TEX.Litigation
Texas Supreme Court to hear whether an AI-made deposition transcript can be used without a certified court reporter
The Supreme Court of Texas will hear argument on October 6, 2026 in In re Patrick Hughey, No. 25-0463, on whether a trial court could quash depositions taken through the AI platform Skribe.ai and strike the transcript it produced without a certified shorthand reporter. Reddico Construction and the National Court Reporters Association defend the order under Government Code chapter 154; an AI law institute's brief backs the relator.
Filing (Supreme Court of Texas) →
Key points
- The trial court quashed three depositions noticed on Skribe.ai and barred a Skribe transcript; the Beaumont court of appeals denied mandamus in May 2025.Supreme Court of Texas
- The Supreme Court set the case for argument at 9 a.m. on October 6, 2026 and on September 18 let an amicus join the argument.Supreme Court of Texas
- Reddico argues Government Code chapter 154 lets only a certified shorthand reporter, a party, counsel or their employees prepare a written deposition transcript.Supreme Court of Texas
- The National Court Reporters Association says AI and speech-recognition transcripts are unreliable and that any change is for the Legislature.Supreme Court of Texas
- The Institute for Constitutional AI Law cites Rules 199.1(c) and 203.6(a) and asks the Court to vacate the order striking the relator's transcript.Supreme Court of Texas