Cengolio · Contract review
One contract. Two languages. Two legal systems.
When an agreement is signed in English and German, someone has to know
whether the two texts say the same thing. We read both and record where they diverge,
omissions, additions, shifted terms, obligations stated at different strength. What the
divergences mean in law is for your lawyers. Finding them is for us.
What that looks like
F-01Clause 21.2ContradictionLegal assessment required
EN
In the event of any conflict between the English and the German version, the English version shall prevail.
DE
Im Falle von Widersprüchen zwischen der englischen und der deutschen Fassung ist die deutsche Fassung maßgeblich.
Each version nominates itself as the governing text. The two clauses
cannot both operate as drafted. This finding rests on the wording alone.
F-02Clause 20.1TerminologyWording point
EN
The provisions of this Agreement shall bind the parties’ successors and permitted assigns.
DE
Die Provisionen dieses Vertrages binden die Rechtsnachfolger und zugelassenen Zessionare der Parteien.
The identical twin caught the translator. Provision in German is a
commission, the sales agent’s pay, § 87 HGB. The clause word is Bestimmung. As written, the
German says the commissions under this contract bind the parties’ successors, which is not a
sentence anyone intended.
→ Note: provision
F-03Clause 8.1TerminologyLegal assessment recommended
EN
The Supplier warrants that the Goods will conform to the Specification for twenty-four (24) months from delivery.
DE
Der Lieferant garantiert, dass die Ware für vierundzwanzig (24) Monate ab Lieferung der Spezifikation entspricht.
German holds two institutions apart where the English has one word.
Gewährleistung is the statutory liability for defects. Garantie is a promise assumed on top of it,
§ 443 BGB. The German version selects the second. The English warrants does not itself select
between them.
→ Note: warranty
Ten more findings in the full specimen, an omission, a thirty-day period that became
fourteen, a contract that opens with WOHINGEGEN.
Read the specimen →
What we look for
01ContradictionThe two texts say opposite things
02TerminologyOne English word, two German institutions
03OmissionWording present on one side only
04AdditionWording the original never carried
05ModalityThe obligation stated at different strength
06ScopeLists opened on one side, closed on the other
07FiguresPeriods, sums, dates, cross-references
The limit
This report finds divergences; it does not assess them in law. Flagged
findings belong to a lawyer qualified in the jurisdiction concerned.
C.Translations UG is a language service. It is not a law firm and is not
authorised to provide legal services.
How it runs
Send both versions by email. You receive a numbered report, dossier-ready, with every finding
located by clause and both wordings set side by side. Priced per report, quoted on the documents,
not by the hour. Law firms are welcome to use their own secure transfer route.