Insights Articles

When I began my career in court reporting in 1982, stenographers were transitioning from pen-and-paper shorthand to mechanical machines. I learned machine shorthand on manual steno machines that imprinted each stroke onto a continuous tape—a far cry from today's digital-first environment.

From Steno Pads to Software

By 1988, I had invested over $20,000 in my first computerized shorthand machine and PC. One of my earliest uses of this tech was during the R. v. Ernst Zundel trial – a landmark moment that proved digital tools could match the speed and precision required in high-profile proceedings.

By the early 2000s, computer-aided transcription (CAT) had become the industry standard. Legal professionals benefited from faster turnarounds, greater accuracy, and improved workflow – all driven by reporters who embraced these innovations.

Legal Demands Keep Evolving—So Must We

As law firms moved toward virtual proceedings, court reporters had to innovate further. Realtime reporting – once available only via hardwired connections – now uses secure Wi-Fi to deliver instant transcripts across distances.

Legal teams now expect:

• Realtime access
• Rough drafts within hours
• Faster final transcripts
• Flexible, remote-friendly platforms

What’s Changing in 2025?

In today’s legal landscape, you’re already using AI for contract analysis, discovery, and research. Court reporting is evolving in parallel – with automated speech recognition (ASR) and AI-enhanced tools entering the scene.

We understand the hesitation. But here’s the truth:

The core need hasn’t changed.
Legal professionals still require transcripts that are accurate, secure, and professionally reviewed.

What ASR Is – and What It Isn't

There’s a lot of buzz around AI in court reporting, so let’s be clear:

• ASR is not artificial intelligence making judgments or storing your data.
• It’s a tool that captures spoken words and converts them into a raw text stream – nothing more.
• It doesn’t “learn” from your proceedings or interpret meaning.
• It cannot produce final transcripts – and never will – without expert human intervention.

Skilled court reporters do far more than transcribe – they interpret, clarify, and make sense of chaotic, fragmented, and often overlapping speech.
They ensure the final record is not just accurate, but comprehensible and legally sound.

ASR doesn’t replace this expertise – it supports it. Think of it as a digital assistant that helps reporters work faster and more efficiently, especially when demand outpaces availability.

The Ontario Shortage: A Quiet Crisis

If you’ve recently struggled to book a reporter or get timely transcripts, you’re not alone. Here’s the reality:

• Few realtime stenographers remain active in Ontario
• Voice writers are rare
• Most digital recording still requires time-consuming post-processing
• Training programs are closing – NAIT, the last program in Canada, being the latest

That means:

• Increased delays
• Higher costs
• Less access to realtime or remote proceedings
• Fewer qualified professionals to meet demand

How Array Canada Is Responding

At Array Canada, we’ve developed ArrayScribe to address this gap. Our platform combines innovation with professional oversight to support your practice.

For In-Person and Virtual Proceedings:

• Live ASR scripting with real-time audio verification
• All content secured with end-to-end encryption
• Transcripts reviewed and edited by professional court reporters
• Option to leverage traditional realtime stenography if available

Benefits to Your Practice:

• Instant access to testimony
• Improved scheduling flexibility
• Lower cost, especially for virtual proceedings
• Reliable output even with a limited reporter pool
• No compromise on security or accuracy

What Sets Us Apart

Unlike some platforms that rely on raw ASR or unverified automation, we keep human professionals at the heart of our workflow. That means:

• Skilled editors ensure transcripts meet legal standards
• Human oversight at every step
• No client data is shared, learned from, or stored by AI engines
• Our firm maintains control, compliance, and guardianship of the record

A Final Word

Every legal advancement – from fax to email to e-filing – faced initial resistance. But in each case, the shift improved service delivery and client satisfaction.

Court reporting is undergoing a similar transformation. With the right technology – and the right team behind it – you don’t have to choose between speed, accuracy, and professionalism.

Want to see how ArrayScribe fits into your legal workflow? Contact us to learn how we can support your practice with secure, reliable court reporting in Ontario and beyond.

Kim Neeson, Director of Court Reporting

With over four decades of experience, Kim leads Array’s Canadian Court Reporting division with a focus on innovation, access to justice, and client care. A pioneer in realtime court reporting and captioning, Kim blends deep industry expertise with modern technology to deliver high-quality, accessible legal services across Canada.