Civil Liability and Sworn Translation

Today, although it is somewhat complicated, we risk talking about this topic. We do this because we believe that it is good to make our profession and its characteristics are known. In addition to in-depth training and have passed an examination by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to be one, sworn translators have civil liability. The relevance and importance of the work of a sworn translator, therefore, passes through this burden.

What exactly is a civil liability?

In material terms, it is the obligation that a person, natural or legal, has to indemnify another. The reasons for this may be not having fulfilled a contract agreed with her (which is called contractual breach ), or for having caused other types of damage.

What happens is that on many occasions it  is subject to interpretations . A civil liability case can be, for example, when someone contracts a service and it is not provided. In that case it would be clear. However, someone can sue a doctor for not having done their job responsibly, as long as the doctor maintains that they have done so because they have followed their protocol. In such a case it would be more difficult to determine who is right.

Now, to what extent does civil liability affect translators? Let’s see it.

Sworn translators and civil liability

In the case of sworn translations, civil liability is related to the content of your translation. The content may have consequences that affect the resolution of a health procedure, the transmission of a good, the execution of the functions that are granted in a power of attorney, etc.

But why so much responsibility for the translator? Because when the sworn translator signs and stamps the translation, he assumes that the content corresponds to the original that has been presented to him.

How far does the translator’s civil liability go?

The sworn translator’s civil liability encompasses the content of the translation and the delivery deadline commitments. The fact that you have sworn and signed a translated document does not imply that you attest to the authenticity or veracity of the original. It is a matter that is often dealt with by notaries and other authorities.

Therefore, the responsibility for a sworn translation is summarized in what is certified: that the translation is faithful and complete. This means ─ never better said ─ that all the necessary information contained in the original is transmitted.