In an increasingly globalized legal environment, powers of attorney and mandates circulate across borders. If you're a lawyer, notary or in-house counsel, you've no doubt already been faced with the need to have these documents translated. But beware: translation is more than just a linguistic exercise. It involves major legal issues.
Essential corporate law documents
Powers of attorney enable one individual or legal entity to act on behalf of another. They are essential for :
- represent a company at a general meeting,
- sign deeds on behalf of an entity,
- conduct legal transactions abroad,
- or appoint a representative in the event of litigation.
A translation error, a misinterpreted term or a poorly worded power of attorney can render a document inadmissible. Worse still, it may call into question its validity before a foreign authority.
A technical translation that's both controlled and demanding
Translating a power of attorney is more than just transposing words. It means rendering legal concepts with precision. This involves :
- mastery of the relevant legal systems,
- knowledge of the exact terminological equivalents,
- particular attention to the wording of powers (general, special, limited, etc.),
- and the faithful reproduction of mandatory information (representation formulas, revocation clauses, duration conditions, etc.).
For example, the notion of power of attorney in Anglo-Saxon law does not always translate into power of attorney: its scope may be broader or different depending on the context.
A case in point: a cross-border tax dispute
Let's take the case of a French company needing to justify to a German tax authority a mandate given to a local representative. The original document is drafted in French, and must be produced in German. Any approximation could invalidate the procedure, lengthen deadlines or result in a penalty. Only a specialized legal translation can guarantee that the document complies with local requirements.
Why use an expert translator in corporate law?
Because you can't afford a mistake. Translators specializing in corporate law understand what's at stake with your documents. They know :
- adapt content to the legal culture of the target country,
- rigorously translate sensitive clauses,
- and restore the legal force of the terms used.
It's this expertise that we bring to every Legal 230 assignment.
Entrust your translations to legal professionals
Do you need to have powers of attorney or mandates translated for a customer, a foreign subsidiary or as part of a legal case? Our team is here to support you with responsiveness, confidentiality and precision.
👉 Contact Legal 230 for a reliable and compliant legal translation.