Question and Answer

1.	Q. Is the signature on a Read & Sign required to be notarized? A. No. Handbook: E.10: The Board is unanimous that the law does not require that the signature of the witness be notarized on either the deposition jurat or errata sheet.

Q. The calling attorney concluded the deposition, but opposing counsel wanted to continue.

A. The reporter is to continue with the deposition.

Handbook: J.4: A reporter in this situation should continue to write regardless of which

attorney engaged the services of the court reporter. It is ot the reporter’s responsibility to

decide which attorney is correct if an argument arises about when the deposition is

concluded.

Q. Are attorneys permitted to reproduce transcripts?

A. Yes.

Handbook: E.7: The Board of Court Reporting is of the opinion that only the parties to a

lawsuit or the deponent have the reproduction rights to a deposition and that a court

reporter may not refuse to prepare a transcript and furnish a copy of it to either one of those

persons, so long as the person requesting the copy is willing to pay for it. Nor, we believe,

may a reporter prohibit either party to a lawsuit or the deponent from reproducing the copy of

the deposition received from the reporter.

Q. Can I withhold transcripts for payment of past due billing?

A. No.

Handbook: E.18: The Board of Court Reporting has held that it is a violation of the Code

of Professional Ethics to withhold a transcript for payment of outstanding bills in another

case. The proper venue for collecting past debts on court reporting invoices is through the

courts.

Q. I was asked to sign an affidavit recounting an attorney’s recollection of

events at which I was present. Can I do this?

A. No.

Handbook: E.25: The Board’s position is that it is improper to provide an affidavit because

it may create an appearance of impropriety or it may compromise the reporter’s role as a

disinterested party thus violating the COPE.

Q. Am I required to notify the opposing party that a transcript has been

ordered?

A. No.

Handbook: E.14: It is permissible but not obligatory for a court reporter to advise counsel

for the opposite party and/or counsel for the participating party in the litigation when a

transcript request is made.

Q. Am I required to swear in the videographer?

A. Yes.

Handbook: J.2.6.5: Plaintiff shall supply the person to operate the video equipment who

shall be sworn by the Court Reporter as follows: “I, _______, solemnly swear to accurately

and in a trustworthy manner, videotape the deposition and see that the original videotape

is not altered or edited in any fashion unless ordered by the Court or agreed to by counsel

and I shall file the same with the Clerk of the Superior Court of _______ County,

Georgia.”