Stress-free International Depositions

By Suzanne Quinson

The additional layers involved in coordinating international depositions can act as stress triggers.  Anything out of the ordinary can bring out one’s apprehensive side, and even paralegals and attorneys with international deposition experience can become a bit anxious when they determine that a deposition in India or France is necessary. However, just one key step can annihilate that sense of dread and ensure smooth sailing as you move through the process of scheduling and taking international depositions.

Partnering with a court reporting firm with years of experience coordinating depositions all over the world will go a long way toward eliminating stress.  Allow them to direct you to local print and shred vendors or work with those vendors on your behalf!  With their experience abroad, they also know the best locations to take depositions in Hong Kong, for example.  Simply provide your specifications for a location, and let them reserve the conference room for you.  Your local reporter and videographer can coordinate any last-minute on-the-ground logistics as soon as you communicate them.

If you are uncertain as to visa requirements for your destination, ask the court reporting firm.  You don’t want to find out the day before the deposition that someone on your team doesn’t have the necessary visa to enter the country!  They will be happy to not only let you know visa and passport requirements, but they may have tips for you on how to speed up the process.  They can recommend hotels throughout Europe, Asia, and other far regions of the globe as well.  They can even pass on packing tips!  For example, if you’re heading to Osaka for depositions at the Consulate, the reporter and videographer living right next door to the Consulate can let you know what the weather conditions are so that you can prepare accordingly.

Not only can the international team relieve your worries about travel, they can also ensure that the process of scheduling and taking your international deposition is as smooth as scheduling in the U.S.  You can still receive realtime on your own laptop (or a loaner from the reporter; one less thing to pack and haul through customs!), as well as roughs at the end of each day’s proceedings.  Realtime can also be streamed to any participants back in the U.S.  Should you choose videoconferencing to accommodate those colleagues unable to travel for the deposition, a test call will be conducted with the overseas site beforehand to confirm a strong, stable connection.  Mobile videoconferencing is also an option, with the videographer acting as a technician as well, to monitor the connection and keep things running smoothly.

When working with an experienced global firm with a professional team covering all the details of your depositions abroad, you will receive the guidance you need to guarantee no detail is missed.  Any anxiety that you had about the process will evaporate when you put yourself in their capable hands, and you can even get tips on how to best enjoy your free time when you reach your destination!

For more information on international depositions, or to schedule, contact Planet Depos International Scheduling at 888.433.3767 or international@planetdepos.com.

By Suzanne Quinson