A transcription network having linked computer terminals for a court reporter and for examining, defending, and associate attorneys is disclosed. Real-time transcription text is communicated from the reporter's terminal through the network. Secure message interchange between the examining attorneys and between defending attorneys is provided along independent communication links and using encryption. Off-site terminals for clients, experts, or other associate attorneys may be linked to the network. A synchronization scheme provides for automatic play-back of audio and video recordings corresponding to the transcribed text. One embodiment of the system provides for billing, monitoring, collection and authorization of transcription events.