Common English Mistakes in Court Documents by German Speakers

This page focuses on errors typically made by native German speakers from Germany when writing a Court Document in English.

Mistake Example #1

Incorrect word order in subordinate clauses

In the matter of the defendant, it is argued that the evidence, whichwas presentedwas, does not sufficiently prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The witness, whose testimony was given, stated that at the time of the incident, the defendant was not present at the scene. Therefore, it is requested that the charges, whichare against the defendantare, be reconsidered in light of the new information provided.

Text corrected by:
Gregg, Los Angeles, CA

"This needed some fixes to correct word order problems."

In the matter of the defendant, it is argued that the evidence which was presented does not sufficiently prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The witness whose testimony was given stated that at the time of the incident, the defendant was not present at the scene. Therefore, it is requested that the charges which are against the defendant be reconsidered in light of the new information provided.

In the matter of the defendant, it is argued that the evidence, which presented was, does not sufficiently prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The witness, who testimony was given, stated that at the time of the incident, the defendant was not present at the scene. Therefore, it is requested that the charges, which against the defendant are, be reconsidered in light of the new information provided.

Mistake Example #2

Capitalizing all nouns (following German grammar rules)

In the Mmatter of the Ddispute between the Pplaintiff and the Ddefendant, the Ccourt has received the Ppetition for the Rresolution of the Ccontract Ddispute. The Pplaintiff claims that the Ddefendant has breached the Aagreement by failing to deliver the Ggoods as specified in the Ccontract. The Ccourt requests that both Pparties submit their Eevidence and Wwitness Sstatements by the Ddeadline set forth in the Oorder.

Text corrected by:
Gregg, Los Angeles, CA

"This needed some tweaking to correct capitalization errors."

In the matter of the dispute between the plaintiff and the defendant, the court has received the petition for the resolution of the contract dispute. The plaintiff claims that the defendant has breached the agreement by failing to deliver the goods as specified in the contract. The court requests that both parties submit their evidence and witness statements by the deadline set forth in the order.

In the Matter of the Dispute between the Plaintiff and the Defendant, the Court has received the Petition for the Resolution of the Contract Dispute. The Plaintiff claims that the Defendant has breached the Agreement by failing to deliver the Goods as specified in the Contract. The Court requests that both Parties submit their Evidence and Witness Statements by the Deadline set forth in the Order.

Mistake Example #3

Overuse of passive voice

The contract was reviewed by the legal teamreviewed the contract, andit was decided by the courtteam decided that the terms were not met by the defendant. It was argued by tThe plaintiffargued that damages were incurred, and compensation should be awarded. The evidence was presented by both parties, and the judge will reacha verdictwill be reached by the judge next week.

Text corrected by:
Jennifer, Detroit, Michigan USA

"Good work! I changed some of the passive voice constructions to the active voice, but I left some of them as-is because the passive voice is commonly used in legal writing."

The legal team reviewed the contract, and the court team decided that the terms were not met by the defendant. The plaintiff argued that damages were incurred, and compensation should be awarded. The evidence was presented by both parties, and the judge will reach a verdict next week.

The contract was reviewed by the legal team, and it was decided by the court that the terms were not met by the defendant. It was argued by the plaintiff that damages were incurred, and compensation should be awarded. The evidence was presented by both parties, and a verdict will be reached by the judge next week.