Scheduling and Taking Depositions: Tips for Paralegals and Lawyers

Before the Deposition

• Determine the venue after verifying that the lighting, seating, heating and air conditioning allow for good ventilation and visual conditions, and that photocopying and internet connections are available.
• Include the court reporting, videography and interpreter firms in the Deposition Notice.
• Verify with the court reporting, videography and interpreting firms that the Notice was received and the deposition calendared.
• Work with the court reporting firm’s Scheduling Department to arrange for:
  • Any changes in time or venue
  • Transcript delivery, i.e., regular or expedited
  • Realtime connections, local or remote
  • A rough transcript, if needed
  • Videography services
  • Equipment rental, i.e., laptops, iPads, tablets, projection equipment or screens
• If the case is technical, provide a case-specific list of terms to the reporting firm so that the reporter may program those terms into his/her stenotype job dictionary.

At the Deposition

• Introduce yourself to the reporter and videographer and provide your business card.
• If you have exhibits to be introduced, consider providing them to the court reporter to be pre-marked before going on the record.
• Do not sit on the same side of the table as the witness, as it causes the witness to turn his/her back to the reporter.
• Remind the witness that “uh-huh’s” or “huh-uh’s” should be avoided, as they do not appear in the transcript as clearly positive or negative responses.

Before Leaving the Deposition Room

• Ask the court reporter if he/she has all of the spellings he/she needs.
• Verify the delivery timetable for the final transcript and synchronized video.
• Clarify who will be retaining the exhibits.
• If an order form is available, use it to ensure that your needs are met.
• If possible, give the court reporter a few minutes to briefly clean up the rough transcript before disconnecting the realtime feed.

Planet Depos has realtime certified court reporters, as well as highly skilled, trained videographers capable of providing you with top-tier reporting and videography services for all of your court reporting needs across America and around the World. Contact us as 888.433.3767 or scheduling@planetdepos.com.