Source · Select Committees · Justice Committee
Recommendation 23
23
Rejected
Offer free transcripts of sentencing remarks to victims and inquest findings to bereaved families.
Recommendation
We recommend that the Code includes a right for victims whose cases are heard in the Crown Court to be offered a free transcript of the judge’s sentencing remarks, in a format that they can access, and that bereaved families should be offered a free transcript of the Coroner’s findings after an inquest. (Paragraph 83) Pre-legislative scrutiny of the draft Victims Bill 55 Clause 5, review of compliance with the Victims’ Code
Government Response Summary
The government rejects making free transcripts of judge's sentencing remarks a universal Code right, citing existing fees and appropriateness, and states bereaved families can already receive Coroner's findings free of charge.
Government Response
Rejected
HM Government
Rejected
32. We agree that victims including bereaved families should be able to access information and documents about their case, in a format that is accessible to them. Victims whose cases are tried in the Crown Court are already able to request a transcript of judge’s sentencing remarks for a fee; the average cost in 2022–23 will be £42.36. It is not appropriate for the victim to receive the transcript of judge’s sentencing remarks in every case, and there are some exceptions where the Court can take the decision as to whether to provide the transcript. It would therefore not be appropriate to make this a universal Code right for all victims, so we do not consider any changes to be appropriate. 33. We thank the Committee for the recommendation on Coroner’s findings following an inquest. There is already regulatory provision for the bereaved family, as interested persons, to receive the Record of Inquest by email free of charge. Clause 5, review of compliance with the Victims’ Code