Any party shall have the right to have the testimony given at a jury trial in the Municipal Court taken stenographically or mechanically by a reporter; provided that nothing herein shall operate to prevent any such party from mechanically recording the proceedings himself or herself. The requesting party shall pay the charges of such reporter for taking and transcribing if testimony is recorded by a Municipal Court reporter.
(S.C. Code § 14-25-125) ('81 Code, § 35.10)