HMCTS should explore whether greater use of technology, such as AI-powered transcription, could be piloted to see whether it can be used to reduce the cost of producing court transcripts. HMCTS should also consider whether the sentencing remarks in the Magistrates’ courts could be routinely recorded and transcribed on request. HMCTS should also review its existing contracts for transcription services to ensure that transcripts are more accessible to the media and the public.

HMCTS should explore whether greater use of technology, such as AI-powered transcription, could be piloted to see whether it can be used to reduce the cost of producing court transcripts. HMCTS should also consider whether the sentencing remarks in the Magistrates’ courts could be routinely recorded and transcribed on request. HMCTS should also review its existing contracts for transcription services to ensure that transcripts are more accessible to the media and the public. Type: conclusion | Number: 25 | Paragraph: 87 | Response status: not_accepted Government response: We recognise that transcripts of court proceedings are not routinely accessible and there are a number of reasons for this. Not all court proceedings are recorded, therefore transcripts are simply not available in all courts (e.g. magistrates’ courts). In courts where it is possible to record and su