NAEGELI Deposition and Trial Provides Tips to Prepare for Remote Proceedings

The COVID-19 pandemic has compelled several sectors and industries to resort to new methods in their daily operating procedures. The legal profession, being one of the most vital forces behind numerous fields, is no exception. For this reason, NAEGELI Deposition and Trial embraced the challenge of developing an innovative approach that would help better serve the legal field’s needs.

“When meeting in-person became problematic, we expanded our remote services so that cases could keep moving forward,” Marsha J. Naegeli, the Founder, and CEO of NAEGELI Deposition and Trial said. “Now, we provide our clients with FREE Remote Deposition Streaming, which includes a live technician to help you every step of the way.”

On a mission to provide clients with the most outstanding litigation support services, NAEGELI Deposition and Trial recommends the following to prepare deponents for remote depositions and ensure a flawless remote experience:

1. Ensure that all parties have the proper equipment

Having a device to join the virtual session is indispensable in a remote deposition or trial. All that is needed is a computer or tablet that has a webcam and functioning sound. If the deponent does not have a computer or other streaming device with a webcam, a good court reporting agency would be able to send a hot spot and equipment to keep the deposition moving forward.

2. Reliable internet connection is vital

Internet connection is critical to any remote assignment. Thus, ensuring that there is enough bandwidth and overall speed to properly connect to the session is essential. While hotspots may also be an option, they are not as reliable and stable as wired connections.

3. Have the deponent test their headset or audio quality.

A microphone is a crucial component in a remote deposition or trial. This allows the deponent to be heard well and help the reporter accurately record onto the record. Since built-in microphones are not sensitive enough to guarantee that the reporter picks up everything a deponent says, it is strongly encouraged that the deponent has a stand-alone microphone or headset with a microphone attached.

4. Run a test of all participants’ video connections and abilities.

As soon as the webcam is set up, ensure that the deponents’ video feed is adequate for a legal proceeding. Securing proper lighting, eliminating distractions in the venue, and looking for a neutral background are some of the ways that a deponent can prepare for the deposition or trial.

5. Dress appropriately and professionally.

Legal proceedings should be treated with propriety and formality. During a virtual deposition or trial, a deponent should dress and groom as if they are attending an in-person proceeding. They should avoid busy patterns and stick to solid, neutral colors. How a deponent is dressed can impact the jury’s perception of them.

6. Provide strict instructions to all parties ahead of time.

A remote deposition does not provide the same environment and behavioral monitoring as an in-person proceeding would; without proper preparations, this poses a challenge in virtual proceedings. To mitigate this area of concern, it is important to cover what the deponents should and should not be doing while on the record. Some of the prohibited actions include partaking in behaviors that are unbeknownst to all parties: communicating with outside parties, sharing secret notes, chatting online, and sending or responding to emails.

7. Verify the exhibits are both easy to read and access.

Using exhibits during a virtual proceeding is similar to in-person, but it does require some early preparation. To ensure all parties can view and display them with ease, the service provider will be equipped with exhibit-specific options for stamping, sharing, and viewing documents during the proceeding. In cases where this is not available, one can choose to physically send the documents ahead of time. In this way, the deponent can review the paper copies as they are introduced.

8. Confirm your tech support is prepared and ready.

Technical difficulties can arise during virtual sessions. Thus, lawyers and their deponents must always be prepared for any problem that may occur during the deposition or trial. Having a reliable team that would serve as tech support is a must. NAEGELI Deposition and Trial provides FREE live support the entire time to ensure that you are set up for success with the NAEGELI advantage.