AI and Court Transcripts
Study to assess faster, lower-cost access to court records
A new government-backed study is exploring how artificial intelligence (AI) could be used to produce court transcripts more quickly and at lower cost.
Led by HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS), the research will assess whether AI can meet the required standards to accurately transcribe court hearings. The aim is to understand whether this approach could improve access to transcripts for victims and others who need them.
Currently, transcripts of Crown Court proceedings are produced by contracted providers, and costs can be significant. In some cases, individuals are required to pay hundreds - or more - to obtain a record of what was said in court. The study will explore whether AI can help reduce these costs and shorten the time to produce transcripts while maintaining appropriate levels of accuracy.
Access to court transcripts has been a concern within the justice system for some time, particularly regarding costs and availability. The government has also announced that, from Spring 2027, victims will be able to request free transcripts of judges’ sentencing remarks in Crown Court cases.
These developments sit within a broader programme of justice system reform, including the ongoing passage of the Victims and Courts Bill and wider efforts to modernise court processes.
Charlotte Schreurs, founder of Open Justice For All, said:
“Court transcripts are imperative for victims in the healing process - to understand what was said and to be able to move on, but it also brings accountability and transparency of the courts.”
Sarah Sackman, Minister for Courts and Legal Services, said:
“Victims show immense courage in coming to court, delivering their testimonies and looking their perpetrators in the eye. That’s why it is only right they process what happened in their case in their own time and on their own terms.
By deploying AI in the courtroom, we can boost transparency and access to justice, building a modernised system that victims can rely on.”
Looking ahead
This announcement marks a constructive step in exploring how access to court transcripts could be improved - particularly in addressing longstanding challenges around cost and availability. The study’s findings are expected to inform future decisions on how technology can be used to support access to court records, with questions about accuracy, access, and implementation central to the development of any approach.
At its core, this is about ensuring people can understand what happened in their case in a clear, accessible way.
We will continue to follow updates as further details become available.
