Legal transcription can be used in many different areas – from formal courtroom proceedings to an attorney’s voice notes. Given the many options available for converting audio to text, knowing which method to choose can be challenging.
Determining the right transcription technique will depend on several factors, including the audio quality and the budget, but one of the most important is the type of proceeding or event. Here are several reasons legal professionals may use transcription solutions and insights on the best methods for each one.
Courtroom Proceedings
Court proceedings, including trials and hearings, involve strict rules and procedures. They’re also live events, meaning the transcription option needs to be able to work in real time. Traditionally, a stenographer would handle the transcription services for these events. In many cases, they still do. However, voice and digital court reporters also serve in this role.
AI-powered options like automated speech recognition (ASR) can’t perform the official role of the court reporter, don’t format transcripts based on statutory requirements and lack the required accuracy levels. Digital court reporters use ASR as a tool that helps complete the process, but they also perform the role of the official person in the room and offer an extra layer of editing and support.
Main Features: Live, Formal
Best Solutions: Human Court Reporter, ASR with a Human Layer
Depositions
Like courtroom proceedings, depositions are live interviews that involve many rules and formalities. Court reporters don’t just capture the record when they attend a deposition. These professionals also play an official role during the event, swearing in the witnesses, marking exhibits, ensuring that the parties follow proper procedures, asking for clarification to preserve the record and certifying the final transcript. Additionally, during the deposition, they perform readbacks for the attorneys upon request.
As such, fully automated transcription solutions aren’t a viable option, but ASR is one tool a court reporter might use to produce a transcript. While the number of digital court reporters who handle depositions is growing rapidly, stenographers and voice reporters also perform this role.
Additionally, examinations under oath (EUO), which are similar to depositions but are part of a formal insurance investigation, may require a court reporter. Digital court reporters will often perform this role.
Main Features: Live, Formal
Best Solutions: Human Court Reporter, ASR with a Human Layer
Dictation
Not everyone is a great typist. Some people prefer to take voice notes. Dictation can help attorneys and other professionals work through and preserve their thoughts. Individuals can then transcribe the recording to produce notes that are easier to scan through and follow. With the right tools, a transcript will also be searchable, which allows for a quicker, simpler way to find relevant information.
Because dictations often have only one person speaking into a microphone, the sound quality might be good enough for quality ASR to complete an accurate transcript. Since its accuracy doesn’t need to meet the strict standards related to formal legal proceedings, automated transcripts might be a good cost-saving option for this type of transcription.
Main Features: Less formal, often recorded
Best Solutions: ASR-only, ASR with a Human Layer
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Arbitration and mediation are forms of alternative dispute resolution that operate separately from the court system. Transcription requirements for these types of proceedings might not be the same as those within the court system. Still, these records need to be accurate.
While having a court reporter in the room might not be necessary, people often choose to have these proceedings recorded. However, these tend not to be the first-choice jobs of stenographers, and the parties may be less willing to pay the premium costs associated with them anyway. Digital court reporters and legal transcription providers offer solutions for these types of proceedings that are accurate and cost-effective.
Main Features: Formal, live
Best Solutions: Digital Court Reporters, ASR with a Human Layer
Digital Evidence
Attorneys and law enforcement professionals work with large amounts of digital evidence. Whether it’s 911 calls, body-worn camera footage, insurance calls or other recordings, these pieces of evidence need to be transcribed for investigators and lawyers to work effectively on cases. However, the recording quality isn’t always ideal. As a result, ASR can struggle to produce accurate results on its own.
The most cost-effective way to transcribe this information is often by using ASR in conjunction with experienced legal transcribers.
Main Features: Less formal, recorded
Best Solutions: ASR with a Human Layer
Legal Conferences and Events
Professional conferences and events need to be accessible, which means they must have captions and transcripts. Whether the event is in person or virtual, it will need live captions to accommodate audiences who are Deaf or hard of hearing.
Because of strict accessibility laws, captions and transcripts for events need to be extremely accurate. ASR might work in some situations, but having a human editor is the best way to ensure high-quality results for others.
Main Features: Less formal, live and recorded
Best Solutions: ASR, ASR with a Human Layer
Selecting the right legal transcription method is vital and will depend heavily on the use case. Verbit offers various legal transcription solutions that effectively support everything from depositions to conferences and more. Contact Verbit to learn more or to create a custom plan to meet your specific needs.
