Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the proposed budget is for court reporting and transcribing services after the completion of the current tender process.

Her Majesty’s Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) has issued an Invitation to Tender for the future provision of court transcription services. The successful bidders will provide transcription services under a four year framework agreement, the value of which is estimated at between £20m and £28m over the term of the agreement.

We are not in a position to disclose the proposed budget in any greater detail than outlined above for court reporting and transcription services whilst the competition is still running as this may undermine the Authority’s commercial position.