Q1075. What specialized legal steps apply to international arbitration case file translations?

Answered by the NYC Visa & Translation certified translation team

International arbitration case files are the most demanding litigation translation category because the award's enforceability can turn on document handling. The Thai context: Thailand is a New York Convention state, so foreign awards are enforced through Thai courts, and the enforcement application requires the award and the arbitration agreement translated into Thai and certified — the court examines the translation, and the respondent can challenge it. For arbitrations seated in Thailand (TAI or THAC administered, or ad hoc), the proceeding language is set by the parties; where it is English, Thai-language evidence needs English translation for the tribunal, and vice versa. Practice rules: the translation of the award itself must be complete — every page, including dissenting opinions and cost allocations, because enforcement covers the whole instrument; witness statements and expert reports are translated with the translator identified, since evidentiary weight can be attacked through translation accuracy; exhibits are translated with exhibit numbering preserved exactly so the record stays navigable; and for document production, the parties commonly agree a translation protocol (which documents, which languages, certification level) early in the procedural timetable. Timing: a full award translation takes 1–3 weeks depending on length; case-file volumes are usually managed with a translation team under a confidentiality undertaking. Caution: machine translation of evidence without human review has drawn tribunal criticism in published practice — use qualified legal translators. Confirm the tribunal's or court's translation requirements at the procedural stage.