Today, let’s dive into a topic that’s becoming increasingly crucial in the business world: translating court judgments. With globalization, there are now many cases where judgments from domestic courts need to be translated into English. In international business disputes or legal matters involving foreign partners, judgment translations have become essential.

However, translating court judgments can be more challenging than it might seem. Why? Because these are legally binding documents, and even a slight deviation in meaning can lead to major issues.

This is where legal translators play an essential role. Their job isn’t just to change languages—they need to convey precise legal meaning. Court judgments are filled with specialized legal terminology, which often carries different implications than everyday English. Any mistranslation could lead to legal disputes, making accurate translation absolutely necessary.

Today, we’ll discuss why translating judgments is so critical, how to ensure accurate and efficient translations, and what to be cautious of during this process. Plus, we’ll introduce Bering Lab’s specialized legal AI services, which can make this entire process faster and simpler, from translation to notarization.

✅ The First Principle of Translating Judgments: Accuracy

Let’s start by looking at the main points to keep in mind during translation. Court judgment translation requires particular care, as even a minor error could have serious repercussions. Here are three essential guidelines.

Accuracy is the first and most important. Court judgments are legally binding documents, so every word and sentence needs to be translated with extreme precision. Imagine the consequences of translating “guilty” as “not guilty”—it’s a mistake that could turn into a nightmare.

Additionally, confusing terms like “shall” and “may” can change the entire meaning of a contract. Therefore, legal knowledge is as critical as language fluency. Translators need to fully understand specialized legal terms like “defendant” and “dismissal” and ensure they are used accurately in the proper context. Having both legal knowledge and language skills is non-negotiable for quality translation.

✍🏻 Consistency and Format Maintenance in Judgment Translation

Consistency is another essential aspect. Judgments are often lengthy documents, and if terms are inconsistently translated, it can lead to confusion and diminish the document’s credibility. For instance, you can’t translate “plaintiff” as “plaintiff” in one section and “claimant” in another. Ensuring consistency requires meticulous review of the entire document.

Lastly, maintaining format is critical. Court judgments follow specific formats with defined sections like orders, reasoning, and evidence. Preserving this structure in translation is crucial to retain the document’s credibility and legal validity. It’s essential to fully understand the structure of the original document and reflect it precisely in the translation.

✍🏻 The Final Step: Notarizing the Translated Judgment

Is the translation complete once it’s done? Unfortunately, no. To be recognized abroad, a translated judgment usually needs to be notarized, a process we’ll explain next.

Notarizing a translated judgment is necessary to officially verify the translation’s accuracy. Even if you’ve invested in professional translation, overseas entities may question its authenticity, asking, “Is this really the same as the original?”

Thus, you’ll need an official certification stating, “This translation is identical to the original content.” For situations like visa applications or immigration, notarization is often mandatory. Without it, your documents may be rejected.

Here’s the process for getting a court judgment translation notarized:

1. Translate the judgment with a professional translator.
2. Take the translated document to a notary office.
3. Submit the original and translated documents.
4. The notary compares the two and confirms the accuracy.
5. Finally, the notary certifies the translation and applies a seal.

However, it’s important to note that notaries don’t guarantee 100% accuracy of the translation. They simply confirm that “the translator has declared the translation is identical to the original.” Therefore, working with a reliable professional from the start is crucial.

One last step! After notarizing the translated judgment, you may also need an apostille for international validation, or in non-Apostille countries, a consular certification. For further details, check out our previous Bering Lab post.

Accuracy, consistency, and format maintenance—it can be overwhelming to handle both translation and notarization for court judgments. But don’t worry! BeringAI+ is here to streamline the entire process for you.

BeringAI+ offers a one-stop solution from initial AI translation to expert review by legal professionals, and finally notarization. Simply submit your judgment, and BeringAI+ will take care of the rest, from quick AI translation to thorough expert review and notarization. This saves you time while ensuring accuracy.

Plus, BeringAI+ is currently offering a special promotion for new corporate clients—up to 40% off. With BeringAI+, translating and notarizing your court judgments becomes a smooth and efficient process, saving you valuable time and effort. Start with BeringAI+ today!