Courts face shortage of stenographers

Press, 14 March 1987, Page 5

Courts face shortage of stenographers

PA Auckland The lack of courtroom stenographers in Auckland is bringing the jury trial system close to collapse, according to New Zealand’s top District Court judge. He warned that the courts could “grind to a

halt” unless action was taken urgently to prop up Auckland’s failing court recording services.

Chief District Court Judge Trapski, in the newsletter of the New Zealand Law Society, “Law Talk,” called delays in receiving typescripts irritating and demeaning to the dignity of the court.

He has cited cases where hearings have been held up because a shorthand record of an earlier hearing more than a month before had not been typed up.

The New Zealand Law Society has called on the Secretary for Justice, Mr David Oughton, to provide more support and staff to alleviate the shortage. All Auckland courts, and particularly the District Court at Otahuhu, where suffering from the shortage of suitably trained stenographers. The Judge believed poor pay and conditions for the stenographers were responsible for the situation.

“Young stenographers have been recruited and trained, but as soon as they attain some measure of usefulness and ability to cope with the heavy burdens of court reporting they are attracted away into other fields,” Judge Trapski said.

Often judges were blamed for the delays and they had become “more than a little tired” of the criticism, he said.

"I am of the view that somebody must make some very quick decisions, otherwise there will be scandal.”

In its letter to the secretary, the Law Society asks for Auckland to be treated as a special case, as salaries for stenographers are higher in Auckland than Public Service levels.

Almost two years ago, Auckland’s deputy courts manager, Mr Kevin Robinson, reported a districtwide shortage of stenographers and said taperecorders were rented as a stop-gap measure.