Reporting of the Record Task Force

Background of the Task Force

In April 2002, Chief Justice Ronald M. George, chair of the Judicial Council, appointed the membership of the Reporting of the Record Task Force. The council has charged the task force with assessing the process of reporting the record. The issues within the task force's charge directly relate to the council's strategic plan, Leading Justice Into the Future. Specifically, the task force's work will promote the council's goals of broadening access to the courts; ensuring that justice is administered in a timely and efficient manner; reducing the expense of litigation through simplification and standardization of court practices; and utilizing technology to enable the courts to collect, process, analyze and share information. This task force has a two-year term and concluded its business in August 2004.

The following is the official charge of the Reporting of the Record Task Force:

The Reporting of the Record Task Force is charged with evaluating and making recommendations to the Judicial Council regarding but not limited to the following issues relating to reporting of the record within California:

1. Standardization of stenographic court reporting systems;
2. Uniformity of transcript formats;
3. Expanded use of court reporters' evidence and presentation technology;
4. Ownership of transcripts and related products;
5. Uniformity of transcription and other court reporting service fees;
6. Delivery, maintenance, and storage of transcripts via electronic and paper media, including access to reporters' notes;
7. Training of court reporters;
8. Review of provisions relating to court reporting of the Appellate Rules of the California Rules of Court and related statutes; and
9. Shortage of qualified court reporters including such issues as recruitment, retention, and the consequent need to develop criteria for the use of alternative methods of reporting and maintaining the record.

Final Report of the Reporting of the Record Task Force

Upon review of the public comments on the Draft Report, the task force revised the report to provide further clarification of its recommendations. The Final Report of the Record Task Force will be presented to the Judicial Council on February 18, 2005. To access the Final Report, click on the link below.

Final Report in PDF format

Draft Report of the Reporting of the Record Task Force

In September 2004, the task force issued its Draft Report. The task force invited comments on the Draft Report from September 27 to November 5, 2004. The Judicial Council no longer receiving comments on this report. However, persons or organizations may access the Draft Report by clicking on the link below.

Draft Report in PDF format

To learn more about the Reporting of the Record Task Force, please view the Judicial Council’s press release announcing the task force’s formation.

<< back