Expert translation of M&A deals as a strategic advantage for law firms

In mergers and acquisitions (M&A), precision is paramount. Overlooking even the smallest detail can derail a deal. When your client expands across borders, especially in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), expert legal translation isn’t just about overcoming a language barrier.

It’s a strategic advantage that can determine the speed, compliance, and ultimate success of a transaction.

For law firms managing M&A in highly regulated or technical industries such as manufacturing, medtech, or IT, accurate translation of legal and technical documentation is mission-critical.

In this blog, we’ll share:

A real case from a German–Slovenian cross-border deal
Why legal translation is so much more than a linguistic task
Three proven strategies law firms use to ensure quality, compliance, and peace of mind

Did you know? PwC’s 2023 M&A Integration Survey highlights that 59% of respondents name communication as the main driver for effective change management within M&A integration, demonstrating its central role.

Real-World Case: German–Slovenian Manufacturing Deal

One of our partner law firms was handling an acquisition between a German manufacturer and a Slovenian supplier of automotive machine parts. The industry was complex. The paperwork? Even more so.

On the table:

80+ documents
3 languages: German, Slovenian, English
Legal and regulatory content
Technical manuals and machinery specs
Licensing agreements and IP documentation

Each document had to be:

Technically accurate
Legally compliant with EU and Slovenian regulations
Sworn for court use

Translat deployed a multilingual team of certified legal and technical translators. The result?

Accurate IP translation aligned with EPO and national law
Correctly localized technical terms for machine setup
Sworn translations ready for immediate filing

Translat coordinated a multilingual team of legal and technical translators, each with sector-specific expertise. We ensured:

Precise IP translations reflecting EPO and Slovenian law
Accurate machine setup instructions vital for post-deal integration
Court-compliant sworn translations for official filings

The deal closed without a glitch, on time, in compliance, and with full clarity across all legal teams. This outcome, achieved despite the complexity and scale of documentation, prevented delays, legal disputes, and financial setbacks often seen in cross-border M&A.

Why Legal Translation Matters in M&A

In cross-border deals, translation errors are not just clerical; they’re legal liabilities. Misinterpreted clauses, inconsistent terminology, or unsworn translations can:

Invalidate contracts
Trigger regulatory non-compliance
Delay due diligence
Compromise intellectual property protections
Create grounds for post-acquisition litigation

In short: legal translation isn’t merely an administrative step; it’s an indispensable component of the legal process itself, directly impacting your client’s outcomes and your firm’s reputation.

Especially in CEE countries, law firms navigate hybrid legal systems that combine elements of civil and common law, require jurisdiction-specific compliance, and demand sworn or certified translations. It’s not just about speaking the language. It’s about mastering the legal and technical nuances of each jurisdiction.

3 Proven Strategies Law Firms Use for M&A Translations

Strategy 1: Leverage Dual Legal and Technical Expertise in Translators

Cross-border M&A deals often involve not only legal documents but also engineering drawings, process manuals, software specs, and intellectual property documentation.

Yet many firms still rely on generalist translators or basic AI tools! The result? Errors that erode trust, delay the deal, or worse, lead to disputes post-acquisition.

What works:

Translators who combine legal knowledge with technical domain expertise
Consistent use of legal terminology databases and translation memory tools
Involvement of subject-matter experts where needed

At Translat, we match each document type with experts in both the legal system and sector, whether it’s medtech device setup or EU intellectual property protocols.

Strategy 2: Ensure Compliance with Sworn and/or Certified Translations

In CEE jurisdictions like Slovenia, Croatia, Poland, or Hungary, many M&A-related documents require sworn or certified translations often as a legal prerequisite for registration or court approval.

These documents typically include:

Articles of incorporation
Power of attorney
Corporate resolutions
Shareholder agreements

Failing to use certified translators means risking rejection by local authorities or regulators and scrambling for last-minute corrections.

We handle the formatting, stamping, and delivery, fully court-acceptable and ready for filing.

Strategy 3: Streamline M&A Translations with Centralized Project Management

When multiple translators, reviewers, and legal advisors handle documents via email, things slip through the cracks:

Version control issues
Redundant work or inconsistent terminology
Delays due to unclear responsibilities

Instead, treat translation as a structured legal workstream. Centralize it using project management tools that ensure transparency, speed, and version accuracy.

At Translat, we use dedicated M&A translation workflows, integrating:

CAT tools and QA checkers
Translation memory across all languages
A single project manager for accountability

This structure shortens turnaround times, reduces costs, and improves the overall quality of multilingual deliverables.

Tips and Reminders for M&A-Focused Law Firms

Start translations early. Don’t wait for final drafts. Translate as you go and update later.
Validate technical terms with engineers or product leads. Even small errors in specs can cause operational failures, safety issues, or disputes after the deal closes.
Confirm jurisdictional requirements. In many CEE countries, sworn translations aren’t optional. They’re legally required for documentation to be valid.

Translation is a strategic advantage

Translation is not just a post-production step in M&A. It’s deeply embedded in due diligence, compliance, negotiation, and execution. When done right, it becomes a strategic advantage, reducing legal risk, accelerating timelines, and building trust across all stakeholders.

In Central and Eastern Europe, where linguistic diversity meets legal complexity, precision isn’t a luxury. It’s a necessity. And that’s where the right translation partner comes in.

Ready to ensure your next cross-border M&A deal runs smoothly?

Don’t let language errors derail your next cross-border M&A deal.

Partner with Translat and ensure sworn, industry-specific, and jurisdiction-compliant translations managed under one roof.

WHY EXPERT LEGAL TRANSLATION IS CRUCIAL IN M&A: 3 SMART STRATEGIES LAW FIRMS MUST USE