Travel Tips for Court Reporters and Depositions in Asia

Traveling as part of a legal team or as a court reporter abroad can be a fun part of the job for the prepared explorer. You never know where a case will take you. There are assignments that will take you to the largest cities--and others that take you to the smallest towns. Here are a few tips for arranging depositions in Asia and travelling safely abroad. 

International court reporting agencies send talent wherever there is need. Like depositions in the United States, Asia-based legal teams may have to travel to small towns. But, what is a "small" town in Asia? One Planet Depos court reporter, Trevor, found that one small town in Taiwan called Douliu City was more foreign than actually "small" by American standards. 

You sent a court reporter where?!

According to Wikipedia, some people consider Douliu the political and economic (physical) center of the Taiwan and the main city in Yunlin County. With a population of 100,000, Douliu is not a small town by American standards. In Asia it is downright tiny. When our court reporter, Trevor, arrived he was excited to see what a small city in Taiwan looked like. And he was not disappointed.

Travel Tips for Court Reporters

1. Check in with the concierge 

The concierge at your hotel is a great way to orientate yourself in a new city, perhaps especially in small towns. Taiwan is famous for night markets where locals and tourists roam the city streets for food, drinks, and shopping nightly. But travelling abroad can be overwhelming. In Trevor’s case, the concierge gave all the needed advice about the unique night market of Douliu. Check in with the concierge as soon as you are settled into your room. 

Since Douliu is a relatively small town for Asia, its night market is relatively unknown outside of Taiwan. Unlike other night markets, it only runs once a week. It really is a locals-only market. Yet it ranks as one of the best in the country. Trevor's assignment taking depositions in Asia had lead him to an amazing opportunity. 

2. Get local perspective

Asking a reputable local is smart, if a concierge is unavailable. Your assignment may have a local colleague available to guide you. Check how safe the area is and ask for tips whenever going into a new environment, especially off the beaten path. The hotel's concierge is particularly careful about advice. However, other reputable figures may be tourist boards, embassies, and hosts.

For our court reporter, the tips from the concierge made dinner during business travel more than a meal:

"As I wandered the market, I took in the smells and the sights, but what I found most interesting was the energy. I was welcomed by everyone, and people were excited to share their wares and products with me. I was quickly full eating homemade gyoza dumplings, various meat on a stick, and fresh-squeezed vinegar lemonade. I love trying new things. Douliu was a really neat experience and just one more place that Planet Depos covers in the great, big continent of Asia."

3. Keep the address on you

Know how to get back. Take a card from the hotel with you that has the hotel name and address. If there is a bilingual concierge or hotel agent, they can write a note on the card in the native language. Show this to any drivers you use.

4. Choose a recognizable or international brand when possible

Choose international brands or recognizable locations when booking hotels or deposition rooms. When scheduling depositions in smaller towns overseas, it is easy to make a blunder. Major international cities like Hong Kong and London offer a range of recognizable hotel names, making choosing a location for your deposition and stay fairly simple. Whenever possible, go with a known quantity or something highly rated by international travel sites. Relying on recognizable hotel brands can provide consistency and help you coordinate with fellow travelers. Even if they don't speak the language, cab drivers and other locals can probably recognize the name of well-known spots.

5. Anticipate language needs

Do they speak English? Smaller towns don’t always have larger hotel chain or English-speaking staff. Check ahead to see if there is a liaison at the hotel or meeting venue. This is where an on-the-ground team really proves their value. 

Agency service includes providing high-quality real-time translation to attorneys, either on their own laptops or loaners courtesy of the reporter. A videographer can also be provided. They are skilled technicians who can step in to resolve any technical difficulties, in addition to recording the proceedings in high definition.

6. Get help with logistics from a locally knowledgeable agency

Ask your international court reporting agency for help with hotel, deposition, and travel arrangements. Better than referring you to the best location, they can reserve it on your behalf and take care of all related details, from security to catering. They not only know which locations can handle the technical aspects of the deposition, they will take care of test calls, printing and shredding needs for your exhibits, and can offer advice as to how to reach the smaller towns from the big ones. 

Travel assistance may also be available to the traveling court reporter and visiting legal teams. International court reporting agencies can arrange escort to and from airports and train stations. They can ensure you have the correct ticket and are on the right track.