Court reporters are amazing. Having worked with them myself for close to a decade now, I can say this without hesitation. They build massive subject-matter dictionaries, they keep a good poker face, meet crazy quick deadlines, they stay on top of the latest technology, and are consummate professionals. Court reporters, however, for all their amazing powers, are not magical. Put a few protocols into practice, though, and you will wonder if your court reporter is at least a little bit magical. One of the key components that enhances their abilities is the use of court reporting technology for efficiency. This technology helps streamline the entire reporting process, allowing them to focus more on accuracy and detail. As a result, their work not only saves time but also significantly improves the quality of the transcripts produced.
The first thing you should do to give your court reporter an edge is send them prep materials. Remember that dictionary they build? The more names and terminology relevant to your case they have, the better. Patents, expert reports, etc., are examples of materials the conscientious court reporter longs for when preparing for your depositions. This is even more true for depositions in big case matters, or any deposition requiring realtime. Keep in mind, the earlier you send these precious documents, the better, and there is no such thing as too many preparation materials.
Speaking of documents, the most important to the court reporter is the Notice of Deposition. This saves time and trouble on the day of the deposition. With the Notice supplied ahead of time, the reporter already knows the parties and appearances before the deposition and doesn’t need to bother counsel for this basic case information. With so many depositions taking place virtually, it can be tricky for the court reporter to get all the information from counsel at the time of the deposition, so the Notice is immensely helpful if your deposition will be remote!
Those are the things to take care of prior to the deposition. At the conclusion of the deposition, the court reporter expects the read and sign instructions to the witness to be provided by counsel. The court reporter is bound by a professional code of ethics to avoid even the appearance of impropriety. Even a suggestion by the court reporter to the witness that he or she has the right to read and sign may breach this code by intercepting the strategy of one of the parties. It is worth noting that if the witness does not waive his or her right to read and sign and the transcript is not ordered by either party, a transcript will not be produced until one of the parties requests it. the deposition strategies for effective testimonies should also consider the demeanor and preparedness of the witness. This can significantly impact how information is conveyed and perceived by those present. Additionally, practicing responses to possible questions can help the witness articulate their thoughts clearly, leading to a more successful deposition outcome.
A good court reporter makes all the difference in the deposition room. Good reporters are at the top of their game when they have everything they need to prepare ahead of time, and can focus 100% on fulfilling their role, preserving the record. To that end, make these good calls and protocols your own. In addition to mastering local laws and procedures, court reporter qualifications for international cases require an understanding of various legal systems and languages. This knowledge ensures accurate transcriptions and can greatly enhance the efficiency of cross-border legal proceedings. By investing in training and resources, reporters can elevate their skills to meet these diverse demands.
Planet Depos was founded by court reporters and has been providing best-in-class court reporting and deposition services for over a decade. To schedule your next deposition, contact Planet Depos at 888.433.3736 or schedule online.
