How you and your clients can benefit from investing in legal translation services

The increasing global mobility of individuals and businesses creates an opportunity to develop professional relationships across specialisations and jurisdictions to best serve your clients. Working with a specialist legal translator can help break down language barriers to benefit both you and your clients.
Business woman shaking hand to her female partner while sitting in the office.

The benefits of outsourcing

Act in your client’s best interest

Involving a translator in solving your client’s problem adds value to the legal service you’re already providing and reflects well on you and your firm.

You get the job done for your client, even if it involves a different language or jurisdiction.

Save time

Even if you have all the necessary skills, you should not be using your valuable time to translate your client’s documents.

Outsource the work to a specialist in the field, and you can concentrate on the legalities of the matter.

Maintain standards and hit your deadlines

If you leave it to your client to arrange legal translations, you’re no longer in control, which increases the risk of misunderstandings and delays.

Simplify the process by having a go-to translator who understands your needs.

Choose an independent specialist

Handpick your translation specialist

If your client has entrusted you with their problem, you shouldn’t let someone else decide who will work on your client’s documents.

You can work directly with the translator to check their credentials and hold them accountable for their work.

This way, you know you’re working with a qualified, able translator.

Stay in contact

Many companies don’t have access to an in-house translation department.

Outsourced legal translator services can provide a similar service. You can maintain direct contact with the translator you need to work with.

Having a trusted partner promotes transparency between all parties, and there’s less chance of things going wrong.

Develop a personal relationship

The value of working with the same trusted professional over time is undeniable. Build trust with your client to make sure they keep coming back.

Build a network that ensures you know who to turn to whenever your client needs language skills beyond your own.

Benefit from a true specialist who shares your values

Client confidentiality is at the forefront of legal practice.

You need to find someone you trust and who shares your values.

The best translators will always be happy to sign the confidentiality agreements you provide them, demonstrating their clear commitment to your clients.

A translation specialist who provides an excellent service and upholds your company’s values – including specialist knowledge, commitment to continuing professional development, good communication skills and confidentiality – can only benefit you and your clients.

And remember, the legal world is small: the power of referrals works both ways.

How you know your translator is the right one

True specialisation

In addition to language and translation skills, your ideal translation partner should have an excellent knowledge of the legal areas they translate.

Look for someone who combines translation skills with legal qualifications who is also a member of:

  • a reputable professional translation or language body such as the Chartered Institute of Linguists (CIOL) or the Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI)
  • a legal body such as the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP)

A reputable business owner

As professionals, you’re looking for a business with:

  • a professional online presence
  • a website and email address
  • professional indemnity insurance
  • responsive translators with good communication
  • client care skills
  • clear processes
  • commitment to excellence
  • the highest standards of professional ethics

Know who to turn to

Whether you’re a legal professional who deals with cross-border matters daily, or your area of practice only offers such opportunities once in a blue moon, it’s important that you know who to turn to when a matter with a cross-border element lands on your desk.

Once you’ve established a network of trusted legal translators across specialisms and jurisdictions, you can be confident that a qualified legal translator will add value to the legal service you provide, because you’ve invested in the best skills and knowledge the market has to offer.

And, ultimately, this means you can focus on what you do best.

Maximise your Law Society membership with My LS

Sign up