Who is responsible for covering the costs of transcribing testimony for an appeal?

In the context of legal proceedings, particularly in appeals, the responsibility for covering the costs of transcribing testimony generally falls on the respondent. This aligns with standard legal practices where the party seeking to appeal, or the one who has the duty to respond to the appeal, must bear the costs associated with preparing the record for the appeal, which includes the transcription of court testimony.

The need for accurate transcriptions is essential as they form a critical part of the appellate record, enabling the appellate court to review the case based on the original proceedings. By holding the respondent responsible for these costs, it ensures that the burden of proof for the appeal falls upon the party challenging the initial decision.

Other parties mentioned, such as the department, the legal representative, and the judge, typically do not bear this financial responsibility in the context of transcribing testimony for appeals. The department and legal representatives may have their own costs associated with their functions, but they are not directly responsible for the transcriptions. The judge's role is to oversee the proceedings and make rulings, not to manage the financial aspects of the appeal process.