§ Mrs. Curtis-ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department to whom court transcripts are provided free of charge; and what the cost of purchasing court transcripts is. [53439]
§ Mr. WillsI have been asked to reply.
A transcript of both civil and criminal trials will normally be produced where one of the parties to the action wishes to lodge an appeal. In civil cases, an unrepresented appellant in poor financial state can request that the cost of the transcript be borne at public expense. It is for the judge to decide whether to grant that request. In criminal cases, where the appellant has a representation order, the cost of the transcript will also be borne at public expense. The cost of the transcript depends on its length as transcribers charge per folio (72 words) and will therefore vary from case to case.