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Spanish translation: Plazo de caducidad y plazo de prescripción
09:07 May 9, 2020
English to Spanish translations [PRO] Law (general)
English term or phrase:Limitation periods and prescription periods
Hola a todos: ¿Puede alguien ayudarme con la traducción de limitation period y prescription period? ¿Se traducen ambos como plazo de prescripción? ¿Hay alguna diferencia?
Frase: Limitation periods and prescription periods are suspended.
Aparece en un documento de la UE sobre los efectos del COVID-19 en materia civil.
Explanation: Preguntas sobre la diferencia entre “limitation” y “prescription” y sobre si se traducen de forma idéntica o distinta.
Los términos en inglés "limitation” (= caducidad) y “prescription” (= prescripción”), como se emplean en textos de la UE, son tan diferentes como lo son en la propia legislación española.
“Limitation” equivale al español “caducidad”, que es una forma de extinción de derechos debido a que el usufructuario no hace uso de ellos, por la razón que sea. Ahora bien, y este es el punto clave para entender la diferencia con la “prescripción”, en el caso de la caducidad la finalización del plazo para el ejercicio de derechos NO supone la extinción de esos derechos. Como ejemplo citaré el caso de una multa impuesta a un infractor en materia de tráfico. El organismo responsable, la DGT en España, tiene un “derecho”, en este caso sancionador (sí, sé que suena extraño), que puede ejercer con el trámite de un expediente sancionador dirigido contra el infractor. Sin embargo, si la DGT no resuelve el expediente en el plazo legal establecido para la notificación al infractor, ese derecho, en este caso sancionador, caduca y la DGT deberá archivar el expediente, pero ello sin perjuicio de poder incoar un nuevo expediente sancionador por la infracción cometida, siempre que el plazo de prescripción legal para imponer sanciones (establecido en la ley que corresponda) no haya terminado (= prescrito).
Por su parte, “prescription” es la “prescripción” española, es más sencilla de entender, porque en este caso se trata de la extinción de un derecho (o también de una obligación) por el trascurso de un determinado lapso de tiempo fijado a partir de un instante concreto (por ejemplo, inicio de un plazo para presentación de solicitudes, etc.). Con la extinción del plazo, se extingue también el derecho y ya no puede ejercerse más.
(a) application to the Fondo di Garanzia (Guarantee Fund) for social security benefits under the ordinary system of the Decreto Legislativo (the `a regime (basic) system', according to the order for reference), which is also subject to a one-year time-limit, but that is a prescription period (6) as opposed to a limitation period after which the claim is forfeited;
a) la solicitud que tiene por objeto, en el sistema ordinario del Decreto Legislativo (sistema «a regime»), obtener prestaciones de Seguridad Social del Fondo de garantía, que está sujeta también al plazo de un año, que, sin embargo, es un plazo de prescripción (6) y no de caducidad;
“Prescripción” and “caducidad”: Different concepts
18:12 May 13, 2020
As I have already explained in my answer to your query, “prescripción” and “caducidad” are two different concepts with totally different meanings, so I fully agree with Rebecca on this point and it is worthless to continue discussing on something that is “beyond any reasonable doubt”. This being said, I feel that I am not helping you, Pilar, any further because I am incapable of solving your legitimate doubts as far as your original question is concerned. There are actually two questions at stake here: 1) Why do these two terms appear together (in such a short sentence)? And 2) Do they actually mean the same in this context, as Rebecca states, or do they have a distinctive meaning, as I feel it is the case? I believe the best way to go here is to turn to your client and ask for clarification (in case this is possible). But if this option is excluded, for whatever reasons, you, Pilar, can only analyze the full context and use your common sense to pick what you deem it is the best answer. Unfortunately, I am not in a position to help any further. If you get any feedback from your customer, please keep us duly posted. Thanks. Good evening to you and our esteemed colleague Rebecca.
Although both deal with the effect of the passage of time on the right to exercise rights, in my experience, "prescripción" and "caducidad" are not interchangeable and are not used in the same legal contexts. When I worked for five years as an in-house translator at the Elzaburu intellectual property law firm, we logically had to translate both concepts. In trademark litigation, for example, the right to appeal a decision of the trademark authorities "prescribe", i.e., the limitations period runs out, and the appeal can no longer be filed (“plazo de prescripción” and “limitations period” are procedural terms, referring to the permanent loss of a right of action). In a different context, under certain circumstances a trademark or a patent "caduca", i.e., lapses. One of the differences between the running of the statute of limitations and lapse is that when the limitations period has ended, the right in question can no longer be exercised. But when a right lapses, that right can sometimes be reinstated or restored. As an example, a patent may lapse due to nonpayment of a renewal fee, but many patent laws provide a term in which to make payment and reinstate a lapsed patent.
Sorry I haven't answered before. First of all thanks a lot for your help. So if I understand what you say limitation periods and prescription periods can be translated as plazo de prescripción (for example in those 7-word senteces, as Toni says, in which they appear together without more context) but if we do have to make a distinction would caducidad be the correct translation for Extinción de un derecho por el transcurso del tiempo conferido para su ejercicio, as in the following sentence Тhe prescription periods upon the lapse whereof rights are extinguished or acquired for individuals are suspended???? Thanks again
No, I am not. Once again: I agree with "lapse" for "caducidad" in Common Law systems, sure. But Rebecca, this is my point, this EU text might be dealing with legislation from a specific member State where this distinction (Spain perhaps?) does make sense and is even necessary.
