Legal Translations

The first thing about legal translations is that the target text has to convey every detail and nuance of the source exactly. This may seem obvious, but can be quite a challenge, especially in the case of contracts or court proceedings where the stakes can be high. As legal terminology is complex in any language, a legal background, preferably a degree in law, is almost a must for a good translator or editor of legal texts.

Broadly defined, legal texts also include EU and Government materials, various reports and surveys etc. These are all texts where not only the factual content, but often also the style and even the grammatical structure have to be conveyed, placing legal translations somewhere between technical and marketing translations.


Some examples of texts that can be considered legal translations:

  • Contracts, agreements and various other legal documents

  • Court materials, rulings and transcripts

  • Reports, overviews, various programmes and initiatives

  • Procurement documents and tendering materials

  • Various questionnaires and surveys

  • EU and government materials

  • Legislative texts


Other translation areas


