Preparation Tips For A Realtime Deposition

What is a Realtime Deposition?

Realtime court reporting is the live translation of a reporter’s stenotype writing into readable text. This service allows attorneys or other participants to connect to the realtime reporters’ computer and view the draft testimony on a laptop or tablet as it occurs. It is a valuable tool for complex litigation cases, arbitrations, and trials.

How Does a Realtime Deposition Work?

As testimony proceeds, the court reporter writes the testimony on their stenograph machine. A custom dictionary the reporter has prepared translates the steno back into written English language and displays it onto their computer. The written language is then transmitted securely to the attorney’s device for immediate viewing.

Realtime Deposition Preparation Tips

Before a realtime deposition

Schedule the realtime deposition with a qualified realtime court reporter. Effective deposition preparation begins with scheduling your proceeding with a qualified realtime court reporter.

It takes a specially trained reporter to conduct realtime depositions. Lexitas provides access to highly qualified realtime court reporters with an average tenure of more than 12 years, ensuring accuracy and reliability.

Provide as much background information to Lexitas as possible, including:

Terminology to be used and discussed – Ensures that technical terms, medical terms, acronyms and expert witness language, etc. will appear in the realtime feed accurately.
Suggested documents to provide to Lexitas would be pleadings, interrogatories, previously taken depositions in the case
Planned attendees – Ensures that all parties’ names appear correctly when referred to in the record.
Attendees using the realtime feed – this information is needed to ensure that the court reporter provides viewing equipment for all realtime viewing attendees

During a real-time deposition

Ensure that participants speak one at a time and at a controlled speed. On the day of the deposition, it is important for everyone to speak clearly and one at a time. This allows the witness to listen carefully and fully answer the questions and also allows other attorneys to object before proceeding. Speaking too quickly will also make it difficult for the court reporter to create a readable live transcript during the deposition process.

Not a Final Transcript. The realtime translation is not the final transcript. It is normal to see translation errors in the realtime feed. These will be resolved during transcript review and certification. It is a multi-phase process to ensure a certified transcript. Realtime is a helpful tool provided to attorneys and it is a rough draft of the reporter’s work product.

Pause at the end of a sentence (or other breaks). It’s up to the attorney asking the questions to keep the questions and answers flowing at an even, controlled pace so that the court reporter can record the transcript as smoothly and accurately as possible. It is recommended to consciously pause before asking the next question and to breathe at periods.

Remember that it’s a team effort. The best results occur when the attorneys and the court reporter work together. Taking breaks every hour is helpful and allows the reporter to make dictionary defines and get clarification of testimony if needed. Plus a little stretch, water and short breaks and water help maintain focus and accuracy.

After a realtime deposition

If requested, the court reporter may be able to arrange the delivery of a rough draft or an expedited transcript of the deposition.

The court reporter always strives to ensure that your deposition goes smoothly and professionally. Partner with Lexitas for realtime court reporting services you can trust, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and efficiency for your next deposition.

Why Realtime Reporting is Valuable

Realtime reporting offers benefits that extend beyond convenience. Attorneys gain immediate access to a realtime feed of testimony, which allows them to adjust their line of questioning in the moment. This can be especially useful when working with an expert witness, as technical terminology can be verified for accuracy as it is spoken.

The ability to follow along with a live transcript also helps attorneys listen carefully and ensure that no detail is overlooked. Having a visible question and answer record in real time makes it easier to track objections, clarify testimony, and refine trial strategy.

Ultimately, realtime reporting strengthens the deposition process by giving legal teams instant insight into the record, improving both efficiency and case preparation. With qualified Lexitas realtime reporters, attorneys can be confident that every word is captured accurately and in compliance with court standards.

FAQs about Realtime Deposition

What does realtime mean in court reporting?

Realtime reporting refers to the immediate translation of spoken testimony into text using specialized stenographic equipment and software. Attorneys can follow along as the testimony is captured, providing a live feed of the deposition transcript.

Can a deposition help win a case?

Depositions play a critical role in shaping case outcomes. Testimony can reveal facts that support settlement, highlight inconsistencies that affect credibility, or provide evidence to strengthen trial strategy. Effective deposition preparation is essential to maximizing these advantages.

What are the two types of court reporting?

Court reporting generally falls into two categories: stenographic reporting, where a reporter uses a steno machine to capture every word, and realtime reporting, which instantly translates steno into on-screen text for participants to review during proceedings.

How long does an average deposition last?

The length of a deposition varies by case complexity. Standard depositions may last two to three hours, while more complex matters can extend up to a full day or longer under the rules of civil procedure.

What usually happens during a deposition?

During a deposition, a witness provides sworn testimony outside of court. Attorneys ask questions to gather evidence, while a court reporter records every word to produce an official transcript. This testimony may later be used to support motions, evaluate settlement options, or impeach a witness at trial.

How long after a deposition will a case settle?

Settlement timing depends on case dynamics. While some cases resolve shortly after depositions clarify the facts, others may require additional discovery, negotiations, or court hearings before reaching a resolution.

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