A commercial arbitration hearing - at CEPANI (the Belgian Centre for Arbitration and Mediation), the ICC in Paris or ICSID in Washington - demands interpreting of the highest legal quality. The interpreter is not a bystander but a procedural instrument: every term, every reservation and every procedural ruling must be conveyed flawlessly.
Why does commercial arbitration require a professional interpreter?
Arbitration proceedings are conducted on the basis of an arbitration agreement that determines the procedural language - typically English or French. When a party, witness or expert speaks a different language, interpreting is a procedural requirement. An incorrect rendering of a technical concept (force majeure, liquidated damages, clawback) can jeopardise the legal validity of witness statements or damage a party's position. CEPANI and ICC arbitration are governed by strict procedural rules that demand professional interpreters.
What does our interpreting service for commercial arbitration cover?
- Simultaneous interpreting for multi-day arbitration hearings with multiple parties
- Consecutive interpreting for witness examinations, expert hearings and plea hearings
- Legal terminology preparation: CEPANI, ICC, ICSID, UNCITRAL procedural rules
- Available for all arbitration institutions: CEPANI Brussels, ICC Paris, ICSID, LCIA London
- Language pairs: EN-FR, EN-NL, FR-NL, EN-DE, EN-ZH, EN-AR, EN-RU and more than 70 others
- Strict NDA in line with the confidentiality rules of the arbitration institution
- Written interpreting reports and transcripts at the request of the arbitrator or parties
- Installation of professional simultaneous interpreting equipment at the arbitration venue
TranslateBE
Interpreter for commercial arbitration - quote within 1 hour
CEPANI, ICC or ICSID arbitration? Receive a quote within 1 hour for a certified legal interpreter with expertise in international arbitration.
Recommended interpreting mode for commercial arbitration
- Simultaneous interpreting: the standard for multi-day arbitration hearings with multiple parties and language groups - requires interpreter booth or portable RSI installation
- Consecutive interpreting: recommended for witness and expert examinations where precision and the ability to rectify take priority over speed
- Whispered interpreting: for a single party or adviser who does not understand the arbitration language - discreet and without interrupting the proceedings
Rates for commercial arbitration interpreting
| Service | Duration | Indicative rate |
|---|---|---|
| Half day | ≤ 4h | €250–400 |
| Full day | ≤ 8h | €450–700 |
| Travel | - | +€0.40/km |
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How is confidentiality maintained in arbitration proceedings?
Arbitration is confidential by definition. All TranslateBE interpreters sign an arbitration-specific NDA that complies with CEPANI and ICC confidentiality rules. Witness statements, procedural documents and decisions are never shared outside the hearing. A party-specific confidentiality agreement can be drafted on request.
Which languages are available for CEPANI and ICC arbitration hearings?
TranslateBE covers more than 70 languages. For international arbitration the most requested combinations are: EN-FR, EN-NL, FR-NL, EN-DE, EN-ZH, EN-AR, EN-RU and EN-ES. For rare language pairs (e.g. EN-VI or EN-ID) we recommend booking at least two weeks in advance.
How far in advance should an interpreter for an arbitration hearing be booked?
Arbitration hearings are typically scheduled weeks or months in advance. Book your interpreter as early as possible after the hearing date is confirmed - preferably 2 to 4 weeks ahead. For multi-day hearings, two interpreters per language pair are standard practice to maintain quality and concentration.
What is the difference between liaison interpreting and consecutive interpreting at an arbitration examination?
For a witness examination in arbitration, consecutive interpreting is strongly recommended: the interpreter takes careful notes, renders longer segments and can ask for clarification where needed. Liaison interpreting is too informal for legal examinations and provides insufficient guarantees of accuracy in procedurally sensitive situations.
Book your arbitration interpreter - express 24 hours
Unexpected hearing date or urgent arbitration? TranslateBE provides certified legal interpreters for CEPANI and ICC in express 24 hours.