ISO 20771:2020 Legal Translation — Requirements
ISO 20771:2020 is an international standard that specifies requirements for legal translation services. It provides a comprehensive framework to ensure the quality, accuracy, and professionalism of legal translation services, which are crucial for legal proceedings and documentation.
Key Aspects of ISO 20771:2020
- Objective:
- To establish requirements and best practices for legal translation services, ensuring their reliability and quality.
- Scope:
- Applicable to all entities providing legal translation services, including freelance translators, translation agencies, and in-house legal translation departments.
- Benefits:
- Ensures consistent and high-quality legal translation services.
- Enhances client and stakeholder confidence and satisfaction.
- Demonstrates adherence to internationally recognized standards.
- Promotes continuous improvement and professional development.
Requirements and Implementation
1. Competence and Qualifications:
- Translator Competence: Legal translators must possess advanced linguistic skills, comprehensive knowledge of legal terminology, and expertise in both the source and target legal systems.
- Qualifications and Certification: Translators should have relevant qualifications and certifications in legal translation. Continuous professional development and training are essential.
2. Professional Practice:
- Code of Ethics: Translators should adhere to a professional code of ethics, which includes principles such as confidentiality, impartiality, accuracy, and integrity.
- Professional Conduct: Translators must maintain professional behavior and respect all parties involved in the legal process.
3. Service Provision:
- Preparation: Translators should prepare thoroughly for assignments by reviewing legal documents, understanding the context, and familiarizing themselves with relevant legal terminology.
- Accuracy and Completeness: Translators must provide accurate and complete translations, ensuring that the meaning and legal effect of the original text are preserved.
- Confidentiality: Translators must maintain the confidentiality of all information and legal documents obtained during the translation assignment.
4. Client Relationship:
- Client Requirements: Clearly define and document client requirements and expectations for each legal translation assignment.
- Communication: Maintain clear and effective communication with clients and other stakeholders to ensure all requirements are understood and met.
- Feedback Mechanisms: Establish mechanisms for receiving and addressing client feedback to improve future translation services.
5. Quality Assurance and Continuous Improvement:
- Monitoring and Evaluation: Regularly monitor and evaluate the quality of translation services through feedback from clients and stakeholders.
- Continuous Improvement: Use feedback and evaluation results to make ongoing improvements to translation services.
- Professional Development: Encourage ongoing professional development and training to ensure translators remain current with relevant skills and knowledge.
6. Technical Resources:
- Tools and Technology: Ensure translators have access to appropriate tools and technology, such as translation memory systems, terminology databases, and other resources necessary for effective legal translation.
- Data Security: Implement robust data security measures to protect sensitive legal information and documents related to translation assignments.
Certification Process
- Preparation:
- Understand the requirements of ISO 20771:2020 and assess the current processes and practices of your organization or individual practice.
- Gap Analysis:
- Conduct a gap analysis to identify areas that need improvement to meet the standard’s requirements.
- Implementation:
- Develop and implement procedures and practices that align with ISO 20771:2020. Ensure all translators and staff involved are trained and aware of these procedures.
- Internal Audit:
- Conduct internal audits to verify the effectiveness of the implemented processes and identify any areas needing improvement.
- Management Review:
- Perform regular management reviews to assess the suitability, adequacy, and effectiveness of the legal translation services.
- Certification Audit:
- Engage an accredited certification body to perform an external audit. The audit will be conducted in two stages:
- Stage 1: Review of documentation to ensure compliance with ISO 20771:2020.
- Stage 2: On-site audit to verify the implementation of processes and procedures.
- Engage an accredited certification body to perform an external audit. The audit will be conducted in two stages:
- Certification Decision:
- Based on the audit findings, the certification body will decide whether to grant ISO 20771:2020 certification.
- Surveillance Audits:
- Periodic surveillance audits are conducted to ensure ongoing compliance with ISO 20771:2020.
- Recertification:
- The certification is typically valid for three years, after which a recertification audit is required.
ISO 20771:2020 Legal Translation — Requirements
ISO 20771:2020 is an international standard that specifies requirements for legal translation services. It provides a comprehensive framework to ensure the quality, accuracy, and professionalism of legal translation services, which are crucial for legal proceedings and documentation.
Key Aspects of ISO 20771:2020
- Objective:
- To establish requirements and best practices for legal translation services, ensuring their reliability and quality.
- Scope:
- Applicable to all entities providing legal translation services, including freelance translators, translation agencies, and in-house legal translation departments.
- Benefits:
- Ensures consistent and high-quality legal translation services.
- Enhances client and stakeholder confidence and satisfaction.
- Demonstrates adherence to internationally recognized standards.
- Promotes continuous improvement and professional development.
Requirements and Implementation
1. Competence and Qualifications:
- Translator Competence: Legal translators must possess advanced linguistic skills, comprehensive knowledge of legal terminology, and expertise in both the source and target legal systems.
- Qualifications and Certification: Translators should have relevant qualifications and certifications in legal translation. Continuous professional development and training are essential.
