Court Reporter Practice Exam

Who is usually responsible for the payment of the deposition when it’s held in an attorney’s office?

1. The court reporter

2. The client

3. The attorney

4. The judge

The correct answer is: The attorney

The attorney is usually responsible for the payment of the deposition when it occurs in their office. This is because attorneys typically manage the costs of the legal proceedings on behalf of their clients. Although the client ultimately bears the financial responsibility for their legal fees, including depositions, it is the attorney who directly coordinates and pays for the services rendered during a deposition, such as the court reporter's fees. In practice, attorneys often have arrangements with court reporters and may have depositions billed to them, later factoring those costs into the overall fees for their services. This workflow simplifies the process for clients, who do not have to manage individual payments for each deposition.