The U.S. Consulate in Frankfurt has put a hold on depositions for the indeterminate future. This should not deter attorneys who need to depose a German witness or witness residing in Germany, however. Just a little distance to the east of Frankfurt, Germany lies the charming metropolis of Prague, which, like Frankfurt, is renowned for her beer, among other things. Czechs surpass Germans in their consumption of beer, ranking first in the world in their thirst for the heady beverage. This is only one perk to moving your depos to Prague, however. The city has a lot to offer!
Prague makes taking depositions easy. There are no requirements regarding location, and any willing witness, regardless of nationality, can be deposed without previous permission from any Hague authority. Travel requirements are an equal relief, as they are about as minimal as it gets:
- Passport valid for three months past your departure date (Always advisable to keep at least six months validity past your departure date for any international travel)
- No visa required for stays under 90 days
- No recommended/required vaccines
There are fewer direct flights from the U.S. to Prague than Frankfurt, however. You may need to pack an extra book for the flight! Or download an extra book onto your device, if you aren’t an old fogey at heart like some of us.
Prague was the historical capital of Bohemia, and though the map of Europe has changed many times since those days, the city remains an important cultural and economic center of Eastern Europe. What this means for attorneys traveling here for depositions is that while you have the aesthetic benefit of the city’s old-world architecture, you do not need to sacrifice the modern benefits of technology or comfort. Prague is fully equipped to host your depositions in comfort and style, and anyone unable to attend in person can always attend via videoconference.
To keep the process simple, work alongside a global court reporting agency with reporters, videographers, and interpreters living all over Europe. Not only can they slash travel fees for the reporting team, but they know the best hotels and business centers to reserve conference rooms for your depositions. They will see to all those details, down to catering options. They know which print shops can pull off last-minute requests, should one of those exhibit emergencies occur.
Speaking of last minute, the more advanced notice, the better, particularly in the case of interpreters. Interpreters throughout Europe are kept extremely busy with work. Keep in mind, as well, that if the depos are likely to go long or involve highly technical matters, it is advisable to work with a pair of interpreters. Often interpreters in Europe will request or even insist on working with another interpreter for such depositions, so they can relieve each other at intervals. This teamwork reduces the strain and ensures accurate interpretation for the full length of the deposition.
Prague doesn’t just make depositions easy. This is a city easy on all the senses! The already-mentioned architecture will transport you back in time, the breweries offer a plethora of ales to tempt your tastebuds, and spoken Czech is fun to hear. Stroll across the famed Charles Bridge and join the locals and other tourists in Old Town Square. Here you will find music and street performers, delightful restaurants (try the pork knuckle, or kolenko), and the square itself may be the best part! Despite Prague’s tumultuous history, this enchanting part of the city is pretty much the same as it was 11 centuries ago. Other fun things to take in during your time in Prague include puppet shows (they are puppet as well as beer enthusiasts here), a KGB museum, cruises on the Vltava, and excellent jazz. Being such a convenient and cool hostess, Prague might make you glad Frankfurt took a little break from depos!
Planet Depos has long been covering depositions throughout Europe, taking their “make it happen” attitude and know-how across the pond. For more information on depositions anywhere in Europe, contact Planet Depos International Scheduling at 888.433.3767 or online.
