Miscellaneous

During any court session, a record needs to be made and this is done by court reporters. While most people are familiar with the image of a woman pecking away at a stenograph machine in the courtroom, very few realize just what a court reporter does or that there are actually several different types of court reporters.

The job of a court reporter sounds simple, recording all events and words spoken during the court hearing, arbitration, or deposition. However, this is a position that requires skill and speed, as well as accuracy since the reports will be used for legal purposes.

Understanding the different types of court reporters, as well as the benefits and downfalls of each style of reporting will help you choose the best type for your purposes.

There are three basic types of reporting, which we will look at here.

Steno Mask Reporting

April 22, 2009

Influential Canadian Judge Goes Online to Democratize Family Law

    VICTORIA —  April 22, 2009 —  Justice Brownstone, from the Ontario Court of Justice and author of Tug of War, has joined the online legal forum on www.advicescene.com to provide free information on family law.
    “By joining the discussion, Justice Brownstone has proven to be a leader in the expanding new world of democratized law; and demonstrates his commitment to families across the country having equal access to the law,” says Nancy Kinney, President of AdviceScene.com.
    AdviceScene.com democratizes the law by providing a free exchange of legal resources in a fully moderated, social networking community that links practising lawyers with the public.

Tug of War: A Judge’s Verdict on Separation, Custody Battles, and the Bitter Realities of Family Court
MR. JUSTICE HARVEY BROWNSTONE:

St. Lawrence Cement Inc. v. Barrette, 2008 SCC 64
Click here to link to the full judgment. 
(Property / Civil law)
SLC operated a cement plant in a municipality under a special statute.  In 1994, residents living near the plant filed a class action, complaining that the plant caused abnormal or excessive disturbances in the neighbourhood.  The Court found that a section of the Civil Code of Quebec providing for no-fault liability applied in this case, and restored the trial judge's award of damages.
Majority/Dissent: 6/0