Frequently Asked Questions

1.     Do you transcribe audio/video files that I can use in my legal case and for court purpose?

Yes.  Our court reporters will write out your audio/video files using their stenography machines and then will edit the transcript to ensure you are provided an accurate transcript including identifying the speakers and writing out everything that is heard on the recording.

2.     What makes your transcripts "official and certified"?

Our court reporters are all certified shorthand reporters and part of the Alberta Shorthand Reporters of Alberta.  They are also all Commissioner of Oaths and adhere to all Rules of Court.

Our transcripts have a title page listing the date, file number, speakers, and transcriptionist details.  Each transcript will have a Certificate of Transcript at the end that is signed by the official court reporter.

3.     What type of file can I send in?

We can transcribe any audio file. (MP3, WAV, WMA, MP4, MOV, AVI, Opus) 

4.     How can I send my audio to Court Reporting Network?

Send us an email to info@courtreportingnetwork.ca and let us know how long of a file you have and what your turnaround time is.  You can attach your audio to the email.  As some files are large, feel free to compress to a ZIP folder.  If you are sending a Dropbox, Google Drive link, make sure you provide permission for us to use the link.  

5.     How much will a transcription of an audio/video file cost me?

We charge per hour and per page.  If your audio is under one hour, the minimum rate is $35.  If it is longer than one hour, then it will be $30/hour.

We have different page rates depending on the turnaround time you need.  Email us to obtain a quote.

6.     How do I know how many pages my audio/video file will be?

We estimate that one hour of audio will be between 50 to 60 pages.  This is just an estimate as it may be more or less pages depending on how fast the speakers talk, if there is pauses or breaks in the audio, or if there are many speakers.  Feel free to send us your audio for a free quote.

7.     What are your turnaround times?

We offer same day turnaround, next day turnaround, 3-day turnaround, 5-day turnaround, and 10-day turnaround.  ("Days are counted in business days)

8.     How do I pay for transcription services?

Court Reporting Network will email you a QuickBooks invoice on the day your transcript is ready for production.  Once this invoice is paid via credit card or e-Transfer, we will email you a copy of the transcripts.

9.     What format will I receive my transcripts in?

For each audio file, we will send you an Original PDF transcript, Copy PDF transcript, and Copy Word transcript.  There will be one original and two copy transcripts for you to use as you wish. 

1.   What is court reporting?

We don’t need to tell you what court reporting is; you already know. Court Reporters are the people on TV court shows pretending to use the funny-looking machine under their chins… Just kidding!

Court reporters are highly-trained individuals who are taught several subjects in school such as English (punctuation and grammar), law courses, medical terminology, computer software training, and how to read and write shorthand on a steno machine. 

2.   How fast do you have to be to finish court reporting school?

Court reporting students complete speed tests at varying levels, and they graduate when they pass tests at the speed of 225 words a minute with a 95% accuracy rate.

(Fun Fact – Court reporters don’t call what they do “typing”; they call it “writing.”) 

3.   What kind of a machine do court reporters use?

The machines used by reporters are often referred to as a shorthand machine or steno writer.  They are a specialized chorded keyboard with only 22 keys.  Multiple keys are pressed simultaneously to write whole syllables, words, and phrases with a single hand motion.  Think of playing piano chords versus typing on a regular computer keyboard one letter at a time.

4.   What does a freelance court reporter do on the job?

On the job, court reporters write exactly what is being said by multiple people who talk at various speeds, accents, and volumes in proceedings such as a questioning, interview, meeting, hearing, or court trial. They are integral to the legal process. The record is essential to every party that attends these proceedings as well as the future of any case. 

5.   What other duties do court reporters do while on the job?

Court reporters are responsible for not only writing and recording what is being said, but court reporters are also a Commissioner of Oaths and swear in witnesses before proceedings, mark exhibits, confirm spellings of names and terms, and ensure everyone speaking is loud enough to be heard and that people don’t talk over each other.

6.   Is a court reporter finished their job after they are done writing it?

Oh, no!  A court reporter’s job doesn’t end there.  After the job is written, it is scoped, proofed, and a final transcript with exhibits and undertaking requests are laid out in an organized index. Transcripts that are produced by a court reporter are certified documents that ensure the accuracy of what was said by all parties in attendance.

7.   What is “scoping” and “proofing”?

Scoping means reading the transcript on a computer with the associated digital audio to ensure the court reporter captured every word spoken during the proceeding.  Scopists are responsible for typing in missed words, speakers, and filling in undertaking requests, exhibit descriptions, and may need to research spellings. 

Proofing is done after scoping, and this is where the transcript is printed out and read for punctuation.  They also ensure nothing was missed in the scoping process.  A court reporter is trained to do all three steps:  writing, scoping, and proofing.  There are also trained scopists and proofreaders that court reporters employ to help with the production of transcripts.

8.   Are court reporters scared that digital recorders and speak-to-text programs will take over their career?

NOT A CHANCE! Digital recorders definitely have a place in this industry, but it will never be the industry standard.  Digital recorders are used as a backup by all court reporters, and they are also used for meetings, interviews, and more casual proceedings.  They are also used in some courtrooms, and when a transcript is ordered, it is then transcribed by transcriptionists.  Court reporters are still present in courtrooms for select criminal and civil court trials.

9.   Why is having a live, certified court reporter important?

Imagine a room with several people in it.  The reporter makes each person a specific speaker identification in their dictionary so that every time they speak, the right name comes up.  They will also ensure to have only one speaker at a time.  Everybody speaks in a different volume, accent, speed, and having a court reporter in attendance allows them to ask people to speak up or repeat and also ask for clarifications or spellings.  There can also be a lot of background noise in a room full of people:  coughing, flipping pages, background talking.  This can be very hard to transcribe just from audio and may result having (indiscernible) or (inaudible) peppered throughout the transcript where the transcriptionist is unable to hear.  You will not get (indiscernible) or (inaudible) in a transcript with a live, certified reporter present.

A live court reporter is considered the guardian of the record.