, what most sports fans fail to realize is that in order to play professional sports in the United States, an entire legal process must first occur. And professional translation services are an integral part of this process.

Professional Translation Services, Undue Influence, and Your Foreign Language-Speaking Client's Testamentary Capacity

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:25:43 -0700

Earlier we've blogged about certified document translation, and finding intent in a foreign language will. We also blogged about the role of court interpreters in probate hearings.

During probate, an estate will often be challenged on either the grounds that the testator was coerced by undue influence or that he or she lacked the necessary testamentary capacity. With this challenge the probate attorney has little to work with in terms of evidence, as the testator is no longer living.

Technical Translation Services, and Registering an Imported Aircraft

Sat, 02 Aug 2008 08:47:34 -0700

Professional language translation services, and, namely, technical translation services, play an important role in having an imported aircraft registered in the U.S. According to Federal Aviation Association rules and regulations, an imported aircraft manufactured in a foreign country must be registered upon entering the United States.

In order to register a foreign aircraft, the applicant must provide a statement by an official having jurisdiction over the National Aircraft Registry of the foreign country stating that the registration in that country has either ended, was never commenced or is invalid.

Language Translations, French-English Translation, and the Case of Airline Liability for Emotional Distress

Thu, 31 Jul 2008 08:16:43 -0700

There are often cases, which are decided on the meaning of a single foreign word. It is then that the court would carefully look at all the available translations of that word, the context, and more.

Article 17 of the Warsaw Convention sets out specific conditions under which an international air carrier can be held liable for injuries to passengers. It reads:

The carrier is liable for damage sustained in the event of the death or wounding of a passenger or any other bodily injury suffered by a passenger, if the accident which caused the damage so sustained took place on board the aircraft or in the course of any of the operations of embarking or disembarking.

In other words, it allows the passengers to recover for "lesion corporelle"- a French term, which literally translates as "bodily injury", and is found in the authentic French text of Article 17.

Professional Language Translation Services for Attorney Marketing and Law Firm Marketing

Tue, 29 Jul 2008 08:01:21 -0700

Whether your law firm practices locally or internationally, you should consider adding a foreign language translation of your materials to your marketing plan. As the non-English-speaking population continues to grow, the competition to market legal services specifically towards this multilingual population will continue to intensify. Likewise, international law firms deal with a non-English speaking client base. And the best way to reach these groups is by doing a foreign language translation of all your marketing materials, particularly your Web site.

Foreign language translations of Web sites come in several formats. Many law firms use a verbatim foreign language translation of the content found on their main Web site. Some law firms offer a foreign language translation of various parts of the main Web site, while other law firms create an entirely separate and unique Web site for a given language audience.

Translations for Litigators and Corporate Attorneys- Establishing an Offshore Company

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 05:31:57 -0700

Legal document translations, and, namely, business and corporate document translations, come in handy when doing business overseas. In order to avoid tax liability and to garner other financial and legal benefits, many individuals and companies choose to take advantage of starting an offshore business. An offshore company is one that is registered - and thus located - in a different country. Typically small countries, particularly islands and developing regions, create tax incentives to entice businesses to locate there - at least on paper...

Foreign Language Translation, and the Language Barriers While Flying

Sat, 26 Jul 2008 08:51:51 -0700

Language barriers can be very costly for businesses--jeopardizing human lives and increasing business's liability. Professional translation and interpreting services help alleviate many risks. Take, for instance, the case of the rapidly growing field of Business Aviation, or Executive Aircraft. What most people do not realize when looking at purchasing a new business jet is that international aviation law, in general, has not evolved
in a way that meets today's borderless demands. Let's look at the issue of language...

Translation Issues in Cross-Border Contract Law: Which Foreign Language to Use?

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 07:30:04 -0700

Foreign language translation issues aside, when entering into a cross-border or international contractual agreement, one common issue that arises is deciding which language the contract should be drafted in. Although a common answer is to use the language of the country in which the contract will be filed in and include a foreign language translation in the language of all other parties involved, this is not always the case.

Foreign Language Interpreters in Pre-Deposition Meetings, & Deposition Interpreters in Depositions to Follow

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 09:42:04 -0700

A common situation goes something like this:

A foreign language interpreter is hired by one lawyer to provide foreign language translation to his or her client during pre-deposition or pre-hearing preparation. During this time, the foreign language interpreter serves as the lawyer's agent and, thus, attorney-client privilege is preserved.

English-Chinese and Chinese-English Legal Document Translations, and China's Antitrust Review Process

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 11:04:10 -0700

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.

Legal Translations, Financial Translations, and Foreign Investments in the U.S.

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 08:11:11 -0700

Part of finalizing a foreign investment in the United States involves satisfying the procedures set up by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). Financial document translation, accounting document translation, and legal document translation of foreign language documents constitutes an important step in this process. The purpose of the CFIUS is to ensure that foreign investments do not have any national security implications.

Foreign Language Translation for Attorneys and Law Firms, and International Conflict of Laws

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 09:42:12 -0700

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.