I have already answered your question. Please read my argumentation line again from the start. I am not sure, though, if I am right, I concede. If Pilar can get confirmation from her customer that you are right, I shall post the corresponding agree and remove the neutral comment, what I have already said :-) Thank you again for sharing your immense expertise with all of us. Good day to all!
Thanks for your comments, Toni. I think we have "beaten this horse to death" and Pilar will have enough input here to make a decision on which perspective is right. But if she does go with your interpretation and two different concepts are indeed implied, would you please let us all know what differences you perceive between "limitations periods" and "prescription periods". It would enlighten all who read this exchange, I love to learn new things about Spanish and Anglo-American law, and Pilar would probably appreciate it for her translation. Thanks, I look forward to your reply!
Yes, I see your point, but if you read again the source I mentioned in my answer you will realize how this can be handled in a translation. Careful, I am not saying that you are wrong. I was just surprised by your confidence level (5), the structure of the source sentence and the example I found on Eur-Lex, the EU database!
Yes, "prescripción" (the running of the statute of limitations) and "caducidad" (lapse) are indeed two different legal concepts. But "limitations period" and "prescription period" are not related to "lapse" (caducidad).
Yes, it does make sense to use two expressions here, because (in my interpretation) they are talking about the same concept that some EU readers will understand as "limitation periods" and others as "prescription periods". (As I underscored previously, "limitations period" is a generally-accepted translation for "plazo de prescripción".) But if, as you suggest, there really are two concepts implied here, please let us know what you think the differences are and how you would express those differences in a Spanish translation.
Yes, I see. The key point here is, I believe, if this distinction is 1) necessary/justified and 2) in case the necessity does exist, how this need should be specified, i.e. how to render it. Or is this distinction just arbitrary and means nothing in the source???. What puzzles me is the mentioning in the source text of TWO clearly distinctive ideas (limitation vs. prescription) that might be the outcome of a national legislation being involved here and can (or should I say "must") be therefore rendered in a different way (see please my example) depending on a series of factors that I cannot judge in full.
No need to withdraw your misgivings or reservations! Legal translation is not an exact science and I shy away from translators who have the "right" translation or claim that only one rendering for a term is "correct". Context is everything, and perhaps Pilar will know if a distinction is warranted here. But if it is, how would you make the distinction in Spanish when translating "limitations periods and prescription periods"? I can't readily see how that might be done.
Thank you very much for your help. The text deals with the legislation of all State members and limitation and prescription are used in the case of Austria: Limitation periods (e.g. prescription) are suspended between 22/03 and 30/04, Bulgaria, Portugal or Romania: limitation and prescription time limits do not commence or they are suspended if they are running, during the state of emergency.
Thank you so much for your insight and clear explanations on this. Please do understand that I maintain my misgivings regarding your answer as I am not really sure if they are applicable to the case in question. If Pilar confirms what you say, be certain that I shall be pleased to support your suggestion and remove my reservations.
Automatic update in 00:
Answers
1 hr confidence: peer agreement (net): +3
limitation periods and prescription periods
Plazo de caducidad y plazo de prescripción
Explanation: Preguntas sobre la diferencia entre “limitation” y “prescription” y sobre si se traducen de forma idéntica o distinta.
Los términos en inglés "limitation” (= caducidad) y “prescription” (= prescripción”), como se emplean en textos de la UE, son tan diferentes como lo son en la propia legislación española.
“Limitation” equivale al español “caducidad”, que es una forma de extinción de derechos debido a que el usufructuario no hace uso de ellos, por la razón que sea. Ahora bien, y este es el punto clave para entender la diferencia con la “prescripción”, en el caso de la caducidad la finalización del plazo para el ejercicio de derechos NO supone la extinción de esos derechos. Como ejemplo citaré el caso de una multa impuesta a un infractor en materia de tráfico. El organismo responsable, la DGT en España, tiene un “derecho”, en este caso sancionador (sí, sé que suena extraño), que puede ejercer con el trámite de un expediente sancionador dirigido contra el infractor. Sin embargo, si la DGT no resuelve el expediente en el plazo legal establecido para la notificación al infractor, ese derecho, en este caso sancionador, caduca y la DGT deberá archivar el expediente, pero ello sin perjuicio de poder incoar un nuevo expediente sancionador por la infracción cometida, siempre que el plazo de prescripción legal para imponer sanciones (establecido en la ley que corresponda) no haya terminado (= prescrito).
Por su parte, “prescription” es la “prescripción” española, es más sencilla de entender, porque en este caso se trata de la extinción de un derecho (o también de una obligación) por el trascurso de un determinado lapso de tiempo fijado a partir de un instante concreto (por ejemplo, inicio de un plazo para presentación de solicitudes, etc.). Con la extinción del plazo, se extingue también el derecho y ya no puede ejercerse más.
(a) application to the Fondo di Garanzia (Guarantee Fund) for social security benefits under the ordinary system of the Decreto Legislativo (the `a regime (basic) system', according to the order for reference), which is also subject to a one-year time-limit, but that is a prescription period (6) as opposed to a limitation period after which the claim is forfeited;
a) la solicitud que tiene por objeto, en el sistema ordinario del Decreto Legislativo (sistema «a regime»), obtener prestaciones de Seguridad Social del Fondo de garantía, que está sujeta también al plazo de un año, que, sin embargo, es un plazo de prescripción (6) y no de caducidad;
Toni Castano Spain Local time: 07:19 Specializes in field Native speaker of: Spanish PRO pts in category: 228
peer agreement (net): +3