Use of Legal Videoconferencing Increasing

Today’s economic climate is affecting law firm buying decisions. Law firms are being pressured by their clients to keep litigation expenses down, and one of the ways law firms are managing discovery expenses is with the use of legal videoconferencing. With the globalization of litigation, depositions are not only taking place across the country, but also overseas in Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore, India, London, Korea and Australia, to name just a few. Travel costs, including air fare, hotel rooms, transportation and meals can add up quickly, not to mention the lost time as a result of delays, cancellations and jet lag. Luckily, with the use of high-speed Internet, a camera, a TV and a reputable court reporting agency, lawyers and their clients can save a significant amount of money. A videoconferencing connection can be established in two ways: ISDN or IP. ISDN is the traditional way videoconferencing is done, through a series of six phone lines. IP, on the other hand, is the newer technology that transmits the audio and video through an Internet connection. A bridge can be used in two situations: first, when connecting an ISDN site with an IP site and, second, when there is a need to connect multiple parties in various locations to the same videoconference. So how does videoconferencing work for depositions? Many court reporting agencies have their own in-house videoconferencing facilities. This is a significant time saver for the attorney, paralegal and legal secretary because the court reporter, videographer, interpreter and videoconference (both the near and far ends) can be arranged with one phone call or email to the court reporting agency. Don’t be afraid to contact your court reporting agency and ask for an estimate before booking. There are some situations where traveling to the deposition by car or train may be more economical. This will really depend on the time, location and duration of the deposition. Before calling to schedule your videoconference, be prepared to provide the following information:

1. The location of the witness. The court reporter is usually present with the witness so they can administer the oath and obtain the most accurate record.
2. The location of the attorneys. Will all counsel be in the same location and/or city?
3. How long will the deposition last? This is important information because you will pay for the duration of the reservation even if you finish early. Also, many videoconferencing rooms are booked throughout the day, so it is important to have a good time estimate so you are not paying for time you don’t need or, worse yet, forced to end the deposition by phone because the room was not reserved for an adequate amount of time.
4. Do you want the deposition videotaped? Remember, once the deposition by videoconference concludes, the only record of the proceedings is the stenographic record. If you want a video recording of the deposition, be sure to ask to have a videographer present with the witness.

That’s it. The court reporting agency will handle the rest. Videoconferencing is a quick, easy and inexpensive way to conduct your out-of-town depositions. No matter where you need to take a deposition, Planet Depos can arrange your videoconference and all the other details with one call or email. Contact us today at 888.433.3767 to receive more information and a quote.