To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what information HM Courts and Tribunals Service holds on failures of the Digital Audio Recording Transcription and Storage system at Exeter Crown Court in each year from 2018 to 2025, including (a) the number of recording failures and (b) the percentage of...

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what information HM Courts and Tribunals Service holds on failures of the Digital Audio Recording Transcription and Storage system at Exeter Crown Court in each year from 2018 to 2025, including (a) the number of recording failures and (b) the percentage of...

What steps he is taking to make all court transcripts free for victims.

What steps he is taking to make all court transcripts free for victims.

The Government are committed to greater transparency and access to justice in our courts. Transcripts are an important part of that, and I know that there has been a lot of cross-party campaigning on this issue. Victims of sexual offences and bereaved families of homicide can already request a free copy of sentencing remarks. From spring 2027, eligibility will be extended so that all victims can request them.

The Government are committed to greater transparency and access to justice in our courts. Transcripts are an important part of that, and I know that there has been a lot of cross-party campaigning on this issue. Victims of sexual offences and bereaved families of homicide can already request a free copy of sentencing remarks. From spring 2027, eligibility will be extended so that all victims can request them.

I am particularly keen that this matter is progressed at speed, because the fees for victims who want to get their transcripts are eye-watering. My constituent is a victim of domestic violence and her barrister needs transcripts of her hearing in the family court now to appeal against procedural irregularities and errors in the published judgment, but the transcripts will cost her thousands of pounds. Will the Minister address this gross inequality and waive court transcript fees as soon as she can for all victims, including for the family courts—with the requisite redactions to protect anonymity of the parties—to ensure robust justice, transparency and fairness for all?

I am particularly keen that this matter is progressed at speed, because the fees for victims who want to get their transcripts are eye-watering. My constituent is a victim of domestic violence and her barrister needs transcripts of her hearing in the family court now to appeal against procedural irregularities and errors in the published judgment, but the transcripts will cost her thousands of pounds. Will the Minister address this gross inequality and waive court transcript fees as soon as she can for all victims, including for the family courts—with the requisite redactions to protect anonymity of the parties—to ensure robust justice, transparency and fairness for all?

I am sorry to hear about the hon. Member’s constituent’s case. Technology in this area is a potential game changer. However, as with all technological adoption, particularly in the justice arena, we have got to ensure accuracy for the very reason she says. The transcript has to be accurate, and redactions have to be made where necessary to protect individual participants in the case and to ensure reporting restrictions. That all has to be done safely, but I can assure her that the Ministry of Justice is progressing at pace with the adoption of AI, which will be a game changer in the years to come.

I am sorry to hear about the hon. Member’s constituent’s case. Technology in this area is a potential game changer. However, as with all technological adoption, particularly in the justice arena, we have got to ensure accuracy for the very reason she says. The transcript has to be accurate, and redactions have to be made where necessary to protect individual participants in the case and to ensure reporting restrictions. That all has to be done safely, but I can assure her that the Ministry of Justice is progressing at pace with the adoption of AI, which will be a game changer in the years to come.

I listened carefully to what the Minister has just said. Court transcripts are important to a victim’s sense of justice served, but does she agree that access to this very important information should never be dependent on the victim’s ability to pay?

I listened carefully to what the Minister has just said. Court transcripts are important to a victim’s sense of justice served, but does she agree that access to this very important information should never be dependent on the victim’s ability to pay?

Equality before the law should mean just that, and as my hon. Friend says, it is an important principle to bear in mind when we talk about barriers to access to justice, whether we are talking about the cost of representation, which we try to address through legal aid, or about the cost of transcripts. In the current context, the targeted approach that we have taken—prioritising the victims of the most serious crimes, and now extending eligibility so that all victims can request court transcripts through the Sentencing Act 2026 from the spring of 2027—constitutes a big step forward. I hope that developments in technology will enable us to lower the costs and make that freely available to all in due course.

Equality before the law should mean just that, and as my hon. Friend says, it is an important principle to bear in mind when we talk about barriers to access to justice, whether we are talking about the cost of representation, which we try to address through legal aid, or about the cost of transcripts. In the current context, the targeted approach that we have taken—prioritising the victims of the most serious crimes, and now extending eligibility so that all victims can request court transcripts through the Sentencing Act 2026 from the spring of 2027—constitutes a big step forward. I hope that developments in technology will enable us to lower the costs and make that freely available to all in due course.

Charlotte Meijer will never have access to her transcript, because her case was heard in a magistrates court where no recording was made. The Government are seeking to address that, but Charlotte has continued to campaign for all victims of crime so that they can gain access to free transcripts, given that some are still being quoted costs of thousands of pounds. Her campaign, Open Justice for All, is calling on the Government to go further and faster to make the justice system fair, transparent and open.

This is a cross-party issue, and I know that many Back Benchers in the Minister’s party feel passionate about it. Will she assure the House that the job is not done, and recognise the desire for all court transcripts eventually to be made free and accessible for all victims?

Charlotte Meijer will never have access to her transcript, because her case was heard in a magistrates court where no recording was made. The Government are seeking to address that, but Charlotte has continued to campaign for all victims of crime so that they can gain access to free transcripts, given that some are still being quoted costs of thousands of pounds. Her campaign, Open Justice for All, is calling on the Government to go further and faster to make the justice system fair, transparent and open.

