THE OPPORTUNITY OF VERBATIM REPORTING IN THE NIGERIAN COURT PROCEEDINGS, DEPOSITIONS AND BEYOND: HOW TO BENEFIT FROM IT

Have you been inquisitive or considering the use of a verbatim reporter in a deposition or a meeting that you need accurate official transcripts almost immediately? Perhaps you are just curious and would like to have a bit of a better idea what verbatim reporting is or is not. Maybe you are just curious as to its benefits to the legal profession. If any of these is true to you, then you need to read this completely.

Stenographers are a bit more popular to the general public compared to verbatim reporters but the services that a verbatim reporter delivers includes that which a stenographer provides and more. So, a verbatim reporter can be said to be a stenographer but the same cannot be said of a stenographer as a verbatim reporter. The words stenography, court reporting and verbatim reporting are most times used interchangeably.

 

Verbatim reporting

Verbatim Reporting is a skilled service that is about transcribing exact verbal communication on a real-time basis by professional stenographers. This is required in the courts for an accurate record of what transpired in terms of all communication by participants (judges, lawyers, witnesses, etc.). A court reporter will often be called upon to read back verbatim statements or evidence during legal proceedings. Accuracy is of the essence in giving a full and complete record of what took place live in the court. All the words of the participants are recorded verbatim and transcribed instantly and the transcript made available almost immediately after the court sitting. Verbatim or court reporters produce the official transcripts of court hearings, depositions and other official proceedings.

 

Benefits of Verbatim reporting in court proceedings

The benefits of such a service in a court proceeding are immense. It saves judges a large amount of time from the manual recording of deliberations. Delays in recording facts and points by the different parties are eliminated. Time is saved and stress is reduced.  It allows for a smooth and uninterrupted flow of proceedings. It takes a very short time for the court record to become available to those who require it.

Verbatim reporters or court reporters are specially trained to use special equipment to capture and transcribe the communications during proceedings. They principally use a special compact typewriter-like equipment or voice writing software to capture proceedings in real-time. They create a word for word documentation of witness statements, pre-trial depositions, hearings, arbitration sessions, meetings and conferences.

Jurisdiction of Verbatim reporters service

The services of verbatim reporters extend beyond the courtrooms. They can be used at general meetings of organizations, special events, conferences etc. With the use of audiovisual equipment, the deaf or those with any form of hearing impairment can read conversations in real-time in a courtroom, during a meeting etc.

The formal education requirement for a verbatim reporter is between 2 – 4 years. It requires more in terms of formal education compared to a stenographer. The training court reporters or verbatim reporters receive means they are able to perform other duties beyond transcription. Unlike stenographers, they are able to work hand in hand with a judge, can do research and also perform some administrative services.

Verbatim reporters can work in courts or legislatures for local or state governments. Some do freelance work outside the courtroom for things that require an official legal transcript. Closed captioning services are also provided by verbatim reporters for hearing-impaired individuals, notary services or TV stations. Their services are highly valuable.

 

Are you involved in any deposition, Annual General Meetings, Conference, events etc. that require accurate records of the entire communication? You will find the services of a verbatim reporter highly beneficial to you.

If you need any clarification or do require any help with verbatim reporting, shoot us an email on – support@legalpediaonline.com. Or Call us on +2348086758325

 

To your Success

Luke Ikekpolor