We’ve blogged about the importance of certified translation and interpretation services in international law. Utilizing a professional certified legal foreign language translator in international courts and in arbitration is important to ensure that the language barriers will not cause misunderstandings that could lead to ethical misconduct. Ethical issues that may arise and cause a need for foreign language interpretation while in an international litigation or arbitration setting include:
- Conflict of Interest
- Ineptitude
- Dishonestly
- Inappropriate payments and/or privileges
- Lack of openness or truthfulness regarding case information or evidence
- Improper communications with other parties.
In international arbitration, an attorney’s conduct is regulated by the arbitral tribunal. Prior to the case, this tribunal sets forth the rules or expectations for the parties and their representatives to abide by and follow. A certified legal foreign language translator or certified interpreter is essential to have in these cases to safeguard against any ethical or other legal violations that could occur because of a misunderstanding in language and rules. One would not want to be sanctioned by the tribunal only because of a misunderstanding or misinterpretation of language.