Question
Victims of coercion, abuse and assault have been very much in the news recently, but there are many such victims whose stories will never reach the headlines, including a constituent who came to see me. Her case went to court and the defendant was found not guilty, as is the case in many such prosecutions. She would like to get the transcript from that prosecution to help her process what happened and to access support services, but she has been quoted many thousands of pounds to access that transcript. Will the Government look to make these transcripts cheaper—or, even better, free—so that people in such circumstances can get the help they need?
Answer
I thank my hon. Friend for raising this important point. It is vital that victims and survivors get closure from their cases. Victims of rape and other sexual offences, and bereaved families of homicide, can access their free sentencing remarks transcripts. Our ambition is that, from spring 2027, we will extend this free provision to all victims in Crown court cases, and we are exploring how AI can provide transcripts more quickly and cost-effectively while representing a true and accurate reflection of the case.17% vibes
Verdict: AMBER (38/100)
The reply makes a concrete, direct commitment: free sentencing remarks transcripts will be extended to all victims in Crown Court cases from spring 2027, and it mentions exploring AI to reduce transcript costs. However, it does not address victims whose cases ended in acquittal, the group the question specifically names. Sentencing remarks are not produced for acquittals, so the commitment may not reach those victims, and the person who asked would likely need to follow up on that point.
How we got there
| Question item | Coverage | Specificity | Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Will the Government look to make court transcripts cheaper, or free of charge, for people who have been victims of coercion, abuse or assault and whose cases ended in acquittal? | Partially Addressed | Direct | The reply gives a concrete commitment to extend free sentencing remarks transcripts to all victims in Crown court cases from spring 2027, and mentions exploring AI for cheaper transcripts. However, it never addresses victims whose cases ended in acquittal, and sentencing remarks do not exist for acquittals, so the mechanism described may not reach the group the question specifically names. |