A Practical Approach to Court Reporting.

Course Aims

The aim of this workshop is to give news editors, producers, presenters, reporters and any journalist involved in court reporting or taking in copy/reports from the courts a clear understanding of the procedures involved in court reporting and insights into a 'day in the life' of a court reporter.

Course Brief

At the end of the course learners will :

  • Understand the structure of the courts system in Ireland
  • Understand the common law principles of the law of contempt of court and sub judice rule
  • Understand the statutory restrictions that apply to reporting on particular types of cases(e.g. sexual offences, family law cases, cases involving children) with which bona fide members of the media are expected to be familiar
  • Understand the structure and component elements of a standard criminal case, from arrest to trial, sentence to appeal
  • Understand leading case law on court reporting restrictions
  • Gain an insight into a ‘Day in the Life’ of a Court Reporter
  • Understand how to find their way around the courts
  • Know how to navigate the legal diary
  • Be presented with ‘day to day’ tips for those covering courts or taking court reports
  • Gain an understanding of how to identify stories, which trials to cover and how to get the information you need to generate you report/content

Course Content

Section 1

  • A day in the life of a court reporter
  • Finding your way around the courts
  • Outline of the Courts Structure
  • District Court
  • Circuit Court
  • High Court/Central Criminal Court
  • Court of Criminal Appeal
  • Special Criminal Court
  • Supreme Court
  • Navigating the legal diary
  • Practicalities of being a court reporter
  • Getting the information you need
  • How the sub-judice rule affects court reportage
  • Note taking
  • Script writing
  • Preparing and delivering live pieces from court
  • Interviewing survivors/victims of crimes
  • All your questions asked

Section 2

  • Outline of the Courts Structure
  • District Court
  • Circuit Court
  • High Court/Central Criminal Court
  • Court of Criminal Appeal
  • Special Criminal Court
  • Supreme Court

Section 3

  • Sources of Court Reporting Law
  • Common Law
  • Statute Law
  • Data Protection Act

Section 4

  • Constitutional Principles
  • Public Administration of Justice
  • Contempt of Court
  • Case Law
  • Guidelines for Court reporters

Who is this content for?

News editors, producers, presenters, reporters and any journalist involved in court reporting or taking in copy/reports from the courts

Training Method

Online via Zoom

To book your place on this course go to : https://bit.ly/3rAuC1C

Part 1 of the course will run from 11am to 1pm

Part 2 of the course will run from 2pm to 4.30pm