Legal Contract Translation in London: What Businesses Should Know

A badly translated contract can change the meaning of an obligation, a deadline or a liability clause. For London businesses dealing with overseas partners, contract translation is a risk-management decision, not just an admin task.

Which contracts are translated most often?

  • commercial supply and distribution agreements;
  • employment contracts for international staff;
  • shareholder and joint-venture agreements;
  • leases and property contracts;
  • non-disclosure agreements.

Which language version governs?

Bilingual contracts should state which version prevails in case of conflict. A translation for information only is different from a translation that will be signed. Tell the translator which one you need.

What to expect from a provider

  • a legal translator who works into their native language;
  • review by a second linguist;
  • confidentiality, with an NDA if required;
  • consistent terminology across related documents.

Pricing and timing

Espresso Translations (espressotranslations.co.uk) translates contracts and other legal documents at £0.10 per word for standard translation, typically delivered in 2 to 3 working days, with 24-hour express for urgent work. It is certified to ISO 17100, a member of the Association of Translation Companies, and gives a free quote within one hour.