法律文件严谨，采取各种语言手段防止误解或歧义；其内容必须字面化、外部化，说一是一，说二是二。含蓄的表达、深层的蕴涵在法律文件中无施展的余地。
在用词方面，法律文件除了专门术语外，还常用一部分古词、旧词。特别是here，there，where加介词构成的复合副词，如：hereto，herein，hereunder，hereinabove，thereon，therein，thereof，thereat，therethrough，wherein，whereby，whereof，wherefor等等。古体副词的大量使用提高法律文件的正式程度，也形成了法律文件特有的稳定性和保守性。
在句法方面，法律文件长句多，几十字、上百字的长句司空见惯。为
了把话说得天衣无缝，不惜运用各种附加语、修饰语、说明语，以致句法成分前后编插、枝权横生，句子结构膨胀，语法关系复杂，读来不畅。行文中少用代词，宁可重复名词。
在篇章结构方面，有的甚至通篇不用逗号表示停顿。但是，为了突出内容要点和逻辑程序，法律文件也采用一定的版面手段，如大小写，变换字体、序列和布局等。
根据法律文件的特征，翻译上有如下要求：
Legal Document Translation
From stylistic point of view, the legal document is rigorous, so it adopts every language method to prevent misunderstanding or ambiguity. Its content must be literally clear and outspoken. The
expressions must be clear and definite rather than implicit and profound.
With regard to words, the legal document adopts technical terms, as well as some ancient words; particularly the compound adverbs of “here”, “there”, “where” etc. adding a preposition, such as “hereto”, “herein”, “hereunder,” “hereinabove”, “thereon”, “therein”, “thereof”, “thereat”, “therethrough”, “wherein”, “whereby”, “whereof”, “wherefor” and so on. The massive application of ancient adverbs enhances formality of legal document, and has formed a unique stability and conservativeness of this document.
On syntax, legal document uses many long sentences. Sentences with decades of or even a hundred words are commonly seen. In order to make the statements flawless, legal document will use various kinds of addition, modifier, and explanation; as a result, the syntax ingredients become interlocking, the sentence structure expanding, and the grammar relation complex. In addition, legal document seldom uses pronouns but repeats the preceding nouns.
On chapter structure, legal document sometimes doesn’t use any comma to express a pause in the whole text. However, in order to lay stress on the main points of content
and the logical program, the legal document also uses certain methods, like capital or small letters, typeface transformation, sequence and layout and so on.
According to the stylistic characteristics of legal document, the translation should stick to the following principles:
一、用词精当
注意同义词在不同译文中的差别，保持词义在上下文中的一致性，使语
句严谨。例如：
I. Precise and Appropriate
Wording
A translator of legal document must pay close attention to discrepancy of synonyms in different
versions. He must keep the word meanings in the context uniform and the sentences rigorous. For example:
(1) Original: Unless it is legally or physically impossible, the contractor shall execute and complete the works and remedy the defects therein in strict accordance with the contract to the satisfaction of the engineer.
Version: 除法律或外界条件不允许的情况之外，承包商应严格按合同施工和竣工，并改正工作中的任何缺陷，达到工程师满意的程度。
physical在哲学上与mental相对，释义为“物质的”、“自然的”。但这里如光说“物质的”，易生歧义，可能仅仅与具体的物质材料联系起来；
