2 Important Skills Every Court Reporter Should Have

Being a court reporter involves being responsible for very important data within the courtroom. Whether you are thinking of becoming one yourself or you are looking for a candidate to work as a reporter in your court, there a few key skills that you will need to look for in order to get the most apt person for the job. Their basic stenography and listening skills are of very high importance, along with attention to detail, accuracy and professionalism being paramount.

A good level of understanding regarding legal terminology and court protocol is also essential for a court reporter as they will need to understand and comprehend all that is happening in a quick and easy fashion. Here we will look at the 3 key skills required by court reporters.

Stenography Skills

Unlike a normal computer keyboard, court reporters use a steno machine. This machine contains 22 buttons which correspond to syllables and sounds rather than letters and words. Used together, these keys combine to create an accurate print off of all the words said in the court room. After practise and using the skills required, a trained stenographer will be able to transcribe the text in a court room at a rate far faster than a normal typist on a computer keyboard.

After the court case has finished the stenographer's notes must then be transcribed into regular text so that is can be read easily. This has generally been done through the use of a dictation machine but now, with thanks to real time reporting, where the stenograph is linked up to a computer which translates it automatically, it can be completed much more quickly and easily.

Communication Skills

Excellent communication skills are required by court reporters as their entire job relies on them communicating the messages through text and other mediums. In order to accurately note all that is said in a court room, the reporter must be a very attentive listener and be quick to understand concepts and punctuate correctly. The court reporter holds the responsibility of conveying the words accurately and clearly to the files for future readers to understand properly.

Although court reporting may appear easy and simple, there is more to the job than meets the eye. There is a high level of responsibility and professionalism required for the job to be performed accurately and correctly and a court reporter must complete their tasks with dedication to clear and precise communication.