Attorney at Law Magazine Publishes Veritext Article “The End of the SoCal Stip”

“For decades, attorneys in Southern California have utilized and recited a stipulation at the end of deposition proceedings in Superior Court matters colloquially referred to as the SoCal Stip. The stipulation relieves the court reporter of his or her duties under the California Code of Civil Procedure and allows the original transcript to be sent directly to the witness or witness’ attorney for reading and signature. The agreement usually goes on to say that opposing counsel or the witness will then notify the noticing attorney of any changes made to the transcript within the period allotted for reading and signature, usually 30 days pursuant to an errata sheet.

Attorneys who have attended recent depositions may be aware of a movement among court reporters to decline the Southern California stipulation. How did the SoCal Stip come into being, and why is it now being rejected by reporters?”