Dubai International Financial Centre is a financial free zone in the UAE, with English common law being the applicable law in a jurisdiction whose official language is Arabic in both court and government transactions. Translation problems arise due to this difference in the language used in such transactions.
That is why legal translation in DIFC is essential, and this requires translators with knowledge of the legal processes of English common law, DIFC Courts, and the particular requirements for MOJ-certified Arabic translations.
This article highlights the various aspects of legal translation in DIFC, including who needs legal translation, when it is required, and the translation company in DIFC that provides that kind of translations
Legal Translation Services in DIFC
The legal translation in DIFC covers the translation from English into Arabic or vice versa of legal, corporate, and regulatory documents without changing the legal meaning of the original document.
The translation must provide the exact legal meaning in the target language accurately without approximation or guessing because any error could misinterpret the original meaning, causing rejections and serious consequences.
At Alsun, a translation company in DIFC, the DIFC legal translation services we offer include:
- Certified translations for the purpose of submission in DIFC courts.
- Translation of corporate and commercial documents for DIFC-registered businesses.
- Regulatory translations for any filings related to DFSA.
- Translations that are fit for notarization for submission to governments and free zones.
- Bilingual translations of contracts keeping common law terms intact.
What Makes DIFC a Unique Legal Jurisdiction?
DIFC is more than just a business center; it has its jurisdiction. It has its own courts, laws of a civil and commercial nature inspired by English common law, and its regulator, the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), which is different from the UAE civil law framework applied in Dubai.
This means that the language difference is real. There is a clear difference in legal terms between English common law and UAE civil law, and this raises serious problems in translation. This means that the translator should translate the legal concept rather than a specific term.
Who Needs a Legal Translation Company in DIFC?
Legal translation in DIFC is mostly required for official procedures and transactions that need certified stamps and signatures to ensure the accuracy of the translation. Many individuals and businesses operating in DIFC need such a translation company in DIFC providing such a service, such as:
- Companies registered at DIFC dealing with contracts, HR policies, or shareholder documents
- Law firms that represent their clients in court cases or arbitrations before DIFC Courts
- Fintechs and financial institutions regulated by DFSA
- Individuals working for DIFC companies needing personal documents (diplomas, birth certificates, police clearance certificates) translated for visas or immigration purposes
- Foreign investors and corporate bodies that make cross-border deals with a DIFC company
Where Translation Services Are Used in DIFC
As we mentioned, legal translation is for official producers, here are the official authorities that require legal translation in DIFC:
- DIFC Courts: in pleadings, evidence and judgements, especially in cases of enforcement requiring crossover to Dubai Courts.
- DFSA filings: for financial entities that file their compliance or licensing paperwork.
- DIFC Registrar of Companies: for incorporation papers, licences, and other corporate filings.
- GDRFA and immigration departments: for visa applications related to employment at companies based in DIFC.
- Dubai Land Department (DLD): for DIFC companies or individuals conducting onshore property transactions.
Legal Documents We Translate in DIFC
Alsun Translation Company in DIFC has extensive experience in working with different authorities in the UAE, including the mentioned ones above, so we handle all types of documents and certificates required in DIFC and translate them accurately without any errors, including:
- Commercial agreements and shareholder agreements
- Articles of Association and Memorandum of Association
- Court documents and evidence
- Powers of Attorney
- Employment agreements
- Regulatory filings of DFSA-regulated companies
- Corporate Resolutions
- Personal documents such as birth certificate, marriage certificate, death certificate, degrees, police clearance certificates
- Property and lease agreements
- Declarations and Affidavits
Legal Translation for DIFC Courts
As it is known that DIFC courts run in English, this doesn’t mean that translation is not required at all. There are two main situations in which legal translation is a must:
First: The submission of foreign-language documents and evidence as part of the DIFC Courts process usually demands the translation of the document into English.
Second: If enforcement of a DIFC judgement at the Dubai Courts is involved, then the judgement, evidence, and all related contracts must be translated from English to Arabic by a translator licensed by the MOJ.
Legal translations regarding court matters are very critical and sensitive, as any mistake in formatting or terminology costs a lot. A certified legal translator must work on your documents to ensure their accuracy, compliance, and formatting to avoid any rejection or conflicts.
