Remote depositions are still relatively new. The use of the latest technology platforms was slow to take off, but the adoption became quicker starting in 2020. As many changes occurred when the pandemic began, the reliance on technology and remote work became more prominent. Many people realized that it is possible to do many things remotely, including depositions.
Since then, the demand for remote deposition services has risen exponentially, and it seems like this service will stay. Nearly all depositions during the height of the pandemic were done remotely. This is not surprising because remote depositions were the only option available during the pandemic for the law courts to continue doing their jobs.
Acceptance of Remote Depositions
Many people in the legal community believe that remote depositions will continue to grow in the coming years. However, since there are already so many changes, many of which were beneficial and innovative, the legal community has started to adapt to new ways to continue their business.
The use of remote deposition solutions increased as the courts, lawyers, and other legal professionals become more comfortable using online depositions.
Benefits of Remote Depositions
People who have to deal with lawsuits understand how time-consuming and expensive they can be. Therefore, the adaption of remote depositions is advantageous to the parties involved in the litigation, such as the plaintiff, the defendant, and their respective legal teams.
- Provide you with cost savings
A lawsuit with in-person depositions can involve travel expenses, mainly if there are out-of-state witnesses. Travel expenses can include local transportation, airfare, accommodation, and meeting rooms, aside from the time and administrative costs. However, litigants can reduce or eliminate travel expenses with remote depositions. - It is convenient
Aside from the sizeable cost-saving, remote depositions are more convenient for every person involved in the litigation. The attorneys can depose witnesses who reside out of town from their homes or office. There are cases where the legal team needs to travel to different states to get the depositions from out-of-state witnesses, which is inconvenient and costly. The deposition process can be done in one day, even for out-of-state witnesses. - It gives the law firm a competitive advantage
Law firms may traditionally do their work and maybe slow to adopt the technology. But the industry is very competitive that law firms and attorneys are now looking for creative ways to make their firms stand out and help increase their client base.
Using remote deposition technology gives them a competitive advantage over other legal firms that are still resistant to innovation. In addition, due to the variety of legal costs, many clients will benefit from the savings remote depositions can give them. Further, the adoption of the service increases their productivity and improves their efficiency. - Increases participants’ access to the legal process
A law firm cannot only represent clients without disabilities. With remote depositions, their clients and the other parties involved who have some form of disability can access information and improve their participation in the legal process. In addition, there are video platforms that are compatible with other platforms, such as screen readers and audio and easy-reading programs.
With the apparent benefits, remote depositions are likely to be a permanent addition to the legal process. However, several other things will change with its adoption, such as court reporters, whose numbers are still scarce.
