Common use of Commercial Translation Agencies Clause in Contracts

Commercial Translation Agencies. It is recommended that commercial agencies used should be well-established organisations that engage only qualified translators belonging to professional language bodies, and include within their service such elements as proof reading and checking. The ITI website includes a listing of Translation Agencies which are members of ITI and have met ITI registration criteria. [Note: If general outsourcing of translation services is being considered, the guidance contained in Annex F of this Agreement should be consulted.] Commissioning a translator Define: - length of source text - subject matter - level of technicality - purpose of translation, such as evidential, background information, etc - deadline - formatting and lay-out required - security considerations Once the translator has agreed their availability, then proceed to: - agree fees. These are usually based on a price per thousand words, plus a charge for checking, proof reading and any special presentation required (see ACPO and/or government rates for translation) - identify a contact point through which the translator can clarify any ambiguities or technical terms in the text - identify a delivery point and method eg by e-mail - agree how non-equivalencies should be dealt with eg if the term “probation” may not exist in another language, is it to be explained within the body of the text or as a footnote - agree level of security, ie any requirement of encryption of electronic text, signed-for letter, etc - exchange a letter of agreement that includes terms of payment within 30 days. Notes

Commercial Translation Agencies. It is recommended that commercial agencies used should be well-established organisations that engage only qualified translators belonging to professional language bodies, and include within their service such elements as proof reading and checking. The ITI website includes a listing of Translation Agencies which are members of ITI and have met ITI registration criteria. [Note: If general outsourcing of translation services is being considered, the guidance contained in Annex F of this Agreement should be consulted.] Commissioning a translator Define: - • length of source text - • subject matter - • level of technicality - • purpose of translation, such as evidential, background information, etc - • deadline - • formatting and lay-out required - • security considerations Once the translator has agreed their availability, then proceed to: - • agree fees. These are usually based on a price per thousand words, plus a charge for checking, proof reading and any special presentation required (see ACPO and/or government rates for translation) - • identify a contact point through which the translator can clarify any ambiguities or technical terms in the text - • identify a delivery point and method eg by e-mail - • agree how non-equivalencies should be dealt with eg if the term “probation” may not exist in another language, is it to be explained within the body of the text or as a footnote - • agree level of security, ie any requirement of encryption of electronic text, signed-for letter, etc - • exchange a letter of agreement that includes terms of payment within 30 days. Notes.