Rule 201.Recording of Court Proceedings; Release of Transcripts; Restrictions on Use of Electronic Recording Devices, Photography, and Broadcasting

Group XIII: Court Records and Administrative Rules · Last amended 2020 · Last verified July 14, 2026

In one sentenceRule 201 requires every Superior Court proceeding to be recorded, sets out who can order a transcript and when, and restricts recording devices, photography, and broadcasting inside the courthouse.

Full Text of Rule 201

Text sizeJump to: (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g)

(a) ALL PROCEEDINGS RECORDED. All proceedings must be recorded by a court reporter or by a suitable recording device. Contents of official tapes that are made as a part of the record in a case will be treated in the same manner as official stenographic notes.

(b) ORDERING TRANSCRIPTS.

(1) In General. Any person who has made suitable arrangements to pay the appropriate fee may obtain a transcript of all or any part of any recorded proceedings in open court.

(2) Jury Trials.

(A) Party or Judge. In a case tried to a jury, any party to the proceedings who has made suitable arrangements to pay the fee specified, any judge of the District of Columbia Court of Appeals, or any judge of this court may obtain a transcript of any part of the recorded proceedings, whether or not held in open court.

(B) Non-Party. In a case tried to a jury, prior to rendition of a verdict or discharge of the jury, a person other than one described in Rule 201(b)(2)(A) must apply to the judge presiding over the trial for permission to obtain a transcript of any part of the recorded proceedings not held in open court. If the judge grants the application, the judge may impose terms and conditions for doing so. After rendition of a verdict or discharge of the jury, any person may obtain a transcript of any part of the recorded proceedings, whether or not held in open court.

(3) Proceedings in Open Court. As used in this rule, “proceedings in open court” means:

(A) all recorded judicial proceedings in a non-jury case; or

(B) in a case tried by a jury, all recorded judicial proceedings except pretrial hearings on the admissibility of evidence, discussions in chambers, bench conferences, or other recorded proceedings in which the jury does not participate.

(c) CERTIFICATION. Each transcript obtained in accordance with this rule must include a certification by the court reporter.

(d) TRANSCRIPT ON APPEAL.

(1) In General. Upon the completion of any transcript in a matter on appeal, the reporter or transcriber must notify the trial court and counsel that the transcript has been completed. The notice must inform counsel that any objection to the transcript must be filed with the trial court within 7 days after notice is given.

(2) Service and Notice of Objection. A party’s objection to the transcript must be served on the opposing party in accordance with Rule 5. The court on its own initiative may raise an objection to a transcript, but the court must give the parties notice and an opportunity to make appropriate representations before the objection is resolved.

(3) Expedited Resolution. The trial court must resolve an objection on an expedited basis.

(e) SECURITY OF ORIGINAL TRANSCRIPT. In any case in which a transcript is ordered by any person, the reporter or transcriber must deliver to the person a paper or electronic copy of any transcript prepared. The original transcript bearing the required certificate, must be filed by the reporter or transcriber with the clerk and may not be changed in any respect except pursuant to rule or court order.

(f) PRIVATE REPORTERS. Except as provided in Rule 201(g), only a court reporter who is a court employee, or who is under contract to the court to provide reporting services, is permitted to record proceedings held before a judge or magistrate judge.

(g) RESTRICTION ON THE USE OF ELECTRONIC RECORDING DEVICES, PHOTOGRAPHY, AND BROADCASTING. No electronic audio or video recording equipment, other than that in the custody and control of official court reporters or court personnel in the performance of their official duties, may be used to record proceedings held before a judge or magistrate judge. No photographs, broadcasts, or recording is permitted inside the courthouse in connection with any civil proceeding, whether or not the court is in session.

End

Comments

2020 Amendments:

This rule was amended consistent with the stylistic changes to the federal civil rules. Provisions from former Rule 203 were incorporated into this rule. Based on the amendment to section (a), former section (g), regarding electronic recording devices, was deleted as unnecessary.

Comment:

Section (b)(2) requires that during trial persons other than parties apply to the court for transcripts of those portions of jury trials not held in open court. In this connection, see A.B.A. Standards on Fair Trial-Free Press § 3.1 and § 3.5.

For administrative rules concerning transcripts see Court Reporter Rules, District of Columbia Courts.

Plain-English Summary

Rule 201(a) requires that every proceeding be captured by a court reporter or recording device, and treats an official recording exactly like stenographic notes for purposes of the record. From there, Rule 201(b) controls who can turn that record into a transcript. Anyone who arranges to pay the fee can order a transcript of proceedings held in open court. Jury trials add a wrinkle: a party or a judge can obtain a transcript of any part of the proceedings, whether or not held in open court, but someone who is neither must ask the presiding judge for permission before the verdict comes in or the jury is discharged — after that point, the recording opens up to anyone.

Every transcript needs the court reporter's certification, and Rule 201(d) lays out a tight process for appeals: once a transcript is finished, the reporter notifies the trial court and counsel, and any objection to it must be filed within 7 days, served the same way as any other paper under Rule 5. The court can raise its own concerns about a transcript too, but must give the parties notice and a chance to make representations first, and any objection gets resolved on an expedited basis. Once filed, the certified original stays with the clerk and cannot be changed except by rule or court order.

The rule also protects the integrity of the record by controlling who can make it. Only a court reporter who is a court employee or under contract to the court may record proceedings before a judge or magistrate judge, and Rule 201(g) bars any other electronic recording equipment, along with photography or broadcasting, anywhere inside the courthouse in connection with a civil proceeding — whether or not court is in session at the time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does every court proceeding get recorded?

Yes. Rule 201(a) requires all proceedings to be recorded by a court reporter or a suitable recording device, and official recordings are treated the same as stenographic notes.

Who can order a transcript of a hearing?

Anyone who arranges to pay the appropriate fee can obtain a transcript of proceedings held in open court; in jury trials, transcripts of parts not held in open court are more limited until after the verdict or the jury's discharge.

How do I object to errors in a transcript on appeal?

File the objection with the trial court within 7 days after the reporter notifies counsel that the transcript is complete, and serve it on the opposing party in accordance with Rule 5.

Can I bring a recording device or camera into the courthouse?

No. Rule 201(g) bars any electronic recording equipment other than that used by official court reporters or court personnel, and bars photographs, broadcasts, or recording inside the courthouse in connection with any civil proceeding.

Who is allowed to record proceedings held before a judge?

Only a court reporter who is a court employee, or who is under contract with the court to provide reporting services, subject to the limited exception in Rule 201(g).

Source & verification. Rule text and official Comments are reproduced verbatim from the District of Columbia Superior Court Rules of Civil Procedure, adopted by the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. Last verified July 14, 2026. · Official source

Also known as: how to order a court transcript dc superior courtobjecting to trial transcript dcrecording devices banned dc courthousejury trial transcript rules dccourt reporter certification dc civil rule