In an international context, translating the minutes of a shareholders' meeting is more than just a linguistic exercise. This structuring document, often required by foreign authorities or used in cross-border proceedings, must be interpreted with rigor and precision. Here's what you need to know to guarantee the conformity and legal value of your translations.
A strategic document for your company
General Meeting (GM) minutes record the major decisions taken by a company's associates or shareholders: approval of accounts, change of manager, capital increase, etc. Translation of the minutes can be requested in a number of situations:
- opening a foreign subsidiary ;
- filing with a foreign administrative authority ;
- cross-border litigation ;
- presentation during an international tax audit or control.
In addition to its informative value, this document engages the legal responsibility of your company. Hence the importance of a translation perfectly aligned with local legal formulations.
Linguistic and technical specificities of the minutes of general meetings
Translating the minutes of a shareholders' meeting means navigating between corporate law, specific terminology and legal editorial logic. This type of document contains :
- standard formulas ("the assembly decides unanimously...") to be translated with legally recognized equivalents;
- references to articles of law or statutes specific to French law, which need to be adapted or clarified;
- dates, names of bodies and functions (chairman, managing director, statutory auditor) whose equivalent is not always direct from one country to another.
The slightest error in translation can lead to administrative blockages, or even the questioning of decisions already taken.
The expertise of a legal translator: a necessity, not an option
Only a specialized legal translator is familiar with the nuances of corporate law in both legal systems. This professional guarantees :
- terminology consistent with the legal practices of the target country;
- compliance with the formal standards expected by local authorities;
- a faithful reproduction of the hierarchy of decisions and responsibilities.
At Legal 230, we work exclusively with expert legal translators trained in the subtleties of legal texts. Our approach guarantees legible, accurate and legally reliable output.
Case in point: a presentation to a German tax authority
Imagine that your French company opens a branch in Germany. The German authorities ask you for a copy of the minutes of the shareholders' meeting which authorized the opening. A mere approximate translation could result in the registration application being rejected, as there is no clear legal correspondence with German law.
Thanks to a specialized translation, including precise details of quorum, voting and decision-making powers, your file is validated without difficulty. This avoids administrative delays and possible litigation.
Entrust the translation of your general meeting minutes to specialists
The minutes of a shareholders' meeting are a founding document in the life of a company. Its translation cannot be entrusted to a general translator. You need a legal expert capable of faithfully transposing your legal strategy to the international market.
At Legal 230, we support legal professionals and legal departments in all their legal translation needs. Do you have a penalty notice to translate? Let's talk about it.
👉 Contact us for an accurate, compliant and secure translation of your general meeting minutes.