Legal
Legal translation services you can rely on
In legal documents, one wrong term can change the meaning. We translate contracts, patents and official documents between Japanese, English and other Asian languages with consistent defined terms and strict attention to confidentiality.
What is legal translation?
Legal translation is the translation of contracts, patents, corporate records and official documents where a single term can change the meaning or the obligation. Green Sun translates legal documents between Japanese, English and other Asian languages, keeping defined terms consistent from the first clause to the last.
At a glance
- Typical documents: contracts and agreements, patents and specifications, corporate documents, compliance policies and more
- Language pairs: Japanese and English in both directions, plus Southeast and Central Asian languages
- Review: a specialist translates, a second linguist reviews, and QA tools check terms and formatting
- Offices: Tokyo, Japan and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Quote: a reply within 30 minutes and a full quotation the same day
Why it matters
Why legal translation matters
Legal text is written to be precise. Translation has to preserve that precision, or the document may not do what it was meant to do.
01
Contracts must mean the same everywhere
Parties on both sides rely on the wording. Defined terms, conditions and obligations must carry over exactly.
02
Filings and official use
Courts, agencies and registries expect a particular register and structure.
03
Disputes start with wording
Ambiguity in translation is a common source of disagreement. Clear, consistent terms reduce the risk.
What we translate
Legal documents we translate
Every document is translated with its purpose and audience in mind.
Contracts and agreements
Commercial contracts, NDAs, licensing, employment and service agreements.
Patents and specifications
Specifications, claims and related filings.
Corporate documents
Articles, minutes, resolutions and corporate records.
Compliance and policies
Codes of conduct, internal rules and regulatory policies.
Terms and privacy notices
Website terms, privacy policies and consumer terms.
Litigation support documents
Correspondence, statements and supporting material for review.
Official documents and certificates
Registry extracts, certificates and administrative documents.
Immigration and personal documents
Application files and supporting records.
Why choose Green Sun for legal translation
Quality control, fair rates, a fast quotation and specialist linguists, from the first file to the last.
Strict quality control
Every project undergoes a 3-step review process, combining native-language experts and advanced QA tools to ensure high accuracy and faster turnaround. For legal files, defined terms are fixed in a glossary and checked across the whole document set during review.
Affordable rates
We offer high-quality services at competitive prices and are the go-to outsourcing partner for many reputable translation companies.
A response within 30 minutes
Reach out to us and receive a reply within 30 minutes, with a full quotation delivered the same day, even for urgent requests. Tell us the intended use, such as filing, signing or reference, and we reply with a quote and a plan.
Specialized expertise in legal translation
Our linguists work with contracts, patents and corporate documents, where defined terms, cross-references and numbering must carry over exactly.
Asian language coverage
Japanese and English lead, with Southeast and Central Asian languages through one project manager, so multi-country agreements use the same terms in every version.
Format and file care
Numbering, clauses and tables are kept intact, and files come back in the format you use so the document works as a whole.
The challenges
Understanding the challenges of legal translation
What makes this content harder than ordinary text, and how we handle it.
1
Defined terms
A term defined once must be rendered the same way every time. We fix it in a glossary and enforce it across the set.
2
Different legal systems
Concepts do not always have an equivalent. We choose wording that conveys the concept and flag points for your counsel.
3
Confidentiality
Legal files are sensitive. Tell us your requirements before you send files and we will confirm how we handle them.
4
Document structure
Numbering, cross-references and formatting must stay intact so the document works as a whole.
Our legal translation process
A clear path from first file to final delivery.
How a project works
Request a quote
Send your files or a short description with the language pair, field and deadline.
Scope and glossary
We confirm scope, agree terminology and collect any glossary or earlier translations.
Assign specialists
The project goes to linguists who work with this kind of content.
Translate and review
A second linguist reviews the translation, and QA tools check terms and formatting.
Format and deliver
Files are returned in the format you use, with layout checked.
Feedback and reuse
Approved text is stored in your translation memory, so the next project starts from it.
What we need from you
- Source documents in their final or near-final form
- Any definitions, precedents or earlier translations
- Intended use, for example filing, signing or reference
- Target jurisdiction, languages and deadline
Not sure what to send? Describe the project and we will tell you.
Languages
Legal in Japanese, English and Asian languages
Japanese and English lead, with Southeast Asian and Central Asian languages handled through the same project manager.
FAQ
Legal translation FAQ
What is legal translation?
Legal translation is the translation of documents with legal effect, such as contracts, patents, corporate records and policies. Because wording defines rights and obligations, terms must be rendered consistently and the structure of the document must be preserved.
Do you provide certified or sworn translations?
Requirements differ by country and receiving authority. A certified translation usually comes with a signed statement that it is complete and accurate, and some authorities also require a notary or apostille. Tell us who will receive the document and where, and we confirm in the quote what we can provide.
How do you handle confidential legal documents?
Share your confidentiality requirements before sending files, such as an NDA or restrictions on who may access the documents, and we confirm how the project will be handled before work starts.
Can you keep defined terms consistent across many contracts?
Yes. We build a glossary from your definitions and use a translation memory across the whole document set, so a term defined once is translated the same way every time.
Do you translate patents?
Yes. We translate patent specifications and claims between Japanese, English and other Asian languages. Send the specification and any term lists you already use, and we plan the project around them.
Can a translation replace legal advice?
No. A translation conveys the content of a document. Where legal systems have no exact equivalent, we choose wording that conveys the concept and flag the point so your counsel can decide.
How do I request a legal translation quote?
Use our quote form or contact page and include the language pair, the type of document, the deadline and the files if you have them. We reply with a quote and a plan.
What affects the cost of legal translation?
Length, language pair, subject complexity, formatting needs and deadline. Send the files and we will quote after reviewing them.
Have contracts or legal documents to translate?
Tell us the language pair, the field and the deadline. We will reply with a quote and a plan.