Legal translation pricing can be tricky without a clear view of how rates are built and what affects turnaround. Whether you need a certified Arabic-to-English translation for UAE courts, contracts for a cross-border deal, or multilingual compliance policies for your UAE offices, understanding how pricing works helps you plan confidently and avoid surprises. This guide breaks down the common pricing models, real-world cost variables, and practical steps to scope your project for an accurate quote so you can protect timelines and quality when it matters most.
For a broader overview of services, processes, and quality standards, see the pillar resource: Complete overview: “Legal Translation Services: The Complete Guide.”
As a UAE-based provider, Sim-trans Legal Translation & Interpretation Services supports organizations and individuals across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and nationwide with certified, legal, and general translation and interpretation. The insights below reflect common practices in the UAE market and considerations you should expect when requesting quotes.
What Actually Drives the Cost of Legal Translation?
Legal translation pricing is specialized work that demands subject matter knowledge, absolute accuracy, and adherence to court or regulatory requirements. Several inputs influence price:
1) Language Pair and Direction
- Supply and demand: High-demand pairs like English↔Arabic in the UAE are often more affordable than less common pairs (e.g., Japanese↔Arabic), reflecting translator availability.
- Direction of translation: Arabic→English vs. English→Arabic may differ in rate based on qualified translator supply and the quality assurance needed for each direction.
2) Subject Matter Complexity
- Complex legal domains: Litigation pleadings, court judgments, M&A agreements, IP filings, or maritime contracts generally command higher rates due to terminology density and liability risks.
- Risk profile: Documents used in court, regulatory filings, or high-stakes commercial transactions require additional quality checks and senior review time.
3) Volume, Repetition, and File Quality
- Word count and repetition: Larger volumes may qualify for volume discounts, especially if computer-assisted translation (CAT) tools can leverage repeated clauses in templates and boilerplate.
- File format: Clean, editable files reduce desktop publishing (DTP) time. Scans, images, and heavily formatted PDFs add effort and can increase cost.
4) Certification, Notarization, and Legalization Needs
- Certified translations: Official use (e.g., for UAE authorities or courts) typically requires certified translation and specific translator or agency credentials.
- Notarization and legalization: If a translation must be notarized or legalized (e.g., via UAE notary or embassy), extra administrative steps and fees apply.
5) Turnaround Speed and Availability
- Standard vs. rush: Tight deadlines, weekend delivery, or after-hours work can incur rush surcharges because of resource scheduling and priority handling.
- Project management overhead: Complex multi-document, multi-language assignments need more coordination and QA capacity.
How UAE Providers Legal Translation Pricing: Common Models
Most UAE translation companies use a combination of pricing models depending on document type, purpose, and delivery requirements. When comparing quotes, ensure you understand which model applies and what it includes.
| Pricing Model | Typical Use Case | Pros | Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per word | Contracts, pleadings, expert reports, policies | Transparent for editable texts; aligns with volume | Scanned PDFs may need per-page or DTP add-ons |
| Per page | Certificates, judgments, short official forms | Simple for standardized documents | Varies by definition of a “page” (e.g., 200–300 words) |
| Per hour | Formatting/DTP, terminology research, QA, consulting | Fair for non-translation effort | Requires clear scope and caps |
| Per project | Bundles and multi-lingual packages | Single price; good for budget planning | Assumptions must be explicit (rush, certification, etc.) |
| Per day (interpretation) | Court hearings, depositions, conferences, site visits | Reflects full-day resource commitment | Half-days/minimums, travel, and equipment policies vary |
Always clarify what is included: translation, bilingual review, senior legal QA, proofreading, certification, DTP, notarization/legalization administration, delivery method, and revisions.
Illustrative Price Ranges and Examples (AED)
Actual prices depend on the factors above. The following ranges are for illustration only to help with planning in the UAE context. Request a formal quote for accurate figures based on your files and requirements.
| Task | Typical Range (AED) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Per-word (editable files) | AED 0.35–1.20/word | Varies by language pair, complexity, and QA depth |
| Per-page (certificates) | AED 80–200/page | Often based on 200–300 words per standardized page |
| Desktop publishing (DTP) | AED 120–300/hour | Applied for complex formatting or scanned documents |
| Certification fee | Included or AED 50–150/document | Depends on provider policy and authority requirements |
| Notarization/legalization | Administrative and government fees | Quoted case-by-case per authority/embassy |
| Rush surcharge | +20% to +50% | Depends on turnaround, volume, and scheduling |
| On-site interpretation (day) | AED 1,500–4,500/day | Varies by language, specialization, and event type |
Examples:
- Birth certificate (Arabic→English, certified): Often a per-page rate with certification. If the file is clean and standard, expect on the lower end of the per-page range.
