Christopher Sexton
Your provider of expert legal translations from German into English
LL.B., B.A., University of Adelaide, Australia

Services

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  Legal Translation

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  I regularly translate a wide range of legal documents from German into English, including in the following areas:

  • Corporate
  • Real estate
  • Employment and labour
  • Commercial
  • Energy
  • Litigation and dispute resolution
  • Antitrust / competition

   

  Past projects have included the following:

  Articles of association / Shareholders’ agreements / Real property purchase agreements / Commercial lease agreements / Sale and assignment agreements / Partnership agreements / Company resolutions on capital increases / appointment of managing directors / Commercial register extracts / Share purchase and assignment agreements / Contracts of sale / Trust agreements / Merger agreements / Notifications to the Federal Cartel Office / General terms and conditions of business / Employment contracts / Works agreements / Cooperation agreements / Notarial deeds / Managing director service agreements / Management reports / Termination agreements / Licensing agreements / Energy agreements / Litigation and dispute resolution (court judgments, orders, and decrees) / Legal opinions and briefs / Due diligence reports / Powers of attorney / Letters-of-comfort / Memos / Minutes

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  Business Translation

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  I also translate a wide range of business documents, including:

  • Business correspondence
  • PowerPoint presentations
  • Client briefings, newsletters and press releases
  • Corporate and legislative updates
  • Practice area presentations
  • Pitches
  • Marketing studies, market surveys and research
  • Website texts and online content
  • PR texts, brochures, promotional and marketing materials
  • Articles for trade and industry publications, newspapers and law journals
  • Speeches
  • HR texts
  • Job descriptions and HR presentations / references / testimonials
  • Attorney and support staff résumés and biographies
  • Academic transcripts
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  Proofreading

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  Attention to detail is everything in legal translation. I can give texts that have already been translated a round of final editing and quality control. I offer proofreading and revising/editing as an additional service.

  I will meticulously read your translation and carry out the following quality checks:

  Correct any typos, spelling mistakes, grammatical errors, punctuation errors, incorrect use of regional English (i.e. ensuring use of American English or British English, as applicable), and any other inconsistencies (fonts, spacing, usage of bold, italics, underscore) to make your document accurate, clear and consistent throughout.
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  Editing & Revising

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  This more in-depth review involves proofreading checks, as well as comparing the source text with the translation, and making revisions and/or editorial improvements where necessary. I will use my expertise and intuition to:

  • Directly check the accuracy of the translation against the source document
  • Ensure that the right terminology for the specific context is used
  • Clarify any ambiguities and flag any contextual errors
  • Improve and refine the translation with constructive suggestions to improve its general readability
  • Make revisions and stylistic changes so that it flows and reads well, and consult a style guide (if necessary) to ensure that conventions are followed
  • Craft your message for your target audience and ensure that it strikes the right tone

About

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  Introduction

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  I’ve got it covered:

  Native English speaker

  I translate exclusively from German into English, my mother tongue.

  Specialist in legal translation, legal editing and legal proofreading

  I am an online provider of high-quality English translations of German legal, financial and business texts and English-language editing and proofreading services. Although I’m physically based in Riga, Latvia, thanks to modern technology I partner with clients around the globe to assist them with their specialist legal translation, editing and proofreading needs.

  I leverage knowledge gained from 20+ years of genuine legal translation, editing and proofreading industry experience, initially as a specialist full-time in-house German-to-English legal translator, editor and proofreader at top-tier international law firms in Germany, and latterly as a freelancer through my company, Sexton Legal Translations (SLT), here in Riga. My clients include law firms, legal professionals and companies.

  Thanks to my extensive experience as a full-time in-house legal translator at Magic and Silver Circle law firms, where I learned my craft and constantly honed my skills, I am accustomed to handling translation projects entailing highly specialised and complex subject matter, including major contracts for some of the world’s largest firms. Legal translation is not just one of the areas I work in – this is my specialisation. You always have a highly experienced, qualified native English legal and financial translation, editing and proofreading specialist – not a generalist – at your disposal. Unlike generalist or entry-level translators, I have real working knowledge of the subject matter and I am well-versed in legalese and the intricacies of legal translation. I will provide you with an end product of the highest possible quality.

