Office of Transcription Services (OTS)

In 2005, the Office of Transcription Services (OTS) was established by Chief Justice Robert Mulligan of the Administrative Office of the Trial Court (AOTC). The purpose of this Office is to manage and oversee all court record making and transcript preparation, implement recommendations of the Study Committee on Trial Transcripts (Green Report), and improve delivery and quality of transcripts of judicial proceedings.                     In 2006, the Committee on Time Standards for Court Reporters was established by Chief Justice Margaret Marshall of the Supreme Judicial Court. Chaired by Executive Director Ronald Corbett, Ed.D., this Committee approved of and monitors the Time Standards for Court Reporters: one (1) year for civil transcripts, and six (6) months for criminal transcripts.             In 2008, the Office addressed two (2) essential undertakings: Promulgation of Administrative Directive #1-08, Uniform Transcript Format (UTF) including Sample Transcript, effective June 30, 2008.           The UTF is an 80-page document, which provides formatting instructions for the production of all transcripts in all courts of the Commonwealth. All court reporters and court transcribers are required to prepare transcripts in accordance with the UTF. Establishing the new Trial Court Approved Court Transcriber (ACT) List , effective July 1, 2008.           Pursuant to the approval process, all transcribers are now required to submit to the ordering clerk, register, or OTS the following:   * Paper Certified Original Transcript, which includes the Audio Assessment Form (AAF) and Word Index (WI);   * Paper Certified Copy Transcript, which includes the AAF and WI; and   * CD Copy of Certified Copy Transcript, which includes the AAF and WI.           For transcripts over 1,000 pages, all transcribers are now required to submit to the ordering clerk, register, or OTS the following:   * Compressed Paper Certified Original Transcript, which includes the AAF and WI;   * Compressed Paper Certified Copy Transcript, which includes the AAF and WI; and   * Compressed CD Copy of Certified Copy Transcript, which includes the AAF and WI.             In addition, all transcribers are now required to submit to OTS the following (for all transcripts ordered by clerks, registers, or OTS):   * PDF Copy of Certified Copy Transcript, which includes the AAF and WI via EMAIL at ots@jud.state.ma.us. If the AAF cannot be included in the e-mailed PDF due to technical difficulty, it must be faxed to 617-878-0762. Historical Background             In 2003, the Study Committee on Trial Transcripts was established by Chief Justice Margaret Marshall of the Supreme Judicial Court. The purpose of the Committee was to study the ways in which transcription timeliness and accuracy could be improved, as well as identify the utilization of new technology.           Chaired by Associate Justice Mark Green of the Appeals Court, the Committee found that transcripts from court reporters were often delayed, transcripts from court transcribers were poor quality, and methods of record making were archaic. The Green Committee made four (4) major recommendations, one (1) of which involved creating the Office of Transcription Services (OTS).           In 2004, the Working Group on Trial Transcripts was established by Chief Justice Robert Mulligan of the AOTC. The purpose of this Working Group is to implement recommendations and devise plans as outlined in the Green Report.           In implementing elements of the Green Report, the Working Group has addressed one (1) major project: disseminating the Uniform Transcript Format. Uniform Transcript Format Massachusetts Rule of Appellate Procedure, Rule 8 Uniform Schedule of Fees Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS), Indigent Court Costs Digital Audio Recordings OTS Forms Approved Court Transcriber (ACT) List Office Court Reporters (OCR) List OTS Transcript Calendar Instructions and FAQs   Support Services Main Page