Careers in Justice > Official Stenographer
Profession at a Glance
During hearings, negotiations and examinations outside of court, official stenographers are called upon to “transcribe” or create an official written record of everything being said. Since they have to listen and type at the speed of lightening without missing a word, stenographers use shorthand (a kind of code for words) that allows them to record everything without losing time.
Stenographers are the only people authorized to produce official written records of what is said in court. They must be trustworthy and impartial, and they are even required to take an oath to promise to produce accurate records.
To learn more about an official stenographer’s work, click through the tabs above.
Stenographers are the only people authorized to produce official written records of what is said in court. They must be trustworthy and impartial, and they are even required to take an oath to promise to produce accurate records.
To learn more about an official stenographer’s work, click through the tabs above.
Job Description
A stenographer’s work involves 3 main activities: “live” transcription of hearings, transcription of audio recordings and revision and finalizing of transcripts.
Most stenographers work on their own, but sometimes they work as part of a group of stenographers in a shared office space. Stenographers get assignments from many different clients, especially lawyers. Their place of work changes depending on the client: they must go wherever an assignment takes them, whether it be the courthouse, a law firm or a company.
“Live” Transcription
When a stenographer makes note of what is being said during a hearing in real time, we call this “live” transcription. Thanks to modern technology, many courtrooms now have audio recording equipment, which means stenographers are not required to do this as often. This art form has not been totally lost though: stenographers still do live transcriptions for statements given outside of court (for evidence purposes), for negotiations, for mediations, and in smaller courts and tribunals that do not have audio recording systems.
As you can imagine, it’s rare that anyone speaking slows down just because a stenographer is in the room! To deal with this, stenographers doing “live” transcription use a special code for language that allows them to write as fast as possible. There are now computers with specialized keyboards and software that translate this code back into the language in which it was spoken.
As you can imagine, it’s rare that anyone speaking slows down just because a stenographer is in the room! To deal with this, stenographers doing “live” transcription use a special code for language that allows them to write as fast as possible. There are now computers with specialized keyboards and software that translate this code back into the language in which it was spoken.
Transcription of Audio Recordings
Even if stenographers are doing fewer “live” transcriptions in courtrooms, they are still responsible for transcribing audio recordings of hearings upon request. This written record is important when a judge or lawyer needs to go back to check, for example, whether a witness account of what happened stayed the same throughout the trial, or to fill in blanks when it’s hard for people to remember exactly what took place during a hearing months later.
Revision and Finalizing of Transcripts
Where do official stenographers work?
After the written transcription has been prepared, the stenographer goes back to check it for accuracy and to fix any mistakes. The final copy is called the “transcription of stenographic notes”, and it cannot have any errors since important decisions are made based on this record. Stenographers have to be diligent, unbiased and careful not to put words in to the mouths of people. Otherwise, there can be serious consequences for people involved in a case.
The final version of the transcripts might be given to a judge so she can refer to them when making decisions or writing her judgments. For a fee, it can also be given to the parties to a case or their lawyers.
The final version of the transcripts might be given to a judge so she can refer to them when making decisions or writing her judgments. For a fee, it can also be given to the parties to a case or their lawyers.
Most stenographers work on their own, but sometimes they work as part of a group of stenographers in a shared office space. Stenographers get assignments from many different clients, especially lawyers. Their place of work changes depending on the client: they must go wherever an assignment takes them, whether it be the courthouse, a law firm or a company.
Training
To become an official stenographer in Quebec you must first complete college-level studies in stenography. The École de sténographie judiciare du Québec offers a 2-year (or 6 session) ACS (an attestation of collegial studies) that includes a 45-hour internship. This is the only place in Quebec offering this training. For more information on this training, see the École de sténographie judicaire website.
Once you have completed stenography training, you must obtain a certificate from the “Comité sur la sténographie du Barreau du Québec”. The Comité requires that you pass an exam to get the certificate. The exam must be written in French. The Comité then adds your name to a list of official stenographers called the “Tableau des sténographes officiels”, or the official roll of stenographers, which allows you to then work as an official stenographer.