MOJ Certification — Is It Required for DIFC?
This question is partly answered in the previous section, but let us make the answer clearer and understandable. The truth of requiring MOJ-certified translation totally depends on the purpose itself.
All DIFC processes are in English; therefore MOJ certification is not always necessary for these cases, unless the submitted documents are in a foreign language other than English. In this case MOJ-certified translation is essential.
However, as soon as there is any contact of a DIFC case with any onshore UAE entity, from Dubai Courts, GDRFA, Dubai Land Department to federal bodies such as MOHRE, MOJ certification of an Arabic translation performed by a certified MOJ translator becomes a requirement, as it is stated by the official law of the UAE.
Legal Translation Company in DIFC
Let’s talk about legal translation offices in DIFC. The translation office in DIFC is a critical factor in the translation process, as the acceptance of documents depends on it. So, you have to choose the professional one that understands both sides of the legal fence, that of DIFC common law and English first, and that of the Arabic-first requirements of onshore Dubai.
The translation agency in DIFC should be capable of translating common and civil law legal terms properly, providing certified translations by the Ministry of Justice acceptable to Dubai courts and government agencies, formatting the documents to suit the needs of the particular recipient agency, handling both volume corporate and urgent single document requirements, and being capable of ensuring confidentiality of the translation.
For more than 15 years, Alsun, as a certified translation company in DIFC, has provided top-notch translation services in DIFC, Dubai, and across the UAE for both individuals and corporations. We combine the legal expertise and linguistic proficiency in more than 75 languages to meet the official requirements and the needs of the diverse here. From personal documents and certificates to contracts and court documents, we handle all types of documents accurately and efficiently.
How Our DIFC Legal Translation Process Works
Alsun has designed a straightforward and smooth workflow to ensure the accuracy of the legal translation in DIFC and to capture the errors which lead to rejection:
Document analysis
We analyse the document type, languages, and the institution to which the document will be submitted to know the certification requirement.
Assignment to an expert translator
Assigning documents to expert translators who have experience in DIFC, common law, or any other specific legal field.
Translation and terminology
Translation of legal documents is done by taking care of its meaning and effect, rather than translating words one by one, along with the consistency of terms used in related documents.
Certification and formatting
Where necessary, the translation is certified and formatted to meet DIFC Courts’ or Dubai Courts’ or receiving authority’s guidelines.
Quality Check
The translated document is reviewed by another linguist to ensure its correctness and completeness.
Document Delivery
We deliver the document to you online as a PDF or by courier, or you receive it in person from our branch.
Why Choose Alsun?
Alsun Translation Company in DIFC has more than 15 years of experience in UAE legal translations, including the requirements of DIFC, DIFC Courts, Dubai Courts, and legal entities, because they are certified by the Ministry of Justice in the UAE.
Our translators not only have a good command of legal terminology but are also well aware of the interaction between common law and civil law, which is exactly what is required for DIFC-related translations.
We translate for DIFC-registered firms, law firms, financial organizations, and private clients, ensuring the accuracy of translations. We also ensure that the format of the document is ready for the immediate acceptance of your document.
Conclusion
Legal translation in DIFC comes with the requirement to have knowledge about both jurisdictions involved, and doing it successfully requires familiarity with both. To obtain such a translation that is correct and up to the requirements of the authority you send it to, you should contact Alsun, the leading legal translation company in DIFC and Dubai that has the MOJ certification for legally valid and recognized translations accepted at the first time.
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FAQ
Does DIFC require Arabic translation for its own courts and filings?
No. Since DIFC operates in English, it will be unnecessary to translate into Arabic any document that is processed entirely through DIFC Courts, DFSA, and DIFC Registrar of Companies.
When do I need an MOJ-certified translation for a DIFC-related matter?
When it concerns legal matters and documents like court judgements made by DIFC Courts in Dubai Courts, obtaining a visa, or registering real estate in the Dubai Land Department, or other purposes.
What types of documents does Alsun translate for DIFC clients?
We translate commercial contracts, court pleadings and judgements, powers of attorney, corporate documents, regulatory filings, employment contracts, and personal documents such as certificates and degrees.
How long does DIFC legal translation Dubai take?
The turnaround time will depend on the length of the document, but the average turnaround time is 24-48 hours for normal documents.
