Court Reporter Job Description

What is the job description of a Court Reporter? What are the duties and responsibilities of a Court Reporter? What does a Court Reporter do?

Job description of a Court Reporter

Court/verbatim reporters produce word-for-word recordings of court proceedings using traditional shorthand techniques or shorthand (stenotype) machines. Court reporters work for firms contracted by the Ministry of Justice to provide reporting services to courts of appeal.

Some firms also offer freelance opportunities. Their services may also be required at political conferences, court martials, public inquiries, tribunals, disciplinary hearings, television programmes (for subtitles) and police interviews etc. He or she provides an accurate, word-for-word, complete record of these events so that interested parties like lawyers, judges, plaintiffs, defendants, and the jury, can reference them as needed.

It is becoming increasingly common for courts to make use of recording equipment in trials in addition to or instead of court reporters.

This Court Reporter job description example includes the list of most important Court Reporter duties and responsibilities as shown below. It can be modified to fit the specific Court Reporter profile you're trying to fill as a recruiter or job seeker.

Court Reporter Duties and Responsibilities

Court Reporter job description should contain a variety of functions and roles including:

  • Ensuring that records can be easily read and understood;
  • Using traditional shorthand, stenograph/palantype machines or ‘real-time’ computerised systems to make accurate records of the proceedings;
  • Reading back transcripts to lawyers while in court as required;
  • Preserving the original sense of what was said;
  • Editing text;
  • Producing final transcripts;
  • Using machine shorthand to type phrases and/or whole words in single keyboard strokes;
  • Attending court sessions;
  • Listening carefully to everything said;
  • Correcting grammatical mistakes;
  • Transcribing speech into written records after court sessions;

Court Reporter Requirements / Skills / Qualifications

Court Reporter job description should include these common skills and qualifications:

  • High school diploma or related qualification
  • A degree is desirable
  • A a professional license is desirable
  • Excellent listening Skills
  • Must be a good and fast writer; you will need to have extensive knowledge of grammar and an excellent vocabulary.
  • Good reading Comprehension
  • Ability to maintain focus for long stretches of time.
  • Attention to detail.

As a hiring manager, recruiting an ideal Court Reporter starts with crafting a good job description. Use this Court Reporter job description template to save yourself time and help you attract the most qualified candidates. Feel free to revise it to meet your specific needs.

Job seekers interviewing for the role of a Court Reporter may also reference it in preparation for the interview.