If you are a lawyer or paralegal working in the legal profession, you will undoubtedly be involved with deposition at some point.
A deposition is a part of the discovery process in which an individual (witness) gives testimony under oath. After that, this calls for deposition summaries.
For example, if there is a wrongful death suit, the deceased’s family may have to testify what they feel led to their loved one’s death.
After completing depositions, they need to be summarized to be referenced later.
If you are looking for ways to make your job easier as a legal professional, consider utilizing deposition summaries. Below are some of the benefits of using them:
Save Time
The deposition transcripts usually run for several pages. When you need to refer to the transcript again, you will have to search for a specific page or passage.
This takes up a lot of time. Deposition summaries allow you to quickly locate the relevant portion of your transcript when you need it.
The summary is organized so that it is most useful for legal professionals.
Help in Pre-Trial Preparation
Deposition summaries are handy in pre-trial preparation. When preparing cross-examinations and exhibits during the trial, you can use them as a reference.
Deposition summaries can also be used as a tool to anticipate future examination questions and prepare for them accordingly.
Provide initial synopsis of case to the client
Whether you represent the plaintiff or defendant, your client needs to understand what their case entails and what the plaintiff or defendant’s side has to say about it.
A deposition summary allows your client to read a concise report outlining who was deposed and what they had to say about their case.
This information is beneficial for your client because it lets them know their case’s direction.
Summarize Key Facts and Legal Issues
Deposition summaries help you identify critical facts and legal issues, and other facts that can help win the case.
The summaries also provide you with valuable information from various witnesses and parties involved in a lawsuit.
Bottom Line
Deposition summaries can help make your work more efficient and save you time. These summaries make it easier for the attorney to review your work with the client.
The more details you include in your summary, the less the attorney will question you during the deposition.
This allows the attorney and the client to focus their attention on the testimony of other witnesses and pertinent evidence.
You may use deposition summaries for depositions, interrogatories, objections, and requests for admission, motions, and briefs.