Contract Drafting Egypt
requires more than translating English wording after the commercial terms have already
been agreed. The English and Arabic versions should be developed around the same intended
rights, obligations, payment terms and remedies, with the governing version identified
clearly before signature.
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Arabic Is Egypt’s Official Legal Language
Article 2 of the Egyptian Constitution provides that Arabic is the official
language of the State. Egyptian courts, public authorities, notaries and
registration bodies therefore operate in Arabic, and a foreign-language document
submitted in Egyptian proceedings will ordinarily need an accepted Arabic
translation.
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The Contract Should Identify the Prevailing Language
Where parties sign English and Arabic versions, the agreement should state which
version prevails if the wording conflicts. If Arabic is expressly designated as
the governing version, the Arabic text controls that conflict rather than leaving
the court to reconcile two inconsistent clauses after a dispute has begun.
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Small Translation Differences Can Change the Deal
A different verb, deadline, payment trigger, liability limit or termination right
can materially alter the parties’ positions. Our approach to
Bilingual Contracts for Egypt
is to align the legal effect of both versions from the start, instead of treating
Arabic as a final translation exercise.
This is particularly important in
Contract Drafting for Foreign Clients in Egypt:
the client needs an English version they can understand and negotiate confidently, while
the Arabic version must accurately express the agreed legal position for practical use
before Egyptian parties, authorities and courts.
