Why might legal documents require a transcript?

Having an official record of proceedings is crucial in legal contexts, and this is why transcripts are required. Legal documents, especially court proceedings, involve complex interactions between parties, including statements made by witnesses, lawyers, and judges. A transcript serves as a verbatim record of these interactions, ensuring that all spoken words are documented accurately. This is essential for several reasons, such as providing a reliable reference for appeals, confirming the details of a trial for future cases, and maintaining transparency within the legal system.

While documenting historical legal precedents and educating the public can be important, they do not directly pertain to the immediate needs of legal proceedings. Summarizing lawyer arguments does not capture the full context or detail that a verbatim transcript provides, which is necessary for an accurate and authoritative legal record.