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Realtime court reporting is a process whereby a trained court reporter, using a steno machine, notebook computer and realtime software, provides instant word-for-word speech-to-text translation for display. When the software was initially developed, the only person who could benefit from the realtime display was the court reporter; there was no ability for others to view the text. But today, a whole host of options and uses are available. Neeson and Associates, a court reporting firm in Toronto, Ontario offers transcription services in a variety of mediums. Realtime in the litigation setting – lawyers and judges may use their laptops, which are loaded with litigation support software such as Summation, to view the realtime feed directly from the reporter or stenographer. This software gives the ability to read the testimony as it is occurring; to mark and annotate text during the discovery or hearing or later; to perform word searches instantly; to print the transcript at day’s end; and to be able to conduct a review of the day’s testimony with colleagues and experts prior to the conclusion of an examination. For those who are uncomfortable with the presence of a computer in front of them during a hearing, a rough draft transcript can be produced at day’s end. Realtime via the internet – Not only can counsel be connected to the court reporter’s laptop, but experts or co-counsel can log into the hearing via the internet and view the testimony as its happening. With instant messaging features, for example, co-counsel could send messages back and forth with comments and questions to ask. Wireless technology – many realtime court reporters are now using secure wireless realtime “send” and “receive” devices. You can be sitting 300 feet away from the court reporter and receive your realtime transcript text with no wires to trip over. Multiple participants in the hearing can be connected to the wireless feed; as such, this technology in particular lends itself to large cases where counsel may be far away from the reporter and the witness and in difficult hearing range of the proceedings. Hearing difficulties – realtime court reporting can allow those with any kind of hearing loss to fully participate in the proceedings. Neeson & Associates has provided this type of service to deaf and hard of hearing lawyers and also to other participants in the justice system, including accused persons and witnesses. Realtime court reporting can also assist those for whom English is a second language or who may have certain learning disabilities, where not only hearing the spoken word but seeing it gives these people a better understanding of what is being said. Neeson and Associates is comprised of a large staff of court reporters, servicing the Toronto Ontario and surrounding areas. They offer court reporting and transcription for an assortment of cases.
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