Legal translation
Translation of contracts, court documents, judgments, powers of attorney, corporate documentation and legal correspondence by a translator with an academic background in law.
Legal translator with a law degree
Legal translation requires more than replacing words between languages. Apparently similar terms may perform different functions in different legal systems. I hold a degree in Law and have professional experience with legal, court, corporate and business documentation.
My legal training helps me identify the function of provisions and concepts and the points where an overly literal translation could create ambiguity. Translation does not constitute legal advice, but it must reproduce the meaning of the source document accurately.
Litigation and court documents
- Pleadings, applications, submissions and statements of case
- Judgments, orders, decisions and court notices
- Evidence and procedural annexes
- Arbitration and administrative-procedure documents
Names of parties, case numbers, dates, legal references and cross-references are checked for consistency throughout the document set. I also provide legal transcription for suitable recordings.
Contracts and commercial law
I translate commercial and business contracts, including service, confidentiality, licensing, employment, distribution, financing and other agreements. In longer contracts, defined terms and cross-references must remain consistent across clauses and schedules.
Corporate law, transactions and M&A
My experience includes corporate documentation and document sets associated with acquisitions, share sales, investment and other business transactions.
- Articles, minutes and corporate resolutions
- Share purchase and similar transaction agreements
- Completion documents, certificates and warranties
- Corporate records and supporting documents
- Financial documentation connected with transactions
Where the content is predominantly accounting, banking or financial reporting, see financial translation.
Real estate, notarial and succession documents
I have experience with real-estate, notarial and succession documentation, including sale and purchase agreements, promissory agreements, powers of attorney, deeds, wills, declarations of heirs, estate administration and documents used in cross-border succession matters.
Compliance, privacy and data protection
I also translate internal compliance, privacy and data-protection policies and procedures, including consent and information notices, data-subject rights, legitimate-interest assessments, document retention/destruction and GDPR-related corporate policies.
Working languages
My main legal translation flows into European Portuguese are from English and Spanish, with French, Italian and German available depending on the project. Portuguese-to-English, Portuguese-to-Spanish and Spanish-to-English work is also available for suitable projects.
Terminology and differences between legal systems
Institutions, procedural categories, corporate forms and legal effects do not always have direct equivalents. Where a source-system concept must be retained, the wording should be clear without inventing an equivalence that the source document does not contain.
Checking, consistency and formatting
Before delivery I check terminology, omissions, names, figures, dates, legal references, cross-references and annexes. Where the source format permits, I preserve headings, tables, numbering and other relevant structural elements.
When is certified translation required?
A legal translation is not automatically a certified translation. Where a receiving authority requires formal certification, see certified translations in Portugal.
Price, turnaround and confidentiality
Price and turnaround depend on language pair, length, legal complexity, format, deadline and any certification requirements. Documents and information are treated as confidential under the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
How it works
- Send the document: include the language pair, intended use, receiving authority and deadline where known.
- Quote and translation: I confirm scope, price and turnaround before work begins.
- Final check and delivery: I check the translation and deliver it by the agreed method.
Frequently asked questions
What legal documents do you translate?
Court and litigation documents, contracts, powers of attorney, corporate and M&A documentation, real-estate and succession documents, compliance/data-protection policies and other legal texts, depending on the language pair and project.
Do you have legal training?
Yes. I hold a Law degree from Universidade Católica Portuguesa, which provides a relevant foundation for understanding the legal function and terminology of the documents I translate.
What is the difference between legal and certified translation?
Legal translation describes the subject matter. Certified translation is a documentary formality that may be required for a particular official use.
Do you translate corporate and financial transaction documents?
Yes. I have experience with document sets combining contracts, corporate records, accounts, warranties and financing. The predominant content determines whether a project is treated as legal or financial.
Need a legal document translated?
Send a legible copy and indicate the intended use and deadline.
Request a quote