Translations of Foreign Legal Documents

Whilst English is very much a language understood by most, it is not always the language used for legal documents, especially when these legal documents are to be used in another country. It is therefore likely that these documents are drafted solely in a foreign language or in a bi-lingual format.

You may well be conversant with the foreign language, but if you need to complete a transaction overseas and the document is in a foreign language, then it is very important for me to ensure that you understand the document that you are signing. Whilst I am fully conversant with Dutch and German and to a lesser extent a number of other languages, I may require that the document is formally translated and therefore I would then have to use a translation services.

Translation for Legal Documents

As a notary public I will always need to be satisfied with myself of the contents of a document that needs to be notarised. Whilst I can deal with documents in German and Dutch directly, I may need to have a document translated by an official legal translator who may also have to certify that they have produced a true translation. For this part I would use the services of a Translator.

In certain circumstances I may be satisfied to sign and fix my seal on a document in a foreign language, but only if I am satisfied that you are conversant with the language and that you understand the document.

Interpreter

If I am not able to understand your language and specific requirements, we may need to engage and pay for a competent interpreter at an additional fee to attend our meeting. This may be necessary to ensure that I am satisfied that as well as myself you understand the documents that you are signing.

Please do get in touch to discuss how I can help you with you or your company’s overseas transactions.

See also: Power of Attorney for business abroad >