  Since its launch in 2015, an ever-growing base of loyal and satisfied clients have come to rely on Sexton Legal Translations (SLT) as a highly dependable language service provider possessing the expertise and experience needed to successfully complete legal translation, editing and proofreading projects that differ widely in scale, complexity and subject matter, in an accurate and timely manner.

  Experienced, skilled and educated

  Legal translations for lawyers by a lawyer. I hold a Bachelor of Laws degree (LL.B.) from the University of Adelaide, Australia, and with 20+ years of full-time legal translation experience behind me, I have become a subject matter expert in many corporate fields, in addition to providing final fully-proofed legal translations.

  Excellence

  I work to the same exacting standards for each and every project, irrespective of complexity, size and duration.

  Reliable

  Fast and dependable turnaround times in full compliance with my clients’ guidelines. I understand the importance of on-time delivery.

  Strict confidentiality, integrity and ethics

  This is a given. I understand there is zero margin for error. I carry out all translations myself – I do not farm out work to other people – and all documents are treated in the strictest confidence. I routinely enter into non-disclosure agreements with my clients.

  Commitment = results delivery

  I am guided by my unwavering commitment to provide the best possible service for my clients in order to help them achieve their goals and enhance their reputations.

  Passion

  I am passionate and enthusiastic about what I do – this shines through in my translations. I immerse myself in the task at hand and I am prepared to invest the time and energy and research needed to deliver top-notch translations.

  CPD

  I am dedicated to honing my expertise, improving my CAT skills, continually building on and applying my knowledge, and attending CPD courses and seminars.

  Additional services

  Proofreading and editing/revising.

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  Profile

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  For more than 20 years now, I have been providing legal translation and proofreading / editing services to clients operating in the fields of law and finance in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy, initially as a specialist full-time in-house German-to-English legal translator at top-tier international law firms in Frankfurt am Main and Munich, Germany, and latterly through Sexton Legal Translations SIA, which I founded back in 2015. Originally from Adelaide, Australia, I hold a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) (majoring in German) and a postgraduate Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from the University of Adelaide.

  In 2000, I took up a position as a paralegal at the Frankfurt office of a London-based international law firm where I developed a penchant for translation work and found myself drawn to working in a fast-paced and dynamic environment. Following an extremely rewarding and interesting eight-year stint at another leading international law firm, I decided to branch out on my own and relocated to my wife’s native Latvia where I founded Sexton Legal Translations SIA, which has felt very much like a natural progression. Although I am physically based in Riga, Latvia,  thanks to modern technology, I work with clients around the globe, including some of the world’s top international law firms, financial institutions and corporations.

  Professional Experience

  2015 – present Sexton Legal Translations, SIA, Riga, Latvia

  2006 – 2015 Clifford Chance LLP, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
  A top-tier international law firm headquartered in London, United Kingdom
  Legal translator/editor/proofreader

  2005 – 2006 Ashurst, Munich, Germany
  A leading international law firm headquartered in London, United Kingdom
  Legal translator/editor/proofreader

  2000 – 2005 Ashurst, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
  Legal translator/editor/proofreader

  2000 Social Economy And Law Journal (SEAL), Warsaw, Poland
  Published by the European Foundation Centre (EFC)
  Editorial consultant

  1998-1999 Hunton & Williams, Warsaw, Poland
  International law firm based in Richmond, Virginia, USA
  Paralegal

   

  Education

  1998 University of South Australia
  Graduate Certificate in Legal Practice (GCLP)
  Legal placement at Johnston Withers, Adelaide, S.A., Australia
  Qualified to practise as a barrister/solicitor before the Supreme Court of South Australia

  1994 – 1997 University of Adelaide
  Graduated with a Bachelor of Laws, LL.B.

  1993 Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg
  Scholarship: German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)
  German language and culture

  1990 – 1992 University of Adelaide
  Graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, B.A.
  Major: German Language and Literature

  1989 Goethe Institute Munich
  Certificate: German as a Foreign Language

   

  Professional memberships

  BDÜ
  I am a member of the German Federal Association of Interpreters and Translators (BDÜ).

