vTestify is a platform for gathering testimony that does not rely on all parties being in the same room. With vTestify, attorneys conduct depositions, arbitrations, and more, while using the consumer-grade technology that they already own. Attorneys simply need to log on to the web-based platform, invite all pertinent parties to attend via our easy to use scheduler function, and then when the time comes, conduct the deposition.
vTestify can be used by any member of a litigation or reporting team. This includes business, civil, probate, personal injury, employment, medical malpractice, and family law as well as general counsel at the corporate level.
Using your computer and webcam, the vTestify platform records remote video testimony and streams the video deposition to the cloud, while allowing you to introduce pdf exhibits onto the record and order formal legal transcripts. Both audio and video are encrypted, with the video record available immediately upon completion of your deposition.
First, vTestify is increasing access to justice by eliminating the need to travel for depositions, eliminating reliance on court reporters, and providing immediately available video evidence. Second, each video deposition is saved to the cloud in real-time. This allows immediate access to the video. Moreover, vTestify uses a live speech to text transcription service, vTestify ScriptSync to provide a real-time rough deposition transcript. Third, because of the use of modern technology and a team of professional transcriptionists, vTestify can dramatically reduce the cost of video deposition by 50%. Fourth, the vTestify platform provides a secure and encrypted interface that’s easy to use.
Our web app uses your computer and webcam to capture video evidence. vTestify captures audio and video from all parties involved and from this we create:
A better piece of evidence with HD video testimony.
A better way to share and introduce exhibits in a remote setting.
A formal legal transcript formatted your jurisdiction, complete with the index and attached exhibits.
vTestify's exhibit management and introduction system allows an attorney, paralegal, or legal assistant to privately upload relevant documents and allows the attorney
to choose if and when these documents become exhibits. Exhibits are digitally endorsed with case details and a date/timestamp once they are introduced on the record.
The quality of the video and audio is excellent. Neither technicians nor viewers will be able to tell the difference between a standard video deposition recording and one recorded via the vTestify platform.
Yes. vTestify video and audio recordings can be exported into standard file types that can be imported into most trial presentation software, including Sanction® and TrialDirector®.
The notice requirements to use vTestify video deposition platform are the same as for regular video depositions using instant visual display. Your notice must simply indicate that the deposition will be videotaped or audiotaped, and that you reserve the right to present the recording at trial.
There are three options for the oath administration:
You may choose to have the witness sworn in by a notary before the deposition, and have a notarized Affidavit or Declaration of Oath that certifies the witness is under oath for your deposition.
You may stipulate to and have the witness sworn in by a notary at the beginning of your deposition.
You may stipulate to and utilize remote notary services to have both a signed Affidavit or Declaration of Oath and a video of the oath being administered.
By utilizing a notary for the oath you may eliminate the need for a court reporter in this function.
Transcriptionist
vTestify professionally transcribes recorded testimony in order to provide a formal legal transcript formatted your jurisdiction, complete with the index and attached exhibits.
Transcription Certification
Through stipulation you may use a notary or self certification to certify the transcript if necessary.
We use professionally sourced U.S. based transcriptionists to transcribe the deposition video.
We then use professional scopists to ensure the accuracy of your transcript before sending you the finalized pdf transcript, complete with the index and attached exhibits.
Yes. Attorneys frequently ask about the ability to admit the video deposition in court. To ensure that a vTestify video deposition is admissible in court, the attorney must follow the same rules of the their jurisdiction’s Rules of Civil Procedure as used for admitting regular video depositions. The most common practice, and the simplest way to address all concerns is to have both parties stipulate to the use of the vTestify platform.
In addition, judges often have rules that specifically govern the procedure in their courtroom. Knowing the court’s rules will help you in preparing for trial as the rules will likely provide the attorney with further guidance on how a particular judge prefers to handle depositions in his or her courtroom.
Before every deposition we recommend that all parties fully test their equipment. Please login to your vTestify account and click on the "Connection Test" button to automatically test your computer, webcam, microphone, and internet connection.
The vast majority of office firewalls allow our remote video technology to run and record unhindered. If you work behind a particularly robust corporate firewall feel free to call or email us.
vTestify has multiple redundancies in place to protect testimony from poor connections. These include:
Lower bandwidth requirements
vTestify uses the latest video technology which requires less bandwidth for HD video than traditional means.
Video backup
Video is first sent to our servers for storage immediately that way, in the event that a party does not see or hear what is said, it is still saved on the record.
Low bandwidth mode:
In the event that a connection cannot support video, vTestify switches to an audio-only mode for that party. This allows for testimony to continue uninterrupted and video is typically still recorded.
The vTestify platform is an order of magnitude more secure than many services provided by independent contractors.
Frequently, videographers and stenographers from third parties store confidential information with little regard for security and business process. Depositions may be emailed back and forth and attorneys have no way of knowing when the content was created, who has accessed their information, and if the content was shared. To the best of our knowledge, there are no known audit reports provided to law firms concerning the disposition of the content.