Stenography training is also offered in Ontario and Edmonton in English, but to practice in Quebec you will need to apply for special permission from the Comité sur la sténographie du Barreau du Québec, The Comité will look at your experience and make a decision on a case-by-case basis. Your request must be approved before you can take the stenographer exam.
For more information on official stenographers, consult the website of the Association professionnelle des sténographes officiels du Quebéc.
Useful High School Courses
The following courses could help you prepare for a future as a stenographer:
Speak to your guidance counsellor to see if there are other courses offered at your school that could prepare you in this career.
Once you have completed stenography training, you must obtain a certificate from the “Comité sur la sténographie du Barreau du Québec”. The Comité requires that you pass an exam to get the certificate. The exam must be written in French. The Comité then adds your name to a list of official stenographers called the “Tableau des sténographes officiels”, or the official roll of stenographers, which allows you to then work as an official stenographer.
Stenography training is also offered in Ontario and Edmonton in English, but to practice in Quebec you will need to apply for special permission from the Comité sur la sténographie du Barreau du Québec, The Comité will look at your experience and make a decision on a case-by-case basis. Your request must be approved before you can take the stenographer exam.
For more information on official stenographers, consult the website of the Association professionnelle des sténographes officiels du Quebéc.
Useful High School Courses
The following courses could help you prepare for a future as a stenographer:
- History and Citizenship Education
- English Language Arts
- French as a Second Language
Speak to your guidance counsellor to see if there are other courses offered at your school that could prepare you in this career.
Are you right for the job?
Thinking of a career as a stenographer? Check out this list of skills and learn how to develop them.
Attention to Detail
A stenographer has to pay the utmost attention to the precise details of what is being said. It’s her job to make sure things are recorded as they happened for future reference so there can’t be gaps or missing information in her work.You have what you need to succeed if:
- You pay attention to details and are good at tasks that require precision, like playing Jenga or Tetris.
- People don’t hesitate to ask you to do work for them because they know that you will do a good job.
- When you watch a movie, you notice things others do not.
To develop these skills, you can:
- Play memory games and do jigsaw puzzles.
- Always proofread and revise your assignments and exams before handing them in.
- Be the person who does the final read of group project presentations to make sure there are no mistakes.
Respect for the Rules
Since a stenographer uses codes for words, abiding by the rules is very important. A stenographer must know what the rules are and apply them so that what she is writing makes sense and can be understood.You have what you need to succeed if:
- You always arrive on time for appointments and classes.
- You respect the rules when you are playing a game and don’t cheat.
- You are disciplined when it’s time to study and you don’t waste time.
To develop these skills, you can:
- Register for an activity that requires you to be disciplined and follow certain rules, such as a sports team.
- Always read and understand the directions your teachers give you before starting your work.
- Find a recipe for your favourite food and follow the directions for making it.
Listening skills
Stenographers must have good concentration and listening skills because they are often called on to transcribe (write down) what is happening for many hours on end.You have what you need to succeed if:
- You attentively listen to your friend’s private stories (and don’t share them with others).
- You listen to, but never interrupt, conversations between friends.
- You can easily remember the details of a story someone has told you.
To develop these skills, you can:
- Learn how to become an active listener (use techniques that help you remember what people tell you).
- Become a member of a support group to show that you can handle confidential information.
- Make a habit of mentally repeating key words when studying for exams.
Written Communication
Stenographers must have excellent written English and/or French in order to produce accurate, high quality transcripts of what happened.You have what you need to succeed if:
- You enjoy preparing letters.
- You are able to spot typos and enjoy proofreading others people's work.
- You receive good marks in your French, English or literature classes.
To develop these skills, you can:
- Write articles for your school newspaper.
- Proofread and revise group work or your friend’s homework.
- Read books in English and French.
Did you know?
- The first legal career to open its doors to women in Quebec was the profession of official stenographer.
- The inventor of the shorthand and simplified writing system that stenographers use was Tiron, who lived between 104 and 4 B.C. The ampersand (&) comes from stenography.
- A “stenotype” is a typewriter-like machine that allows stenographers to type at approximately 280 words a minute.