2. Professional Practice:
- Code of Ethics: Translators should adhere to a professional code of ethics, which includes principles such as confidentiality, impartiality, accuracy, and integrity.
- Professional Conduct: Translators must maintain professional behavior and respect all parties involved in the legal process.
3. Service Provision:
- Preparation: Translators should prepare thoroughly for assignments by reviewing legal documents, understanding the context, and familiarizing themselves with relevant legal terminology.
- Accuracy and Completeness: Translators must provide accurate and complete translations, ensuring that the meaning and legal effect of the original text are preserved.
- Confidentiality: Translators must maintain the confidentiality of all information and legal documents obtained during the translation assignment.
4. Client Relationship:
- Client Requirements: Clearly define and document client requirements and expectations for each legal translation assignment.
- Communication: Maintain clear and effective communication with clients and other stakeholders to ensure all requirements are understood and met.
- Feedback Mechanisms: Establish mechanisms for receiving and addressing client feedback to improve future translation services.
5. Quality Assurance and Continuous Improvement:
- Monitoring and Evaluation: Regularly monitor and evaluate the quality of translation services through feedback from clients and stakeholders.
- Continuous Improvement: Use feedback and evaluation results to make ongoing improvements to translation services.
- Professional Development: Encourage ongoing professional development and training to ensure translators remain current with relevant skills and knowledge.
6. Technical Resources:
- Tools and Technology: Ensure translators have access to appropriate tools and technology, such as translation memory systems, terminology databases, and other resources necessary for effective legal translation.
- Data Security: Implement robust data security measures to protect sensitive legal information and documents related to translation assignments.
Certification Process
- Preparation:
- Understand the requirements of ISO 20771:2020 and assess the current processes and practices of your organization or individual practice.
- Gap Analysis:
- Conduct a gap analysis to identify areas that need improvement to meet the standard’s requirements.
- Implementation:
- Develop and implement procedures and practices that align with ISO 20771:2020. Ensure all translators and staff involved are trained and aware of these procedures.
- Internal Audit:
- Conduct internal audits to verify the effectiveness of the implemented processes and identify any areas needing improvement.
- Management Review:
- Perform regular management reviews to assess the suitability, adequacy, and effectiveness of the legal translation services.
- Certification Audit:
- Engage an accredited certification body to perform an external audit. The audit will be conducted in two stages:
- Stage 1: Review of documentation to ensure compliance with ISO 20771:2020.
- Stage 2: On-site audit to verify the implementation of processes and procedures.
- Engage an accredited certification body to perform an external audit. The audit will be conducted in two stages:
- Certification Decision:
- Based on the audit findings, the certification body will decide whether to grant ISO 20771:2020 certification.
- Surveillance Audits:
- Periodic surveillance audits are conducted to ensure ongoing compliance with ISO 20771:2020.
- Recertification:
- The certification is typically valid for three years, after which a recertification audit is required.
![Legal Translation Requirements Legal Translation Requirements](https://iqc-vienna.com/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/Legal-Translation-Requirements-landscape.jpeg)
Why i-LICS Certification?
ISO 20771:2020 provides a comprehensive framework for ensuring the quality and professionalism of legal translation services. By adhering to this standard, translators and service providers can enhance their credibility, improve client satisfaction, and demonstrate their commitment to maintaining high standards in legal translation. This standard benefits all parties involved by ensuring accurate, reliable, and ethical translation services in legal contexts.
![Legal Translation Requirements Legal Translation Requirements](https://iqc-vienna.com/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/Legal-Translation-Requirements-landscape.jpeg)
Why i-LICS Certification?
ISO 20771:2020 provides a comprehensive framework for ensuring the quality and professionalism of legal translation services. By adhering to this standard, translators and service providers can enhance their credibility, improve client satisfaction, and demonstrate their commitment to maintaining high standards in legal translation. This standard benefits all parties involved by ensuring accurate, reliable, and ethical translation services in legal contexts.
Need help? Book a meeting at a time to suit your schedule
If you need assistance, we're here to help! You can book a call with us at a time that suits your schedule. Simply let us know your availability. Whether you have questions, need guidance, or require assistance with our services, we're committed to ensuring you receive the help you need. Contact us today to schedule your call!
Certification Milestones
-
Free strategic meeting
-
Your tailored proposal
-
Confirmation
-
Stage 1 Audit date
-
Stage 2 Audit date (Certification)
-
Obtain your Certificate
Need help? Book a meeting at a time to suit your schedule
If you need assistance, we're here to help! You can book a call with us at a time that suits your schedule. Simply let us know your availability. Whether you have questions, need guidance, or require assistance with our services, we're committed to ensuring you receive the help you need. Contact us today to schedule your call!
Certification Milestones
-
Free strategic meeting
-
Your tailored proposal
-
Confirmation
-
Stage 1 Audit date
-
Stage 2 Audit date (Certification)
-
Obtain your Certificate