In an international or cross-border legal context, the translation of your expert reports cannot suffer from approximation. These documents play a central role in resolving disputes, investigating cases or defending interests before foreign jurisdictions. Their translation requires rigor, precision and a perfect command of the legal terminology specific to public law.
What do the expert reports really contain?
An expert's report is a sensitive document: it reflects the technical analysis of an expert - often in the context of a dispute or administrative procedure - on specific points (public works, town planning, local taxation, public procurement, etc.).
It can be drawn up on request:
- From an administrative judge;
- A local or national authority;
- A lawyer for high-stakes litigation.
In many cases, these reports serve as the basis for judicial or administrative decisions. You must therefore be able to use them safely in a foreign country, whether before a judge, a supervisory authority or a contracting entity.
Why does translation have to be perfect?
When you have to transmit this document to a foreign authority, a poor translation can affect the admissibility of the report or alter its meaning. The impact can be considerable: longer procedural deadlines, questioning of evidence, or even annulment of a decision.
What's more, expert reports often contain figures, normative or regulatory references and complex reasoning. An error in a technical term or in the chronology of facts can be enough to cause the entire document to be rejected.
In some countries, such as Germany and Spain, the administrative use of translated reports also requires a sworn translation. Here again, the services of a legal service provider are essential.
Technical and terminological translation requirements
Here are the main points to bear in mind when translating an expert report:
- Respect for local legal terminology: the same term may have different implications depending on a country's administrative law.
- Exact reproduction of the argumentative structure: an expert's conclusions must never be reinterpreted.
- Adaptation to the standards of the recipient country: some authorities require specific formats, wording or levels of detail.
- Confidentiality and security: the data contained in a report may be confidential. Their handling must be strictly controlled.
Why call on the services of a legal translator?
A generalist translator or an AI not trained in legal texts can make mistakes with far-reaching consequences. A misinterpretation of the word "concession", of the expression "liability for fault", or even of the term "avis conforme", and the whole file can lose its probative value abroad.
Entrusting your translations to a professional specialized in law means :
- Guaranteeing the accuracy of the legal content of the report;
- Ensuring terminological conformity with foreign legal systems ;
- Avoid misinterpretation;
- Respect the formal and substantive requirements of foreign jurisdictions or administrations.
Case study: an expert's report in a public works dispute
Imagine a French local authority involved in a dispute with an Italian company over defects on a cross-border building site. An expert commissioned in France draws up a report detailing the defects observed, the technical responsibilities and the financial consequences.
To bring a parallel action before an administrative court in Italy, the local authority must provide an exact translation of this expert report. This requires :
- Translate all technical terms relating to construction and public procurement law;
- Adapting legal terminology to Italian administrative law ;
- A sworn translation may be required for the report to be admissible.
In such a context, only a team of specialized legal translators can guarantee the quality and usability of the document before the competent courts.
Legal 230 expertise for your expert reports
At Legal 230, we translate expert reports every week in sensitive public law contexts: town planning, local taxation, expropriation, public works... Our legal translators work exclusively on legal documents, and have a detailed knowledge of the concepts and practices specific to each country. Our proofreading, data security and post-editing processes ensure that our translations are ready for immediate use, with no need for retouching.
Need an expert report translated?
If you need to use an expert report abroad, don't take any chances. Call on professional legal translators to guarantee the reliability and admissibility of your document.
👉 Contact Legal 230 now for a free quote or analysis of your document.