Uniform Format Texas

[Debra Guthrie]

So this is my question. Does anybody have somewhere they could direct me for the absolute way you have to have your depo pages set up? I have been doing this 21 years and have been doing it the same way, and now I have a firm saying that it does not meet the uniform format.

[Rosalie DeLeonardis]

Can they provide you with the uniform format? or do they just want you to conform to their way? One firm I worked with would photocopy any changes our CR board implemented/changed and give it to us. I'm not sure if Texas has a CR board or not, but if you do you can get it through them.

[Debra Guthrie]

Yeah, that's the thing. The manual lists what should be on what pages, and gives "examples", and it is my opinion that this firm is saying that the "example" given is written in stone, no variances.....i.e. conform to their ways. I did email the Court Reporter's Certification Board, and their response was "For the information you seek you should refer to the rules, particularly the Uniform Format Manual." Well, to me, it isn't spelled out exactly. There is ambiguity.

The whole thing is brought about by this firm saying that my errata sheet is in the wrong place and that the cause number should be at the top of the style and the court at the side.

[Sara Green]

Debra,

Here is a link to the CRCB (Court Reporters Certification Board). http://www.crcb.state.tx.us/ufm.asp
That should take you to the Uniform Format!

Hope it helps.

[Debra Guthrie]

Sara,
Thanks for the link, but I have the Uniform Format Manual. I have read it numerous times. Here is my exact quandry. This firm and myself seem to have a disagreement on how our title pages are set up and certificate pages. Is it anybody else's take that the "examples" in the Uniform Format Manual are EXACTLY how you have to set up your title pages and certificate pages, or is there some give and take in there? It is the firm's belief that the "examples" are exactly how it should be done, no exceptions.

[Rosalie DeLeonardis]

I usually follow the same format as well with the different agencies I work with. I'm sure it's frustrating to be told you're doing something wrong as opposed to the firm saying we would like you to do it this way. The only thing I don't change is my certificate page. Good luck in finding your answer of whether it is actually correct or not.

[Jane McGill]

I understand those who say that they try to follow the same format as the agencies with which they work, and I also see that as a huge problem if you work for several different firms who each want it done "their" way. The problem you face with that is you have to try to remember who wants their case number top center versus who has it on the right margin and the court information top center versus who wants their errata sheet to say such-and-such and on and on and on...

The Uniform Format Code for Texas, in the body of the text, says, "11.2 Reporter's Record and Freelance Transcriptions. Each Reporter's Record and Freelance Transcription shall include a style / title page indicating and including the following. See Figures 1-4:" It then goes on to say what should be included, but does not SPECIFICALLY state that it must be done in a certain order. So then you go to the example and it is just that--an example (my belief). Nowhere on the sample pages does it say anything to the fact that the format MUST look exactly like that. I think the intent of the code was to cut out those reporters who filed incomplete information important to the filing of depositions or those new reporters who have nowhere to turn for their initial cover pages, etc., and at the same time governs the pitch and other items of larger importance.

Debra, I don't know the answer to your question, but I'm curious what other Texas reporters think about the ideas I have imparted in the above paragraph.

[Sara Green]

Debra,

Yes, I do see your quandry. AND I will tell you that the CRCB's "uniform format" is not as specific as it could be, and is like reading an encyclopedia. I actually posted to your response on the fly, and have reread yours and the other posts. I live in Texas and mostly the "format" is like title page (with caption number at the top) appearance page, index page, body of transcript, errata pages, then cert pages. Generally most firms in Texas are pretty liberal regarding the EXACT way to do it; however, it sounds like you have run across a firm that is a little anal, in my humble opinion.

Feel free to email me and I'll try to help in any way! Most of us "Texans" aren't such a pain in the ass!

and btw...Well said Jane. I think that is exactly the purpose of the format. Like I say....some firms are more anal than others!