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Real-Time Transcription
Practical Law Glossary Item 7-520-4550 (Approx. 3 pages)
Glossary
Real-Time Transcription
Simultaneously transcribing spoken words and streaming them to a computer or large screen through cables or a wireless internet connection. A court reporter produces a real-time transcript with a computer that is equipped with software capable of translating stenographic symbols into words. Real-time transcription is often used at depositions and trials to permit attorneys and other participants to immediately view a rough transcript of the testimony and court proceedings.
Real-time transcription has many benefits. For example, it allows an attorney to:
- Read testimony as it is spoken, which helps her to:
- elicit the desired testimony; and
- make appropriate objections.
- Obtain a rough transcript of the deposition or trial immediately after it concludes.
- Annotate key parts of the transcript for future reference.
- Stream the transcript through a secure internet connection to colleagues, experts, and clients who are not present at the deposition or trial.
- Take fewer notes.
Real-time transcription also has some disadvantages. For example:
- The attorney must have a laptop and plan ahead for the technical and logistical issues inherent in using real-time transcription technology.
- The quality of the real-time transcript depends on the court reporter's skills. If the reporter is unable to accurately transcribe everything said, the real-time transcript is of limited use.
- Real-time transcription costs more than traditional transcription, where a court reporter provides the transcript to counsel days after the deposition or trial.