Accuracy in legal translation is not just a matter of quality — it’s a matter of responsibility. A single error in the interpretation of a contract, will, or court document can lead to legal disputes, financial losses, or even litigation.
Legal translations require deep knowledge of the law and meticulous attention to detail. In this article, we explore the most common mistakes in legal translation and how to avoid them to protect the integrity of your documents and the security of your business.
1. Inaccurate Use of Legal Terminology
Firstly, legal language is technical and full of nuances. Translating “consideration” in an Anglo-Saxon contract as “consideración” instead of “contraprestación” — its true legal meaning — can completely change the intent of an agreement and lead to legal conflicts.
How to avoid it:
- Work with translators specialized in law.
- Use official legal glossaries.
- Consult with bilingual attorneys when necessary.
2. Errors in Translation of Date and Number Formats
Dates and numbers follow different formats depending on the country. A common mistake is confusing the order of the day and month, for example interpreting “04/07/2023” as July 4 instead of April 7, depending on the origin system. Thus, this can invalidate legal deadlines or alter contractual conditions.
How to avoid it:
- Verify the correct date format for the target country.
- Perform double-check validation on all numbers.
3. Omission of Essential Clauses or Terms in Translation
In addition, in legal document translation, every word matters. For example, omitting a clause or slightly altering the meaning of a sentence can open the door to misinterpretation and potential legal disputes.
How to avoid it:
- Compare the original document with the final translation thoroughly.
- Use specialized quality control software for legal translation.
4. Errors of Translation in Adapting to the Legal System
Moreover, every country has its own legal framework, and some concepts do not have direct equivalents. For example, translating “trust” from Anglo-Saxon law as “fideicomiso” without considering the legal context can lead to a misapplication of the concept in the target country.
How to avoid it:
- Adapt the translation to the legal system of the destination country.
- Consult experts in comparative law.
5. Lack of Confidentiality in Translation
However, legal documents often contain sensitive information. Also, if the translation is handled by unqualified personnel or without proper security measures, there is a risk of data leaks, which can cause serious legal consequences.
How to avoid it:
- Work only with certified translators bound by confidentiality agreements.
- Use secure platforms to share documents.
6. Using Machine Translation Without Human Review
Machine translation tools have advanced, but they are still unsuitable for legal documents. Thus, misusing artificial intelligence can produce errors that completely distort the meaning of a legal text.
How to avoid it:
- Never rely on machine translation without thorough human revision.
- Work with an experienced editing and proofreading team specialized in legal content.
Conclusion
In conclusion, poor legal translation is not just a technical error — it’s a risk that can lead to costly lawsuits, lost contracts, and serious damage to a company’s or professional’s reputation. Thus, to avoid this, it is essential to work with translators specialized in law, review each document rigorously, and ensure the final text complies with the legal framework of the destination country. Finally, in the legal world, accuracy in translation is not a luxury — it’s a necessity.
