The Depositions of Today: In-Person, Remote and Everything In-Between

Part 1 of a 3-part series on how the pandemic changed the litigation process.

Given the strategic value of depositions in litigation practice, remote depositions are an effective and increasingly common option to ensure that your case strategy is not stalled by various factors such as the availability of parties and reporters as well as other resources.

As the whole world was quarantining during the pandemic, remote depositions became the only viable solution if litigation was to proceed. What originally served as a Band-Aid, however, quickly became the norm. Now, even as restrictions have eased and in-person activities are taking place again, remote depositions are expected to remain the norm for both court reporters and attorneys.

Flexibility

The court reporting industry is experiencing a shortage of reporters today, and that’s not likely to correct itself anytime soon. The National Court Reporters Association predicted a shortfall of nearly 5,500 court reporting positions by 2018, and today, we’re seeing those assessments were accurate. The court reporter shortage is certain to increase in the coming years. In March 2021, the National Court Reporters Association issued statistics saying the average age of a court reporter is 55, and according to the Speech to Text Institute, 1,120 stenographers are leaving the field every year compared to only 200 entering.

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