Many times, the court system will supply what you need, but don’t assume they will. If you’re working with a court that’s unfamiliar to you, find out what support and services they have in place and what you’re expected to supply.

Here are a few types of legal support you might need for your next case, why each is important and the silver lining of having to secure them yourself:

1. Court recorder: This is one type of support courtrooms often supply for you. However, that’s only if it’s required for your specific case – if it’s not, it might be a good idea to secure your own. You’ll want a court recorder so you can go back and listen to testimony, make sure you have facts correct and perhaps prepare for your next step.

2. Court videographer: Videographers who specialize in courtroom cases are rarely required by courthouses. A picture is truly worth a thousand words, so combining the skills of a videographer with a voice recorder helps ensure you have all testimony captured. These videographers are also skilled at editing, thereby saving you from wading through hours of litigation looking for what you need. If you decide to hire one, you may also want to use him or her when prepping for your case.

3. Transcriptions: Having an official court transcript is sometimes preferable to a video. But you don’t want to have to wait for the court to send you a copy. You need to be able to get transcripts back quickly, and in the format you need. For example, maybe a few key people need the transcripts emailed to them ASAP, while others may want them uploaded into a secure cloud storage space for easy access. If you’re in a hurry, the stakes are high and you want to be sure, hire your own.

4. Video conferencing: The odds of everyone being able to physically gather in the same space when you need them to are slim. Don’t miss the testimony of that expert witness just because you’re in different time zones or your schedules don’t mesh. Video conferencing allows you to meet virtually at whatever time works for everybody – without the need to travel or commute.

5. Meeting space: Meeting space/conference rooms are critical when prepping for court proceedings. The space should be equipped with the latest A/V technology, including video or phone conferencing. It should be quiet, secure, private and have comfortable furnishings. A professional staff, including an A/V tech, should be available.

No matter what your role is in a case, from attorney to paralegal, having the right tools and support is paramount to success. It can help you optimize your time, efforts and money, so look into hiring your own professionals to support you with your important legal case.