Choose the documents and languages
A European framework agreement may use an English master and several local-language schedules. Identify which documents form the operative set and whether the schedules modify master definitions.
Record the status of every translation. A working translation and an executed language version serve different purposes and should not be treated interchangeably in the review.
Build the term register
For each important term, capture the source expression, definition, location, language, and proposed equivalent. Include capitalisation and abbreviations when they affect how the term is used.
Prioritise terms connected to scope, payment, acceptance, liability, and termination. A comprehensive word list is less useful than a reviewed register of terms that change obligations.
Work through an acceptance mismatch
Suppose the master defines acceptance through a formal procedure, while a translated schedule uses the same English label for receipt of goods. The mismatch may change a payment trigger or remedy.
Compare the operative clauses and ask the commercial and legal owners to confirm the intended meaning. Do not resolve the issue with a global search-and-replace before checking each use.
Check references after correction
When a definition changes, inspect dependent clauses, annexes, tables, and cross-references. A corrected term can leave a schedule referring to a procedure that no longer matches.
Use AI assistance to locate candidate uses, then verify the results against the documents. Keep a list of unreadable or unsupported material so the team understands the search boundary.
Preserve the approved terminology
Save the agreed term register with the final contract set and note any language-specific qualifications. It can support later amendments and translation instructions without pretending that one equivalent works in every context.
For legal terminology whose effect depends on local law, obtain appropriate advice and cite the relevant source. Document control and translation consistency improve the review but do not settle the legal interpretation.
Sources and next steps
This is an editorial workflow guide for legal professionals. The suggested checks are our practical recommendations, not a statement that a regulator requires a particular software workflow.
Explore Translation and Drafting, or review Judicio's regional coverage and limitations. Check the underlying source and your organisation's approved process before relying on an output.