California Approves Language Regarding Deposition Notices

New statutory language requiring the disclosure  of contractual relationships between insurance companies and court reporters was approved by California’s governor on September 28, 2015.   According to Ch. 346, (8) (A) of the California Code of Civil Procedure, deposition notices must contain “A statement disclosing the existence of a contract, if any is known to the noticing party, between the noticing party or a third party who is financing all or part of the action and either of the following for any service beyond the noticed deposition.”

It has been suggested by some plaintiff’s attorneys that court reporters are unfairly shifting the burden of transcript costs to plaintiffs.   An article by Peter Vieth, appearing in the October 15, 2015 issue of Virginia Lawyers Weekly, points out that the National Court Reporters Association views contracting as a questionable practice, one which “calls into question the integrity and impartiality of contract reporters.”