CONSUMER PROTECTION – THE HARM OF THIRD-PARTY CONTRACTING

In Arizona, the law states: “Certified reporting is integrally related to the prompt, effective,

and impartial operation of the judicial system.” Most, if not all, states echo this sentiment about the importance of the court reporter to the judicial system. In the freelance world, the court reporter is generally regarded as the only neutral, unbiased person at the proceeding. The credibility of the record is established on this understood neutrality. Not just actual neutrality but the perception of neutrality is equally important to consumers of court reporting services when taking a broad look at the court reporting profession.

Given the public’s belief in and dependence on the court reporter’s integrity and impartiality, it is all the more egregious when the consumers of court reporting services are unwittingly subjected to these exclusive contractual arrangements between a party-in-interest and the court reporter or reporting firm. Often these litigants are unaware of the contract’s existence, the terms
involved, the benefits that one party may be receiving, and how their interests will be affected as a result. The litigant who is not a party to the contract is nonetheless bound by an agreement entered into by their opponent in the..