- 20-page commercial lease (English→Arabic): Per-word pricing for editable text; complex clauses and formatting may add QA or DTP. Volume discounts may apply.
- Court bundle (mixed formats, tight deadlines): Combination pricing (per word + hourly DTP + rush), with added QA rounds to ensure courtroom readiness.
Turnaround Time: What to Expect and How it Affects Cost
Legal matters are deadline-driven. Turnaround policies typically reflect a quality, speed, and cost balance:
- Standard delivery: A single senior legal translator can typically handle 2,000 to 2,500 words/day with QA. Complex texts may require more time.
- Expedited delivery: Increased daily throughput (e.g., 3,500 to 5,000 words/day) achieved via teamwork and staggered QA; often incurs a rush surcharge.
- Same-day/overnight: Feasible for short, urgent documents (certificates, letters) or partial deliveries. Premiums reflect resource mobilization and after-hours work.
Factors that shorten timelines without sacrificing quality:
- Editable formats: Provide Word files instead of scans where possible.
- Reference materials: Share prior bilingual contracts, glossaries, or style guides to speed consistency.
- Clear certification needs: Specify if court use or notarization is required so the team sequences steps efficiently.
Quality, Confidentiality, and Compliance and Why they Influence Price
Legal translation pricing are more than words. Reputable UAE providers invest in people, processes, and controls that reduce risk and increase reliability.
- Expert linguists: Legally trained translators with sector-specific experience (e.g., real estate, banking, IP) command higher rates but prevent costly misunderstandings.
- Quality assurance (QA): Multi-step workflows (translation, independent review, senior legal QA) improve accuracy and consistency across documents.
- Standards: Many providers align with ISO 17100 for translation services and ISO 9001 for quality management. These frameworks add rigor and traceability.
- Data security: NDA workflows, secure file exchange, and controlled access protect sensitive contracts and case files.
- Certification readiness: Ensuring the translation meets UAE authority or court presentation requirements avoids rework and delays.
Source:
[1] ISO 17100 Guidance. (n.d.). International Organization for Standardization. Retrieved December 18, 2025, from https://www.iso.org/obp/ui/en/#iso:std:iso:17100:ed-1:v1:en
How to Scope Your Legal Translation Project for an Accurate Quote
Providing a clear brief helps your vendor scope accurately, price fairly, and meet your deadline. Use this checklist when requesting quotes in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or anywhere in the UAE:
- Share the exact files: Provide final, editable documents (Word, PowerPoint) when possible. If scanned, ensure high-resolution PDFs.
- Confirm language direction: Specify source and target languages (e.g., English to Arabic) and variants (if any).
- Define the purpose: for court filing, administrative submission, negotiation, or internal review. This affects QA depth and certification needs.
- Identify certification/legalization: State whether you need certified translation for the UAE and any notarization or legalization steps.
- Set timelines: Provide a firm deadline and note any partial delivery milestones or hearing dates.
- Volume and scope details: Estimated word count, number of documents, and whether ongoing updates or future batches are expected.
- Provide references: prior bilingual versions, preferred terminology, or style guidance to maintain consistency.
- Formatting and delivery: Specify layout fidelity requirements, stamp/seal placement, and whether you need printed, stamped copies or digital certified PDFs.
- Confidentiality: Request NDAs, secure portals, and data-handling procedures as needed.
- Decision criteria: Clarify whether cost, speed, or subject-matter depth is your top priority for this project.
Tip: Ask your vendor to separate translation, QA, DTP, certification, and rush fees in the quote so you can compare apples to apples.
Ways to Optimize Costs without Compromising Legal Quality
- Bundle documents: Group related files to unlock volume efficiencies and reduce duplicated setup and QA effort.
- Use editable source files: Avoid images of text; this minimizes DTP and accelerates delivery.
- Leverage terminology: Share glossaries and previous bilingual contracts so CAT tools can reuse consistent phrasing.
