Court Reporter Practice Exam

Who is primarily liable for the court reporter's charges for reporting and transcribing a deposition?

1. Only the attorney

2. Attorney and attorney's firm

3. Only the court

4. A third-party payer

The correct answer is: Attorney and attorney's firm

The primary liability for the court reporter's charges for reporting and transcribing a deposition rests with the attorney and the attorney's firm. This stems from the principle that attorneys are responsible for covering the costs associated with depositions, which include the services provided by court reporters. When an attorney schedules a deposition, they are entering into a financial agreement with the court reporter. Therefore, both the individual attorney and their law firm hold the obligation to ensure that the payment for these services is made. This liability is rooted in the understanding that the attorney is acting on behalf of their client, and as such, they manage all associated costs, including those for transcription services. In contrast, the other options do not correctly reflect this liability. While an attorney might seek reimbursement from their client later, this does not change the immediate responsibility to the court reporter. Furthermore, the court itself is not liable for these costs, nor are third-party payers typically responsible unless expressly agreed upon in the context of specific arrangements.