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Pilot scheme launched for survivors to access court transcripts for free

Survivors have campaigned for years for court transcripts from sexual offence cases to be made freely available to survivors. Today, the Scottish Government has announced details of a pilot scheme which will give survivors free access to their transcripts. This is a hugely significant step and is thanks to the tireless work of survivors who have been campaigning on this issue for years.

Until now, survivors of sexual violence had to pay very high fees, that were simply out of reach for many, to access court transcripts. These transcripts can help survivors have a full picture of what was said in court about their case, often including very personal details about their lives. Obtaining a transcript allows a survivor to see in black and white exactly what happened throughout the trial. Currently, many survivors are left without this after their case has concluded.

It is also very difficult for survivors to make a complaint about their treatment in court without access to the transcript. Accessing justice should not have a price tag.

The pilot will run for 12 months. Survivors whose cases were heard in the High Court and began on or after 31 December 2006 are eligible to apply.

We know this announcement will be disappointing for survivors whose cases were heard in the Sheriff Court and who will not be eligible to apply for transcripts under this scheme. We hope further consideration will be given to this by the Scottish Government.

Our thanks go to the survivors who have campaigned on this issue, and the Criminal Justice Committee of the Scottish Parliament who have consistently raised this issue over the past two years.

Applications for the scheme open on the 1^st March 2024.