This paper argues that there are different layers in legal language, and that the epistemic level of legal language is more relevant than the surface level of legal texts (statutes, judgments, decisions of public authorities, private documents) as linguistic end-products. The underlying assumption is that legal language is a complicated phenomenon and understanding different legal languages contains specific problems which are caused by the multiplicity of legal language itself which is duplicated when there is more than one language. Legal language contains not only different functions but also different levels of comprehension. Two examples are analysed in the paper: 1) language of ius commune and 2) language of English common law. Conclusions concern legal translation in a multi-lingual environment.