   

  Expertise and experience you can count on

  As every translation project manager is aware, choosing the right legal translation services provider is no small challenge. Striking the right balance between the competing demands of quality, speed and cost is key to the success of your project. This does not necessarily have to be a zero-sum game. I can help you strike the right balance in helping you solve this quality-speed-cost conundrum. I do not promise the world – I know my limits and will turn down work which is beyond my capabilities or has unrealistic deadlines – but I will ensure that your legal documents are consistently translated to the highest quality. I bring a wealth of experience and specialist expertise to every project, giving you confidence and peace of mind to get your legal translation project done promptly, intelligently and, above all, accurately the first time around. I have a clear understanding of not just the subject matter, but of your industry and needs. I pride myself on offering each client a responsive and highly personalised service. Competence and integrity are my hallmarks. Should you require a quote or would like to discuss your needs, please do not hesitate to contact me. I would be very happy to hear from you.

   

  My value proposition

  My value proposition is simple and straightforward: it entails always meeting – and exceeding – your expectations when it comes to producing consistently first-class translations from German into English that resonate with your target audience. I honour deadlines without compromising on quality. I deliver clear, precise, well-written authoritative translations. The combination of my legal translation expertise and focus gives you a real advantage. I grasp the inherent meaning of the material I translate and am able to understand it in a broader context. As I do all translations myself, I can provide you with enhanced levels of consistency, accountability and flexibility.

   

  Mission

  Good legal translations are vital and should not be left to chance. Legal translation is not something that can be improvised. Hire a generalist translator and you run the risk of receiving improperly translated documents riddled with mistranslations, inconsistencies, misuse of terminology and omissions. There are many documented cases of the repercussions this entails: the time, cost and hassle of having to re-tweak the translation yourself or get it redone completely by a more qualified translator, not to mention the legal implications, negative PR and a marred reputation. Having a translation done right the first time saves you time, money and aggravation and lets you get on with your own business.

  As a seasoned German into English legal translation specialist, I mitigate these risks for my clients. Whether you need a one-off translation or are looking for a long-term partnership, I am happy to help. I aim to become your trusted preferred supplier and to earn your trust with each and every project to ensure that your translation projects run smoothly from start to finish. I do this by delivering superior quality, paying meticulous attention to detail, and strictly adhering to deadlines.

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  Credentials

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  “He is a highly qualified legal translator and his work is characterised by a clear focus on accuracy and relevant details, both crucial aspects of any translation project in the legal or financial area.”

  

  “We were impressed by his consistent high quality work.”

  

  „Im Namen der gesamten Arbeitsgruppe BDI Internet der Energie bedanke ich mich für Ihr herausragendes Engagement bei unserem Projekt der Übersetzung der deutschen Broschüre* ins Englische. Sie haben Frau Namingha, FhG IESE, sehr unterstützt, nur mit Ihrer Hilfe, konnten wir das Vorhaben fristgerecht beenden.”

  Federführender Redakteur: Florian Briegel, BDI Internet der Energie
  BDI Bundesverband der Deutschen Industrie e.V.

  * “Internet of Energy – ICT for Energy Markets of the Future” (Internet der Energie – IKT für Energiemärkte), published in Germany in December, 2008 (BDI publication no. 439, ISSN 0407-8977).

  

  „Chris is a highly skilled professional translator in the specialized field of German into English legal translations. I had the pleasure in working with Chris on a number of high profile legal projects in Germany. Both his technical translation excellence and his work attitude under tight timelines has been phenomenal!”

  Andreas Vogel
  Partner – Ashurst LLP

  

  „PROFESSIONELL, GENAU UND ABSOLUT ZUVERLÄSSIG”

  (Legal Department Dr. Schär)

  

  „Herr Sexton hat die anspruchsvollen Texte meiner Business Coaching Webseite mit viel Sprachgefühl und zugleich Akkuratesse ins Englische übersetzt. Die Zusammenarbeit war dabei jederzeit sehr professionell und angenehm.“

  

  „Wir haben schon oft Herrn Sexton beauftragt. Die Übersetzungen kamen immer pünktlich und waren – was bei komplexen juristischen Texten nicht jeder kann – gut fundiert; und vor allem: die Mandanten waren immer sehr zufrieden.“

  

  „Sehr gute Qualität, pünktliche Lieferungen und unkomplizierte Kommunikation – immer. Es ist ein Vergnügen, mit Christopher zusammenzuarbeiten. Wir empfehlen ihn sehr gerne weiter.“