Identify the source before translating its meaning

A Swiss research file can contain German, French, Italian, and English material from different sources and dates. An English summary is convenient for an international team, but its presence does not establish its status or make it interchangeable with the source text.

Record the publisher, instrument or decision identifier, provision reference, language, and version date. Fedlex is an official starting point for federal legislation. Check the source's own information about versions and language status, and use appropriate cantonal or court sources when the question calls for them.

Align versions before comparing language

Two passages may differ because they come from different dates rather than because of translation. Establish the relevant date for the matter, then align the source versions before asking what a terminology difference means.

  • Version: identify the text and amendment state used.
  • Provision: retain article, paragraph, and subparagraph references.
  • Language: record the original and working language.
  • Translation: label machine output and human revisions.
  • Review: identify who checked any point affecting the conclusion.

Build a matter-specific terminology record

For a recurring concept, preserve the source term, its immediate context, the proposed English rendering, and the reason for choosing it. A term that looks familiar to an English-law lawyer may carry a different function in the Swiss source.

Suppose a translated clause uses the same English word for two distinct source expressions. Ask the translator or qualified reviewer to examine the distinction, then update the terminology record. Do not resolve the issue by globally replacing words across the document. The context may require different treatment in a definition, an obligation, and a remedy.

Check the passages that carry the legal conclusion

Prioritise operative wording, exceptions, cross-references, dates, amounts, and conditions. Compare the working translation beside the source. For scanned material, confirm that the recognised text did not omit a negative, footnote, or paragraph break before evaluating the translation.

Judicio's Translation workflow helps with side-by-side document review. It does not certify a translation or determine which text controls a filing or transaction. Confirm any certification, language, and submission requirements with the responsible professional and receiving body. Keep the unreviewed output clearly labelled while that work is incomplete.

Hand over the language assumptions with the analysis

The final note should cite the underlying source and state the language and version reviewed. When a conclusion depends on a disputed translation, identify the unresolved point rather than giving an unqualified English paraphrase.

Give cross-border colleagues the relevant source extracts, approved translations, and terminology decisions. Preserve both source and translation references when exporting a memo. This makes later review possible without forcing the next lawyer to guess which text supported the original reasoning. Recheck the source version if the matter continues after an amendment or corrected publication.

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 Legal Research and Translation, or review Judicio's regional coverage and limitations. Check the underlying source and your organisation's approved process before relying on an output.