- Plan realistic timelines: Avoid rush premiums by building in time for legal review loops.
- Prioritize critical content: If the budget is tight, discuss translating only the governing clauses or required court exhibits first; summarize secondary content where appropriate.
- Establish a long-term partnership: Preferred vendor relationships can bring negotiated rates, faster onboarding, and better continuity across matters.
Sample Cost Calculation Walk-Through
Imagine you need to translate a 12,000-word English commercial agreement into Arabic, certified for submission in the UAE, within five business days.
- Base translation (per word): 12,000 words × AED 0.55 = AED 6,600
- QA/review (included or separate): Many providers include a second-linguist review in per-word rates; some may itemize.
- Certification: AED 100/document
- DTP (minimal): If the file is clean, included; otherwise, 1 to 2 hours at AED 180/hour
- Rush factor: If standard capacity suffices, no premium; if expedited, +20% (AED 1,320)
Illustrative total: AED 6,700 to 8,200 depending on rush and DTP. Actual quotes vary by provider, language pair, and document complexity.
Certification, Notarization, and Legalization in the UAE
Different authorities have different expectations. Clarify requirements before commissioning work:
- Certified translation: For official use in the UAE, ensure your provider can issue certified translations accepted by the relevant authority or court.
- Notarization: Some documents may require notary acknowledgment of signatures on certificates of translation.
- Legalization/apostille: Cross-border use may involve embassy/legalization steps. Costs include administrative handling and government fees.
FAQ: Legal Translation Pricing and Timelines
1) Is per-word or per-page pricing better for legal translation?
It depends on the document. Editable contracts are usually priced per word, which is transparent and aligns with volume. Certificates and short court forms often use per/page pricing for simplicity. Ask how a provider defines a “page” (e.g., 200 to 300 words) and whether stamps, seals, and formatting are included.
2) Do certified translations cost more?
Certified translations can include additional steps, specific credentials, formatting, seals, and administrative checks, so they may have a separate certification fee or a slightly higher base rate. Notarization or legalization, if needed, is typically quoted separately.
3) How fast can I get legal translation pricing in Dubai or Abu Dhabi?
Short certificates may be delivered the same day or within 24 hours. For contracts and court submissions, standard throughput is typically 2,000 to 2,500 words/day per translator with review. Expedited delivery is possible with team-based workflows and may include a rush surcharge.
4) Can technology reduce my costs without hurting quality?
Yes. CAT tools help reuse repeated clauses and ensure consistent terminology across documents, reducing effort and cost over time. However, legal translation pricing still requires expert human translators and dedicated QA for accuracy, especially for court or regulatory use.
5) Do you charge for repeated text?
Many providers offer discounted rates for repetitions and 100% matches when using translation memories. Ask for a detailed CAT analysis in your quote to see how repetitions affect pricing.
Why Partner with Sim-trans for Legal Translation in the UAE
Sim-trans Legal Translation & Interpretation Services supports individuals, law firms, and in-house legal teams across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and the UAE with certified and general legal translation pricing. Our workflows emphasize subject-matter expertise, confidentiality, and dependable turnaround backed by clear, itemized quoting so you understand exactly what you’re paying for. We also provide interpretation for hearings, meetings, and conferences, as well as multilingual communication solutions for ongoing matters.
- Certified translations fit for purpose with UAE authorities and courts
- Specialized legal translators across commercial, litigation, IP, real estate, and compliance
- Scalable project management for bundles and urgent filings
- Transparent pricing and flexible models (per word, per page, per project)
Need a precise estimate? Share your files and requirements to receive a tailored quote with options for standard and expedited delivery.
Conclusion: Price Legal Translation with Confidence
When the stakes are high, clarity on cost variables, language pairs, complexity, certification, formatting, and turnaround empowers you to plan effectively and maintain quality. By scoping your documents clearly, choosing the right pricing model, and partnering with a UAE provider experienced in legal translation, you can align timelines, budgets, and risk controls.
For a deeper primer on workflows and quality standards, see the pillar resource: Complete overview: “Legal Translation Services: The Complete Guide.”
Ready to move forward? Contact Sim-trans Legal Translation & Interpretation Services in Dubai or Abu Dhabi for an itemized quote, clear timelines, and dependable delivery tailored to your legal translation pricing needs.
