Combining AI and Human Expertise to Meet a Critical Legal Filing Deadline
August 25, 2026
The Challenge
A long-standing client, a top-tier international law firm, required the translation of approximately 450,000 words of German, French, and Italian case law within 9 business days to meet an immovable court-imposed filing deadline. To put this scale and timeframe into context, the project was done roughly eight times faster than a traditional workflow using a smaller team of linguists. And for those more receptive to a different comparison, it was the equivalent of translating four average-length novels in just nine business days.
The project presented several challenges: a particularly high volume of content, an extremely short timeframe, and a restricted budget.
However, the biggest challenge was the complex source files – poor quality scans of case law excerpts and journals – that required meticulous formatting to preserve the integrity of the original documents. Many files contained complex layouts, tables, citations and formatting that would have required extensive manual reconstruction if handled conventionally.
Our Solution
To meet the deadline without compromising quality while also working within the client’s budget, we implemented a carefully managed hybrid workflow that combined machine translation with expert human translator post-editing.
By combining AI-assisted document preparation with specialist desktop publishing expertise, we preserved the structure of the originals while significantly reducing production time and cost.
Given the complexity of the files and it being critical that the machine translation output was more than clean enough to enable linguists to be able to carry out their post editing, this extensive formatting using a hybrid approach ensured the translated documents accurately mirrored the originals in both content and presentation.
As a good illustration of the judgment required on projects of this scale, not every document followed the same workflow. After assessing the source material, our team determined that certain documents could be translated and formatted more efficiently by experienced legal translators working directly from the source, rather than incorporating machine translation into the process. This was, in part, because several files contained multiple languages. Selecting the right workflow for each document was an important factor in meeting both the client’s deadline and quality expectations.
Throughout the project, our linguists and project management team worked in tandem, collaborating closely to maintain consistency, quality and efficiency from start to finish.
The Results
- Approximately 450,000 words translated across 3 languages.
- Delivered within the client’s 9-day deadline.
- Critical filing deadline successfully met.
- Accurate formatting maintained across highly complex legal documents.
- An extremely satisfied client, who praised both the quality of the work and our ability to deliver under significant time pressure.
Why It Worked
The success of the project wasn’t simply down to AI, it was specifically the combination of technology and experienced human expertise.
AI accelerated the initial translation process, while our professional legal translators ensured the accuracy, consistency and legal nuance expected for high-stakes matters. At the same time, our specialists addressed the complex formatting challenges that automated tools alone could not reliably resolve.
By applying the right workflow for the right project, we were able to deliver exceptional speed while maintaining the quality standards our clients expect.
Key Takeaway
AI was one of several tools used to meet the client’s objectives, but it was the experience of our legal linguists, project managers and formatting specialists that collectively transformed those tools into a successful outcome. Every legal matter presents a different balance of cost, speed and risk.
While this project demonstrates what is possible when AI is applied thoughtfully and supported by experienced legal linguists, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. The most appropriate solution will always depend on the intended use of the translation, the level of accuracy required, and whether certified or fully human translation is necessary.
When the circumstances are right, a carefully managed AI-assisted workflow can significantly reduce turnaround times while preserving the quality, reliability, and attention to detail demanded by complex legal matters.
If you’d like to discuss whether this approach could be appropriate for your next matter, or whether a fully human translation would be the better option, we’d be pleased to share our experience and help you determine the most suitable solution.