Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, when he intends to make free court transcripts available for all victims of a crime.

Improving victims’ experience of the criminal justice system is a priority for the Government, and we are taking significant steps to improve access to court transcripts.

Currently, victims of rape and other serious sexual offences, as well as bereaved families of homicide victims, can request a transcript of the sentencing remarks in their Crown Court case free of charge. We have committed to going further with the ambition that, from Spring 2027, all victims whose cases are heard in the Crown Court will be able to request a transcript of sentencing remarks relevant to their case free of charge.

Magistrates' courts do not currently record proceedings meaning transcripts are rarely available, but we are working to change this as per our court reforms by rolling out audio recording in all magistrates courtrooms.