What are legal contracts and agreements?
The terms “contract” and “agreement” are generally used interchangeably, but legally they are two different things. A contract is a legally binding agreement between two or more persons/parties as an instrument for the economic exchange of goods and services. An agreement is simply an understanding or arrangement between two or more parties that do not include a financial exchange.
Unlike other agreements, a contract is a legally binding promise that guarantees that the suffering party can call upon the courts and demand financial compensation for damages if the other party refuses to fulfil its promise without a valid reason recognized by law.
For a contract to be valid and therefore legally binding, an agreement must have all of the following five characteristics:
- The Offer: A verbal or written promise to take some action or to refrain from acting in exchange for a set of agreed-upon terms.
- Acceptance: The person receiving the offer must voluntarily agree to the conditions of the offer.
- Consideration: Both parties must agree upon the value that each party brings to a contract. The value might be monetary or may take the form of a promise to carry out a particular act.
- Mutuality of Obligation: The mutuality of obligation is the binding agreement between the parties to the terms of consideration. It is also essential for both parties to hold an equal amount of leverage, such as a right to cancel. If the court decides that the mutuality of obligation has not been met, the contract can be invalidated.
- Contractual Capacity: The parties agreeing to a contract must be competent (i.e. they must be of sound mind, legal age, and unencumbered by drugs or alcohol).
While it is not a part of the essential elements of a legally binding contract, certain aspects are also required for a contract:
- Legal Intent: A contract must have a lawful purpose to be enforceable, and it must also concern a specific and agreed-upon good or service.
- Written documentation: Some types of contracts, including those to transfer or sell land, sell goods worth $500 or more, related to the subject of marriage, and those that cannot be completed entirely during the one year after signing, must be in writing.
On the other hand, an agreement refers to an informal arrangement, often exchanged orally between two or more parties. The parties simply consent to do or refrain from doing something. Unlike a contract, an agreement cannot be enforced in court since nothing requires the parties to adhere to the terms of the agreement aside from the honour system.
Why do I need a certified translation of my contracts and agreements?
Legal contracts and agreements are often vague and full of loopholes, which is why it’s imperative to make sure it is adequately translated. The best way to ensure a translation is completed accurately is to work with a certified translator trained in translating legal documents. Otherwise, a minor misuse of vocabulary could create confusion or be open to misinterpretation.
Keep in mind that legal contracts and agreements relate to the law of the land where they were initially written. This is why it is essential to work with competent legal translators familiar with legal terminology and local law, as they are subject to constant change and revision.
If the contract or agreement is not in English or French, you will need to have it translated by a certified translator. You will need a certified translation of your contracts and agreements because most institutions, if not all, that require you to present your contracts and agreements are formal institutions (e.g. Government institutions, legal services, educational institutions, business and financial institutions etc.). These institutions require the most accurate translation available, and the best way to ensure that is to obtain certified translations.
Langia offers certified translation services of contracts and agreements in 107 languages into English or French. You can upload your contracts and agreements by clicking the link below.
How can I get my contracts and agreements translated?
Contracts and agreements are almost always used for legal purposes, so they must be translated by a certified translator. A certified translator is a unique and reserved title for qualified individuals who have registered with translators’ association in their state or province (ex. ATIO, ATIA, STIBC, ATA) and subscribed to the association's code of professional ethics.
Read our blog to learn more about the different types of certifications available in translation services.
On the rare occasion that a certified translator is not available (ex. There are no certified translators for a specific language combination), an affidavit of translation or a notarized translation may be accepted by most institutions. However, make sure to contact the institution to which you will submit the translated documents to ensure your translations will be accepted if a certified translator cannot complete them.
How can I send my contracts and agreements to a translator?
If your documents are not in English or French, you will have to produce a certified translation of all of these documents in English or French.
To get your contracts and agreements translated into English or French, you can :
- Send the hard copy of your contracts and agreements to a translator or translation agency. However, this option may be risky because the document can end up in the wrong hands or get lost on the way.
- Email the translator or the translation agency a scan of the original copy of your document. While this option is safer and much more efficient than sending a hard copy document, it still requires a lot of back and forth between you and the translator or agent if working with a translation agency.
- Upload your contracts and agreements on the Langia app or website. This is the most efficient and secure way to send your documents to a translator. There are no third-party operators that look over your confidential documents, no back and forth emails that could take hours or days to conclude.
With the Langia app, all you have to do is upload your documents and select when you wish to have the translator complete your document. With this information, you will be able to see the cost of the project. Next, all you have to do is select a translator to complete your request: no unnecessary dialogue, confidentiality or security issues, or unresponsive translators and agencies.
How much does it cost to obtain a certified translation of legal contracts and agreements?
A certified translation of contracts and agreements can cost around CAD$0.25-0.67 per word, depending on various factors, including turnaround time, the rarity of the language, certification, and location.
Average translation agencies require you to email a scanned copy of your contracts and agreements before they can provide a quote. They may even require back and forth communication via email before they accurately determine the exact price.
Lucky for you, unnecessary communication is in the past with Langia. Now you can instantly upload your contracts and agreements on the Langia website or app and select a few essential details about your project (ex. due date, certification, source and target language) to see the price immediately. The best part is that you get to decide the due date and time. So, if you need to have your contracts and agreements translated by the end of today, then that is what you shall have! No more back and forth emails with numerous parties to simply get the price of your translated contracts and agreements.
With Langia, it takes less time to submit a document for translation than to get a quote from an average translation agency or professional translator.
Upload your contracts and agreements now to get a quote instantly!
Where can I find Legal Contracts and Agreements translation services near me?
Almost all translators and translation agencies provide online services. Although a hard copy may be required in rare cases, the interaction between a customer and translator or agency almost always takes place online. The internet brings together customers and translators across the globe and provides a medium to work together despite physical boundaries.
For example, if you live in Toronto and require a translation of an essay from English to Hindi, you can find hundreds of translators within Canada and thousands worldwide. Although it may be compelling to work with a translator who charges thirteen cents per word, it may not always be the wisest option.
With any translation service provider, quality must always be your top priority. This is especially important if you require certified translations. As a resident of Toronto, you can work with translators certified by other provinces within Canada, such as ATIA (The Association of Translators and Interpreters of Alberta) or STIBC (Society of Translators and Interpreters of British Columbia). However, translators living in another county (except the USA) are not accepted as certified translators in Canada, meaning their work will not be accepted as a certified translation.
Langia provides professional translation services throughout Canada. You can get your contracts and agreements translated in Toronto, Ontario, without hassle.
If you wish to get your contracts and agreements translated by a certified translator in your province, click the link below to upload your document and instantly receive a free quote. Once you enter the details of your document (ex. source and target language, due date, certification), you can select a certified translator who will have your document ready by the turnaround time.
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