This paper deals with special-purpose translation and translation training in the field of law. It focuses on the translation of legal texts that are authentic instruments of law, i.e. they have the force of law. They include legal instruments that are equally authoritative in more than one language, such as multilingual legislative texts, international treaties, conventions, judgements and contracts. In accordance with the principle of equal authenticity, the courts are no longer permitted to give priority to original texts over translations for the purpose of interpretation, provided such translations have been authenticated in the process. This has placed greater pressure on translators to improve the quality of such texts; progress in this area has nevertheless been unsatisfactory. As the future of multilingualism is at stake in the mechanism of law, qualified legal translators are highly needed in Europe and elsewhere. This paper emphasizes the need for interdisciplinary programmes providing special training in legal translation.