Application
This unit describes the skills required to produce verbatim reporting and transcription of complex court proceedings using high-speed shorthand or machine shorthand at speeds required by the jurisdiction. This unit includes preparing for complex hearings, setting up court arrangements and capturing complex proceedings.
This unit applies to those working within the court system operating under procedures set by the court.
The skills and knowledge described in this unit must be applied within the legislative, regulatory and policy environment in which they are carried out. Organisational policies and procedures must be consulted and adhered to, particularly those set by the court.
Those undertaking this unit would generally work independently with occasional supervisory responsibilities. They would perform complex tasks in a range of familiar and unfamiliar contexts.
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENTS | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Elements describe the essential outcomes | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions section. |
1. Prepare for complex hearings | 1.1 Examine court roster and cause list to identify jurisdiction, number of judiciary and status of case. 1.2 Locate existing glossaries, create dictionaries and glossaries of names and terms from court case file for new cases, load dictionaries. 1.3 Check resources and allow sufficient time to set up before proceedings begin. |
2. Set up court arrangements | 2.1 Set up court arrangements by placing and testing equipment, securing cables, remedying or reporting any problems arising. 2.2 Liaise with court, judicial staff and legal profession on proceedings and references. 2.3 Collect and sort files, obtain and examine relevant case information. 2.4 Include any special requirements for recording proceedings in a team, as opposed to individually. |
3. Capture complex proceedings | 3.1 Undertake commencement procedures. 3.2 Take shorthand or notes of proceedings manually or by machine according to individual or team delegated responsibilities. 3.3 Create accurate transcripts obtaining clarification of proceedings from participants where necessary. 3.4 Read back transcript as requested. 3.5 Follow procedures when working with or receiving materials from audio reporters. |
Evidence of Performance
Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the candidate must demonstrate evidence of performance of the following on at least one occasion.
editing and summarising transcriptions
managing a large personal workload
meeting deadlines
working effectively under pressure
representing forms and outlines in shorthand
producing high-quality transcriptions with 99% accuracy at speeds of up to 200 wpm depending on jurisdiction
applying legislation, regulations, policies and procedures relating to the recording of complex court proceedings
liaising effectively with a diverse range of people
reading back transcripts
operating a shorthand machine
Evidence of Knowledge
Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the depth of knowledge demonstrated must be appropriate to the job context of the candidate.
administrative requirements of court reporting
legal terminology
legislation, regulations, policies, procedures and guidelines relating to the recording of complex court proceedings
principles of judicial independence
proceedings in a full range of courts
related legislation, including Acts
federal, state and territory court systems
formats that interface with litigation support products
software programs that support electronic archiving and retrieval of transcript
English language, spelling, punctuation and grammar
Assessment Conditions
Assessment of this unit requires a workplace environment or one that closely resembles normal work practice and replicates the diverse conditions likely to be encountered when recording complex court proceedings.
Assessors must satisfy the NVR/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.
Foundation Skills
The foundation skills demands of this unit have been mapped for alignment with the Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF). The following tables outline the performance levels indicated for successful attainment of the unit.
Further information on ACSF and the foundation skills underpinning this unit can be found in the Foundation Skills Guide on the GSA website.
Competency Field
Courts