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Victorian Government Reporting Service

Originally established as the Government Shorthand Writers Office in 1854, the Victorian Government Reporting Service (VGRS) has a proud history of providing high quality reporting and transcription services to Victoria's Courts and Tribunals.

VGRS' primary service is the recording and transcript of court proceedings but is also in the business of information management.

VGRS' primary clients include:

• Supreme Court of Victoria
• County Court of Victoria
• Magistrates' Court of Victoria (including the Coroner's Court and Children's Court)
• Other boards and tribunals of the Victorian Public Sector, by arrangement and as required.

Recording and transcription of court proceedings

Types of transcript available 

The documentary transcription of recorded proceedings is provided in electronic version or hard copy. 

While the end product is identical in all instances, VGRS allocates available resources on a daily basis according to the urgency attached to the transcript required.

Running transcript

Transcript of proceedings is provided to the client twice daily, within two hours of the court adjourning.

Realtime reporting

Court Reporters use computerised stenograph to translate shorthand outlines into transcript. An unedited transcript is available to users online in the courtroom within approximately 10 seconds after the word is spoken, with the final edited transcript provided twice daily.

Customised transcript

Transcript of proceedings is provided to the client on terms negotiated and agreed between the client and VGRS, subject to the daily availability and allocation of VGRS resources.

VGRS uses a range of transcription methods to record proceedings

Remote recording, video production and audio production

Proceedings are recorded digitally in the County and Supreme Courts, and directly relayed to an off-site location for the preparation of transcript. This process is supported by video recording, which removes the need for a recorder operator to also be in court.

Proceedings in the Magistrates', Coroner's and Children's Courts are recorded on an audio cassette by a registrar in the courtroom who also logs proceedings. All recorded tapes (audio or video) and logs are forwarded to VGRS for preparation of the written transcript by a team of audio typists.

Computer Assisted Transcript (CAT) reporters

Court Reporters use computerised stenograph machines to translate shorthand outlines into transcript.

Shorthand production

In the appeal division of the Supreme Court, a court reporter records proceedings and later produces transcript from the shorthand notes.

Legislation

Evidence Act 1958

The Act makes provision for the use of audio visual and auto links in court proceedings (video conferencing). Part VI of the Act sets out provisions in relation to the recording and transcription of evidence.