This is a cross-party issue, and I know that many Back Benchers in the Minister’s party feel passionate about it. Will she assure the House that the job is not done, and recognise the desire for all court transcripts eventually to be made free and accessible for all victims?

I know that the hon. Lady is a great advocate in this regard. I have had the pleasure of meeting Charlotte on a number of occasions, and I know how important her campaign is. The hon. Lady is right: owing to the Government’s commitment to audio recording and the capital investments that we are making to enable it to happen, change is coming soon and fast. We will seek to go as far as we are able while preserving the accuracy of those transcripts.

I know that the hon. Lady is a great advocate in this regard. I have had the pleasure of meeting Charlotte on a number of occasions, and I know how important her campaign is. The hon. Lady is right: owing to the Government’s commitment to audio recording and the capital investments that we are making to enable it to happen, change is coming soon and fast. We will seek to go as far as we are able while preserving the accuracy of those transcripts.

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether HM Courts & Tribunals Service holds a copy of the court transcript for the election court hearings, “In the matter of a local government election of the Bordesley Green Ward and Aston Ward of the Birmingham City Council held on 10...

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether HM Courts & Tribunals Service holds a copy of the court transcript for the election court hearings, “In the matter of a local government election of the Bordesley Green Ward and Aston Ward of the Birmingham City Council held on 10...

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of extending the eligibility for a free copy of a judge’s remarks made after a jury has delivered its verdict to complainants in sexual assault cases where the defendant was found not...

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of extending the eligibility for a free copy of a judge’s remarks made after a jury has delivered its verdict to complainants in sexual assault cases where the defendant was found not...

Clause 7 and Schedule 2 discussed with amendments. Clause 7 agreed to on division (9 to 5). Schedule 2, amendment 17 negatived on division (5 to 8). Schedule 2 agreed to. Clause 8, amendment 67 withdrawn. Clause 8 under consideration when the Committee adjourned.

Clause 7 and Schedule 2 discussed with amendments. Clause 7 agreed to on division (9 to 5). Schedule 2, amendment 17 negatived on division (5 to 8). Schedule 2 agreed to. Clause 8, amendment 67 withdrawn. Clause 8 under consideration when the Committee adjourned.

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what criteria HMCTS applies when determining whether to approve or refuse bulk or systematic access to court transcripts following notification by a transcription provider; and who within HMCTS is responsible for making such decisions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what criteria HMCTS applies when determining whether to approve or refuse bulk or systematic access to court transcripts following notification by a transcription provider; and who within HMCTS is responsible for making such decisions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many notifications transcription providers have made to HMCTS in each of the last five years under the bulk or systematic request provisions of the HMCTS transcription contracts; and what data HMCTS holds on the total number of transcript requests received by...

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many notifications transcription providers have made to HMCTS in each of the last five years under the bulk or systematic request provisions of the HMCTS transcription contracts; and what data HMCTS holds on the total number of transcript requests received by...

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, following notifications by transcription providers of bulk or systematic requests for court transcripts, which individuals or organisations have been (a) approved and (b) refused permission to continue receiving transcripts on that basis; and what reasons were given for any refusals.

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, following notifications by transcription providers of bulk or systematic requests for court transcripts, which individuals or organisations have been (a) approved and (b) refused permission to continue receiving transcripts on that basis; and what reasons were given for any refusals.

My Lords, I start by thanking the Minister, her ministerial colleagues in the justice department, officials and staff, who have been available for conversations both during the passage of the Bill, especially since Report, and the helpful discussions reflected in the Government’s Motions in front of us today.

My Motion B1...

My Lords, I start by thanking the Minister, her ministerial colleagues in the justice department, officials and staff, who have been available for conversations both during the passage of the Bill, especially since Report, and the helpful discussions reflected in the Government’s Motions in front of us today.

My Motion B1...

My Lords, I am very grateful to my noble friend Lord Marks for his comments on private prosecutions, and for the discussions we have had with the Minister, and separately with the noble and learned Lord, Lord Keen, over the course of the Bill.

I echo the two important points from...

My Lords, I am very grateful to my noble friend Lord Marks for his comments on private prosecutions, and for the discussions we have had with the Minister, and separately with the noble and learned Lord, Lord Keen, over the course of the Bill.

I echo the two important points from...

Lords consideration of Commons reasons. Lords amendments 1 and 2 not insisted on. Lords amendment 3 not insisted on on division (209 to 260). Lords amendment 4 not insisted on and Lords amendments 4B and 4C in lieu agreed to on division (270 to 200). Lords amendment 5 not insisted on and Lords amendments 5B to 5F in lieu agreed to. Lords amendment 6 not insisted on and Lords amendments 6B and 6C in lieu agreed to. Lords amendment 7 not insisted on. Bill returned to the Commons with amendments.

Lords consideration of Commons reasons. Lords amendments 1 and 2 not insisted on. Lords amendment 3 not insisted on on division (209 to 260). Lords amendment 4 not insisted on and Lords amendments 4B and 4C in lieu agreed to on division (270 to 200). Lords amendment 5 not insisted...

Moved by

Baroness Levitt

Moved by

Baroness Levitt