Govt backs Lib Dem campaign to give free court transcripts to victims

EMBARGO: Immediate release

The Government has put forward an amendment to the Sentencing Bill, backing Sarah Olney’s long running campaign to enable victims access to free court transcripts.

Sarah’s campaign came after a constituent brought her attention to the shocking scandal, who had been charged thousands of pounds to obtain transcripts of their trial. Olney’s campaign called for the Government to introduce a pilot scheme to waive court transcript fees for victims of crime.

Sarah has previously put forward an amendment to the Victims’ Bill in 2023 campaigning on this issue. In May last year, the Government made permanent the year long pilot scheme which gave victims of rape and sexual assault free access to the judge’s summing up remarks. Today, the Government has committed to extending this to victims of all crime, the same effect of Olney’s amendment in 2023.

Commenting, Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Olney said:

"I’ve been campaigning for years to make sure that victims of sexual assault no longer have to pay exorbitant fees to access their court transcripts. I’m so glad the Government have finally listened.

“I’m incredibly proud to have worked with such brave campaigners on this issue. It’s a huge victory for not only victims of sexual assault, but for all victims - ending a deeply unfair practice at the heart of the justice process.

The Government must make sure this desperately-needed change is put in place without delay to make sure victims can access the closure they deserve.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

The amendment to the sentencing bill can be found here.

Sarah Olney has previously put forward an amendment to the Victims’ Bill in 2023 as part of her campaign, more information can be found here.