Court Reporting System - Is This Another Tale of Two Cities?

Two points of view on the FTR recording system being used in Wellington and Aukland. Whose brush carries the most paint?

~ the Beagle

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Press Release: New Zealand Government Digital transcription technology introducedThursday, 6 March 2008
Hon Rick BarkerMinister for Courts
6 March 2008

Digital transcription technology introduced to the High Court

Digital audio technology for recording and transcribing evidence has been introduced by the High Court in Wellington and Auckland. It is estimated that this technology will reduce court hearing time by between 20-30%, which will assist case throughput.

"For the Record or FTR, provides a high quality recording of the evidence which is then relayed to transcription staff located outside of the courtroom to be typed up as the trial proceeds. This is another demonstration of the Labour-led government's drive to modernise the court system to improve access to justice for all New Zealanders," Court's Minister, Rick Barker said. "The evidence given at a recent high profile murder trial at Wellington High Court was transcribed using the new technology and this was a key factor in reducing the length of the trial from an expected eight weeks to four weeks. The trial time was cut in half and I am certain that this was appreciated by all involved.

"This new technology makes the experience of giving evidence easier for witnesses and a better experience for everyone in the courtroom. It also means trials can proceed more quickly. FTR allows witnesses to speak at a normal, uninterrupted speed and the transcript is printed in the courtroom within 30 minutes of the evidence being given.

“New technology is enabling courts to work more efficiently for the benefit of all court users”, Mr Barker said.

Although digital evidence and recording technology has been used in the District Court for some years, until now, its use in the High Court has been limited to two courtrooms in Auckland. 17 High Court courtrooms and 20 additional District Court courtrooms will be progressively equipped with FTR over the next two years, as well as upgrading the FTR systems already being used in the District Court.

To further improve efficiency, transcription services are moving to being nationally managed. Mr Barker opened Transcription Service Centres in Wellington and Auckland late last year. From June, these Service Centres will begin being linked to local court based transcription staff across the country. Access to a larger, national team of transcription staff means courts will be better resourced to process increasing workloads.
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The Courier-MailBrisbane, AustraliaMark Oberhardt
February 27, 2008

THE Chief Justice, Paul de Jersey, has asked for a ``priority effort`` in rectifying complaints about the Supreme and District Court building's multi million dollar digital recording system.Judges and lawyers are upset about delays in getting transcripts from the system which records court proceedings in criminal and civil trials, sentence hearings, applications and ceremonies such as valedictories.

There have also been delays in court proceedings because the system has failed. Matters came to a head today when it was revealed someone had ``forgotten`` to record the recent valedictory for retiring Judge Garry Forno QC. Transcripts of such events play a role in recording the history of the courts and its officers.

Justice de Jersey said he was aware there had been no recording of Judge Forno's valedictory because of an oversight and he was also aware there were some complaints about the system. He said he had spoken to those responsible for the digital system and asked them to rectify the problems as `` a priority``.

Justice de Jersey said he was certain everything possible was being done to rectify the problems. He added that digital recording was the future of the courts and important so the system moved forward with the times. Digital recording is set to eventually replace all short hand takers who for more than a century have recorded court proceedings. However, the system, installed at a cost of several millions dollars, has had its share of teething problems.

There have been long delays in getting transcripts of trials and sentencing proceedings. Transcripts play a vital role in the day to day running of the court system. Judges and lawyers use the transcripts extensively in trials while sentence remarks are vital in preparing appeals.

Both the Children's Court President, Judge Julie Dick, and the Court of Appeal's President, Margaret McMurdo, made mention of problems in their annual reports to parliament. Several other judges have also made complaints about the system in open court while many lawyers are also critical.