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Jess Brown-Fuller calls on Government to introduce free court transcripts in response to petition from residents in Chichester
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Jess Brown-Fuller, MP for Chichester, has called on the Government to back Liberal Democrat Lords amendments calling for the provision of free court transcripts for victims. She was speaking in her role as Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Justice in response to a petition signed by over 200,000 people nationally, including 356 in Chichester, calling on the Government to make it a legal obligation for all courts and tribunals to provide transcripts free of charge.
Jess highlighted that many victims of crime attempt to access court transcripts to aid their recovery, often because they were unable to attend proceedings, only to be met with costs that can run into the thousands. The campaign to change this has been led in part by Sarah Olney, MP for Richmond Park, whose constituent, a victim of rape, was charged £7,500 for her transcript.
The MP for Chichester thanked the Government for its support in the Sentencing Bill, which included an amendment to provide free sentencing remarks for all victims. She then called on the Government to support a further amendment to the Victims and Courts Bill, which would give victims free access to transcripts relating to the route to verdict.
Afterwards, Jess said:
“This debate and petition demonstrate the strength of feeling in Chichester and across the country on this issue. Victims of serious crime want to move on with their lives and begin their recovery, but these efforts are being undermined by the often extortionate costs they face in accessing transcripts.
“This is wrong, and the Liberal Democrats have long campaigned for change and for the provision of all transcripts free of charge. With evolving technology, including the use of AI, there is no excuse as to why this would not be possible.
“I hope the Government will get behind the Liberal Democrat amendment to the Victims and Courts Bill that will do just that, and improve the experience of victims across the country.”
