'Shock' as victim's family quoted £22k for rape trial transcript

Julie wants to improve the experience of victims in court cases

A mother who was quoted £22,000 for a transcript of her daughter's rape trial says she is "shocked" at the cost.

Julie and her daughter Megan, from Gloucestershire, wanted access to the transcription after being advised against attending the whole trial.

The defendant was found not guilty of rape in 2023 and the family wanted to know what was said in court.

The government plans to pilot free access to sentencing remarks but only when the accused is found guilty.

The women in this article have been given pseudonyms to protect their anonymity.

Julie said: "She can't function now, she's in such a state. I decided to find out about how much it'd cost to get the court transcript and the quote was £22,000."

She had assumed a transcript would be free, and said she was "shocked and horrified" at the figure.

The proposed pilot, which will be discussed in the House of Lords on Wednesday, will only include cases where there is a guilty verdict and not where someone is found not guilty.

"Because transcripts are so expensive people are left … they can't move on, they can't heal because they want to know what happened in their case," added Julie.

Julie hopes the Government will make some changes to the planned trial

She is part of the Open Justice Campaign to improve the experience of victims in court cases.

Part of this includes access to a written or audio record of what happened in court for free, better information for when a victim can attend a trial after giving evidence and better support for victims.

Although courts are open to the public, victims are sometimes advised, or choose not to attend certain parts which they could find distressing.

Violet, from Berkshire, went through a five-week trial. The accused was cleared of rape.

She was told the transcripts would cost more than £30,000 for the whole trial.

Violet said she is "mystified" by the current system

"The entirety of my sexual violence trial hinged around me," she said.

"There are five weeks of material that debate me, critically engage with my body, my words, my experience and I cannot access them without being wealthy enough to afford court transcripts.

"At the very least, this would support my mental well-being and those who find themselves in this position."

BBC Newsnight previously found transcription costs at the six government-contracted firms varied from 80p per 72 words, to £1.71, for a 12-working-day transcription.

One company said pricing is based on the quantity of material to be transcribed, the level of urgency, and other factors.

Violet added: "I call for the automatic and free provision of the judges summing up remarks to any survivor of violent crime - the week the trial ends.

"These remarks could answer important and unanswered questions.

"I waited five years for justice and I leave the system mystified as to what happened as I still have no answers."

Claire Waxman launched the Open Justice Campaign

The Open Justice Campaign is calling on the government to make amendments to the proposed pilot, to include all court cases and not just ones that end in a guilty verdict.

It was launched by Claire Waxman, the victim's commissioner for London.

"Victims continue to be treated as bystanders in the justice system, and this must urgently change," said Ms Waxman.

"Victims need access to accurate and timely transcripts, at no cost to themselves, to support their understanding and recovery.

"This is an essential part of their justice journey, and government must bring forward these vital changes in the Victims and Prisoners Bill."

In response, the Ministry of Justice said: "It is vital victims get the support and information they need as they attempt to rebuild their lives and move on which is why we have launched the one year pilot scheme.

"Judges can already decide to provide a full or partial transcription to victims and we continue to look at all other options to reduce the costs of providing transcriptions."

Julie hopes the government will make changes to the planned trial.

"Not everybody will want to read what happened but an awful lot will like to know how the jury came to their decision and the only way they can do that is by reading the transcript," she said.