Are you involved in public procurement abroad or dealing with institutional partners outside France? The translation of your public contracts cannot be left to chance. In a cross-border legal context, every word counts. Here's what you need to know.
Why translating public contracts is a sensitive exercise
Public contracts govern the relationships between public entities and private operators. They are governed by specific, often complex rules that vary from country to country. When such a contract must be used in another legal system—for an international call for tenders, a regulatory audit, or a litigation procedure—its translation must be faithful in substance, but also consistent in form.
You're not just translating terms; you're transposing legal mechanisms. A simple misinterpretation can call the contract into question or lead to litigation.
The technical requirements of a legal translation in public law
A public contract is often structured around clauses specific to administrative law (revision clauses, unilateral termination, power to impose sanctions, etc.). These elements do not always have a direct equivalent in other legal systems. It is therefore necessary not only to translate, but also to adapt the vocabulary and clarify certain concepts.
Translators must:
- Master local and foreign public law,
- Understand the issues of awarding and executing contracts,
- Working with specialized legal lexicons,
- Ensure terminological consistency throughout the document.
This is precision work, often carried out in conjunction with lawyers to secure each formulation.
A concrete case: translation for a foreign regulatory authority
Consider the example of a French company bidding for a public procurement contract in Latin America. The call for tenders requires the provision of a standard contract in Spanish. The original French version contains several references to the Public Procurement Code and to provisions specific to French law. The translation must not only render these elements in clear language, but also make them understandable to the local authority... while avoiding any ambiguity regarding contractual obligations.
In this context, only a team experienced in legal translation and comparative law can guarantee a legally valid and operational translated version.
Why use translators specializing in public law?
Entrusting the translation of your public contracts to a general translator means taking the risk of misinterpretation, contractual misunderstandings, or administrative rejection. Only professionals trained in law and legal translation can guarantee:
- The reliability of the content,
- Suitability to the legal system in question,
- Compliance with the deadlines imposed by the procedure.
This is a guarantee of legal security for you and your partners.
Legal 230's expertise in translating public contracts
At Legal 230, we regularly work on public contract translation projects for administrative authorities, courts, and private stakeholders operating internationally. Our translators are trained lawyers specializing in public law and work closely with our project managers to ensure accurate and operational results.
Need to translate a public contract? Let's talk.
Are you preparing a file for an international contract or need to enforce a contract before a foreign authority? Contact our specialized team to ensure the compliance and legal security of your translation.