The Practice of Court Reporting in Ontario
Court reporting has been an essential part of Ontario’s justice system for generations. From examinations for discovery and arbitrations to tribunals and public inquiries, court reporters create accurate, verbatim transcripts that legal professionals rely on throughout the litigation process.
Although much of their work takes place behind the scenes, court reporters play a critical role in preserving the integrity of the legal record. Their work requires technical expertise, professionalism, impartiality, and a commitment to accuracy.
A Profession with a Long History
Court reporting—also known as stenography—is one of the legal profession’s oldest specialized fields. As long as courts have existed, there has been a need for someone to create an accurate record of the proceedings.
Ontario’s court reporters are represented by several professional associations that support the profession and promote high standards of practice.
The Chartered Shorthand Reporters’ Association of Ontario (CSRAO) is Ontario’s oldest stenographic reporting association. Incorporated in 1891, it is believed to be one of the oldest court reporting associations in North America. You can learn more about the organization at https://www.csrao.ca/.
The Court Reporters’ Association of Ontario (CRAO) was established in 1967 as a not-for-profit organization dedicated to maintaining professional standards within the industry. More information about the CRAO is available at https://www.crao.ca/.
Court reporters in Ontario may also belong to the National Court Reporters Association (NCRA), a leading professional organization that provides education and internationally recognized certifications. Visit https://www.ncra.org/ for more information.
Court Reporting Is More Than Taking Down Testimony
While many people associate court reporting with typing quickly on a stenotype machine, the profession involves much more than recording spoken words.
Court reporters create a complete, impartial, and accurate record of legal proceedings. Their transcripts may be used during motions, mediations, appeals, and trials, making precision essential.
The CRAO emphasizes that court reporters are responsible for protecting the integrity of the record while remaining impartial and independent throughout every proceeding. Maintaining this professional distance helps ensure that every transcript accurately reflects what occurred without influence from any party involved.
Where Court Reporters Work
In Ontario, court reporters support a wide variety of legal and corporate proceedings, including:
- Examinations for discovery
- Arbitrations
- Mediations
- Administrative tribunals
- Public inquiries
- Board and shareholder meetings
- Professional disciplinary hearings
Whether proceedings take place in person, remotely, or in a hybrid format, court reporters help create a dependable record that participants can rely on long after the proceeding has concluded.
Professional Certifications
Court reporting requires specialized training, and many reporters pursue professional certifications that demonstrate their knowledge and technical ability.
The Certified Court Reporter (CCR) designation, administered by the CRAO, is awarded to reporters who successfully complete the association’s testing and certification process.
Many Ontario court reporters also earn certifications through the National Court Reporters Association. One of the profession’s most respected credentials is the Certified Realtime Reporter (CRR) designation. To obtain this certification, candidates must accurately transcribe a two-voice question-and-answer examination at 200 words per minute while maintaining at least 96% accuracy.
The CSRAO also offers certification based on the NCRA’s Registered Professional Reporter (RPR) knowledge and skills examination, along with an additional Canadian knowledge assessment that reflects the unique aspects of practicing in Canada.
These certifications demonstrate a court reporter’s commitment to professional excellence and ongoing development.
Accuracy Is the Foundation of Every Transcript
Technology has changed how legal proceedings are conducted, but the need for an accurate record has remained constant.
Professional court reporters use specialized stenographic equipment capable of capturing rapid speech. Their shorthand is translated using specialized software before each transcript is carefully reviewed for formatting, terminology, speaker identification, and accuracy.
When participants speak over one another or use unfamiliar terminology, court reporters may ask for clarification to ensure the official record remains complete. These brief interruptions help protect the integrity of the transcript and reduce the risk of errors.
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