said to take five hours of manual transcribing. The advantages of
C.A.T.
therefore are that it is labour saving and that transcripts can
be produced to order as a trial proceeds. There is a small demand for
the latter service. The answer might be a small C.A.T. force to be
used for long cases with a high probability of appeal or a requirement for frequent transcripts during its course. A "scopist" can transcribe
leaving the reporter in court. Training costs are relatively high and
special pay would be a further cost.
25.
My present feeling is that it would be unwise at this stage to rule any of the options in paragraph 21 out of future development.
There may well be a proper place for each of them. The strategic plan might therefore be as follows :-
26.
(1) equip the courts for sound as soon as possible (giving first priority to High Court civil business and then the District Court);
(2) improve the recruitment and training of
machine shorthand writers and of sound
recording transcribers and see what further
incentives to join and remain in the service
can be provided for both locals and
expatriates;
(3) continue the development of C.A.T. for use in
two or three courts with a view to extended
development if this
seems the right course
after further live testing.
Whilst the policy is being formed the acuteness of the immediate problem might be alleviated by the following :-
(1) A strengthening of the management structure.
The present force of 53 is in practice
managed by one Senior Court Reporter.
There are two others but one is fully
occupied with the C.A.T. project and the
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