5 Things to Consider When Hiring a Legal Translation Company

Legal translation is quite complex. It is a very specialised sector in translation services that require care and attention to details. Just like medical translation, legal translation involves lives and a haphazardly done translation can end in serious problems for the clients, the law firm and other parties. When a legal firm wants to source a provider of legal translation services, the firm should look for a translation provider with proven expertise in legal translation and the right system and tools to ensure that they can deliver accurate translation for every requirement the clients have.

Legal translation by professional translators may be new to some law firms, but they need translation services especially if they have international clients and deal with global institutions. You should be able to find the right legal translation services provider that will fit your immediate and future requirements.

Selecting a legal translation services provider

Many law firms think that their need for legal translation would not be a regular occurrence. What most of them do is ask several translation companies to submit estimates. From those estimates, it is typical for them to choose the one offering the lowest price, which sounds quite unrealistic.

But that is not the case. It is not an unreasonable thing to do. The fee for document translation is charged to the client, and clients would typically not pay a high price for legal translation on top of what they are going to pay for their legal services.

However, paying a lower price for document translation does not ensure that the translation is going to be accurate and useful to the client and the law firm. A poor translation will be costlier to fix. It could actually cost much more than if you hire an experienced and professional legal translator in the first place. A poor translation also gives you spillover costs. It can have an adverse effect on your case as well as on your law firm.

To ensure that you are in the right track, here are the factors to consider to find the right legal translation provider for your firm.

Quality of the translation

One of the most important considerations is the quality of the translation. It is not enough to look at samples of previous translation work to determine the quality of the translation. It is critical for the law firm to find out about the translation company’s work processes, how they choose their translators, their procedures for quality control and their post-translation processes such as editing and proofreading. It is a good idea to look at their accreditation with reputable industry organisations such as the American Translators Association (ATA). The law firm should also inquire how the company handles errors in translation. 

Specialisation in legal translation

Some translation companies accept all types of translation projects. However, there are companies that have specific specialisations. You can look for a translation company that has experts in legal translation. Working with translators who are well versed in the discovery process and litigation will be able to provide you with legal support services along with document translation. Some companies offer a full suite of services, so you can avail of interpreting services as well as translation services. Experts in legal translation have worked in the legal field, so they are familiar with legal terminology and jargon. Many of them receive further training and as well as pass qualifying exams to improve their credentials.

Company reputation

Company reputation is vital as well. You want to work with a legal translation company that has several years of experience behind them. Another thing you have to check is their list of clients. It’s going to be beneficial to your company if you check for online references. See if you can call them so you can determine how good the translation company is and find out how they treat their clients. A translation company with a solid reputation and long years of experience in the field of legal translation can help you deal with foreign culture and provide you with tips related to your business. Just like you have a reputation to uphold, a professional translation company will ensure that you receive your translations on time – an accurate, properly formatted and mirror image of your original document.

Responsiveness

A legal translation should be very responsive to your needs. Since time is gold so to speak, it is vital for a translation company to provide answers to queries and requests immediately. While some companies will be able to provide a project quote within hours, some are able to send an estimate within minutes. Sometimes the delay is due to existing office protocol, while others take longer because of their size. They may be waiting for a translator’s availability before they can provide an estimate or because their office is only open on weekdays. Whatever the reason might be, being responsive, along with the other characteristics of a good translation company, will help you to make an intelligent decision. There are professional translation companies that provide 24/7 translation service, so be sure to check them out.

Size and price

The size of the company is not always an indication that the company will provide you with very good service. If the company is too large, you may be dealing with several people before you can get down to business. Different project managers and translators may be assigned to your account. It is better to find a translation company that is the right size for your needs. What is important is to find a company with the expertise to handle all your language and technical requirements.

Another vital thing to consider is the price. Clients are wary of additional expenses, so find a translation company that offers you quality work at the right price. It helps to compare prices for the same type of service. You have to check if their rate per word is all-inclusive or you have to pay extra for proofreading and formatting.  

These are the main factors you have to consider when selecting a legal translation services provider. Several other things should be considered, including the availability of certified translators which some courts require. You should check the security systems in place to ensure privacy and confidentiality.

Follow these guidelines and you will find a good legal translation company that meets your requirements exactly.

Author Bio:

Bernadine Racoma writes for Day Translations, Inc., a legal translation service provider. She travels extensively and uses her vast cultural experiences to create interesting and factual blogs. She is a mom of seven amazing children with whom she spends her free time, does yoga and enjoys food tripping dates with her friends.