Most people think clients of legal transcription services to be limited to courts and attorney offices. In reality, a growing number of private and public sector clients are using court reporters to provide ironclad documentation of business discussions.

The Importance of Documentation

There is an adage in the business world: If it isn't written down, it didn't happen. Listeners tend to hear the same conversation differently and even two honest people can remember different versions of a verbal agreement a week later. What is needed is an unbiased record of the discussion and that is what legal transcription services do.

Deposition services have their root in our legal system. Court reporters provide written documentation, which is accepted as an accurate record of a witness's statement. In a system where the difference of a word can completely change the outcome of a legal action, accuracy is paramount.

Corporate and government clients have seen how that commitment to creating a complete and precise record benefits them. Events ranging from routine company meetings to critical union negotiations can be documented for later review, ensuring everyone "remembers" the same version of events.

Recordings Aren't Good Enough

People unfamiliar with legal transcription services may think recording a conversation provides an adequate record, and a tape recorder doesn't cost as much as a certified court reporter. However recordings are notoriously unreliable. Unless an experienced audio technician is present, microphones may pick up too much background noise or not be placed to allow clear recording of spoken statements. On a recording, a mumble is still a mumble and participants may later disagree on what was actually said.

The advantage of using legal transcription services is a business gets a skilled professional whose sole purpose is to create an accurate record of the event. Court reporters won't let mumbled comments slide. If they can't make out what was said, they will ask participants to repeat themselves and speak more clearly.

How Do You Find a Good Court Reporting Agency?

Other agencies might offer event documentation, but no industry provides the level of skill and accuracy that legal transcription services do. Court reporters have specific and verifiable training and experience which make them uniquely suited to providing written transcripts of conversations.

Ideally you want a court reporter that holds the RPR (Registered Professional Reporter) certification. This is the first level of reporting certification and demonstrates a specific level of proficiency and knowledge. Other certification such as the RMR and RDR are more advanced but all certifications build on the RPR.

If your company has an attorney, ask the attorney's office what agency they use. Ask business partners if they have used legal transcription services. Referrals are the best way to find a good agency. If you can't find a referral, review a prospective reporter's experience and ask for references.