How to Cite Deposition and Trial Transcripts

This post explains how to cite deposition and trial transcripts using page and line numbers, how that differs from other document types, and how to handle testimony that spans or appears on multiple pages.

1. How to Refer to Transcript Testimony

Deposition and trial transcripts are cited by page number and line number. Paragraph symbols are not used.

Standard format:

[Witness Name] Tr. at [page]:[line]–[line]

Examples:

• Smith Tr. at 23:14–18
• Dep. Tr. at 45:2–46:6
• Trial Tr. at 312:5–14

The dash between line numbers is an en dash (–), which indicates a range.

2. Comparison Across Document Types

Different documents use different internal numbering systems. The citation format should match the document structure.

Deposition transcripts are verbatim, line-numbered records. They do not contain numbered paragraphs or sections.

3. When Testimony Spans Pages

If testimony begins on one page and continues onto the next, cite the starting page and line and the ending page and line.

Example:

Smith Tr. at 23:14–24:6

This indicates that the testimony starts on page 23, line 14, and ends on page 24, line 6.

4. When a Fact Appears on Multiple, Separate Pages

If a factual assertion is supported by testimony in more than one non-contiguous location, cite each location separately.

Example:

Smith Tr. at 23:14–18, 45:2–7.

Do not combine non-contiguous testimony into a single page span.

Avoid

• Smith Tr. at 23–45
• Smith Tr. at 23 et seq.
• Citations without line numbers

Summary

• Pleadings, affidavits, and contracts are cited by paragraph or section
• Deposition and trial transcripts are cited by page and line
• Spanning testimony is cited from start page:line to end page:line
• Separate locations are cited separately