How to Translate German Court Documents into Ukrainian, English, and Russian — What German Verdicts Really Mean

Author: Tymur Levitin — founder, director, and senior teacher at Levitin Language School

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Understanding the Basics: German Court Documents and Their Roles

In German legal practice, not all court documents are created equal. Terms like Urteil, Beschluss, Entscheidung, and Urkunde may seem interchangeable — but they are not. Understanding these distinctions is critical, especially when translating them into Ukrainian, English, or Russian for official use.

Let’s take a deep dive into each term, how it functions in the legal system, and how to translate it correctly.

⚖️ Key German Legal Terms and What They Actually Mean

🟢 Urteil

• Literal meaning: “judgment” or “verdict”
• Context: A decision made after a full hearing, usually in civil or criminal cases
• Function: Resolves the main legal dispute and carries finality

✅ Tip: Use this for final decisions only — don’t confuse it with a general decision.

🟠 Beschluss

• Literal meaning: “resolution” or “order”
• Context: A procedural or intermediate decision — often without full trial
• Function: Used for interim steps (e.g., scheduling hearings, assigning experts)

⚠️ Caution: Not the same as Urteil — it lacks finality.

🔵 Entscheidung

• Literal meaning: “decision”
• Context: General term for the result of deliberation
• Function: Describes the act of deciding — can apply to both Urteil or Beschluss

⚠️ Note: It’s often used generically — context is key.

🟣 Urkunde

• Literal meaning: “official document” or “deed”
• Context: A certified written form of a ruling or legal act
• Function: A formal record (e.g., custody certificate, inheritance)

✅ Example: Ausfertigung der Urkunde gemäß § 47 FamFG
EN: Issued document under § 47 FamFG
UA: Виданий документ згідно з § 47 FamFG
RU: Выданный документ в соответствии с § 47 FamFG

🎯 Translating Ukrainian and Russian Terms into German

🧠 Tip: Always clarify the legal context before selecting the German equivalent.

🧩 What’s the Difference? Legal Logic Explained

Let’s break down a real-life logic chain:

1. Beschluss → The court considers arguments and procedural elements.
2. Entscheidung → A decision is made (mental/legal conclusion).
3. Urteil → If it’s a final ruling, it becomes a judgment.
4. Urkunde → The written, certified version of that decision.

❌ Common Mistakes in Legal Translation

• Using Urkunde as a synonym for Urteil — ❌ Incorrect.
• Translating Entscheidung as a physical document — ⚠️ Often misleading.
• Confusing Beschluss with Urteil — ❌ Different in procedure and legal effect.
• Leaving Urkunde untranslated — leads to vagueness.

📘 Why This Matters for Translators and Language Learners

Legal translation is never just about substituting words — it’s about understanding how each legal system functions and how those terms operate within it.

Certified translation is more than just dictionary lookup. It requires understanding legal functions, procedural context, and equivalence in the target legal system.

At Levitin Language School, we don’t just teach legal vocabulary — we train you to think like a translator. This article is based on real experience with legal documents for courts in Germany, Ukraine, and beyond.

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🔗 Related Articles

• Understanding Realia in Translation: Cultural Nuances Across Languages
• How to Translate Ukrainian Court Decisions into German and English

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