Law firms may see documents in a variety of languages when compiling a case. In order to reduce costs, some firms may consider using a machine translation service to get the work done sooner and at a better rate. However, there are questions that arise here, even including whether or not machine translations could violate confidentiality agreements. In a post written earlier this year on the legal blog, Above the Law, a writer asked these questions and the results were actually astounding. According to the writer's research, a machine translation, like one from Google Translation, is dangerous when dealing with legal documents because:
Google, according to its Term and Conditions, can use the translation for many different functions. Google can actually distribute the translated content if it wishes. This raises questions on whether or not the content translated is actually confidential if Google is given a license to do with it as it wishes.
In addition to that, counsel that uses Google Translation does not know what exactly is in the document until it has been translated. Therefore, lawyers may put confidential information at risk without even knowing that the information is confidential.
It's for this reason why law firms may want to stick with using foreign language translation services comprised of actual human experts that can not only protect the confidentiality of the content in the document, but ensure that the content translated is completely correct. A good firm will not only have a quick turnaround with the legal documents that need to be translated; it will also ensure that translators with expertise in the specific legal field and target language are used.
Although it might be cheaper to use a machine translation, the potential consequences involved, including a potential lawsuit or withdrawal of the case, are too rich to play around with. It makes much more sense to use a quality foreign language translation firm instead.
Google, according to its Term and Conditions, can use the translation for many different functions. Google can actually distribute the translated content if it wishes. This raises questions on whether or not the content translated is actually confidential if Google is given a license to do with it as it wishes.
In addition to that, counsel that uses Google Translation does not know what exactly is in the document until it has been translated. Therefore, lawyers may put confidential information at risk without even knowing that the information is confidential.
It's for this reason why law firms may want to stick with using foreign language translation services comprised of actual human experts that can not only protect the confidentiality of the content in the document, but ensure that the content translated is completely correct. A good firm will not only have a quick turnaround with the legal documents that need to be translated; it will also ensure that translators with expertise in the specific legal field and target language are used.
Although it might be cheaper to use a machine translation, the potential consequences involved, including a potential lawsuit or withdrawal of the case, are too rich to play around with. It makes much more sense to use a quality foreign language translation firm instead.