## Video Summary In a recent video, a barrister passionately critiques the current state of court and tribunal transcripts, arguing that they should be free to ensure fair access to justice. The barrister highlights the exorbitant costs associated with obtaining these transcripts, which can be prohibitively expensive for many individuals. For instance, a two-hour hearing resulted in a £500 charge for the transcript, with no guarantee of reimbursement even if the appeal is successful. This financial burden is compounded by the fact that many people often do not receive their costs back, leaving them at a disadvantage. The barrister shares a specific example of a small claims track hearing, where the initial estimate for the transcript was £960 plus VAT, only to later receive a final invoice of £416 plus VAT. This situation is exacerbated by the limited number of companies providing these services, creating a monopoly-like environment that restricts competition and keeps prices high. The barrister points out that even when the Ministry of Justice attempts to address these issues, the solutions often fall short, as evidenced by the outrageous quotes received by victims seeking transcripts for their cases. The video also underscores the broader implications of these costs on access to justice. Victims of crime, who may wish to appeal a verdict, are often faced with staggering fees that act as a barrier to pursuing their rights. The barrister argues that this is not true access to justice but rather a paywall that prevents individuals from seeking redress. The cumulative effect of legal fees, court costs, and now transcript fees creates a daunting financial landscape for those navigating the legal system. In response to these challenges, the barrister has initiated a government petition aimed at reforming the system and making transcripts more accessible. This is part of a larger mission to advocate for change within the justice system, which the barrister believes is currently failing to serve the public effectively. By raising awareness and rallying support, the barrister hopes to bring about meaningful reform that will alleviate the financial burdens faced by individuals seeking justice. The video concludes with a call to action for viewers to support the petition and join in the fight for a fairer legal system. ## Full Transcript Rant on Court Transcripts Okay, this video is going to be a bit of a rant, and probably the first of many where I complain about aspects of the system that simply do not work. They are not fit for purpose, they are too expensive, and they need to be changed. Frankly, I think it's unfair, which is a bit ironic considering it's supposed to be a justice system. ## The Cost of Transcripts My rant for this video is that court and tribunal transcripts should be free. They are prohibitively expensive for most people. I’ll give you some examples in this video. I've started a government petition, so you can go and sign that. It needs a few people to support it first before it can be approved. This year, my mission is to get things changed, make some noise, and, with your support, hopefully, we’ll get there. Let’s talk about this horrendous situation with transcripts. Currently, I am dealing with an appeal on behalf of another barrister. The hearing lasted under two hours, specifically two hours and eight minutes, yet they want £500 for the transcript, with no guarantee of getting that money back. There is a rule that allows the court to refund the cost if you are successful on appeal, but it is entirely at the court's discretion. In my experience, people often do not receive costs back. ## Example of Transcript Costs I posted on X just a few moments ago, stating that court transcripts should be free. Here’s an example of how difficult it is to obtain one for a small claims track hearing. The hearing, including the judgment, was two hours and eight minutes. Initially, I estimated it would take no more than five hours of court time, which is typical for fast-track cases. They quoted £960 plus VAT based on that estimate. Now, they have the recording from the court and have timed the hearing. They said it would cost £227 plus VAT. However, the final invoice came through at £416 plus VAT—almost double the initial quote. They are literally listening to a recording and writing out what it says. Even if they do it manually, they still want this much money for it. ## Limited Choices and Monopolies You cannot just go anywhere to get these transcripts; it is limited to a select few companies. One of these companies, Escribers, owns another, Molting Walsh. So, while there are technically multiple companies, the reality is that your choices are severely restricted. When I initially estimated the cost, I said, "Let’s say it was the whole day." They quoted £960 for the standard service, which takes 12 working days. If you want it within two to seven working days, it costs £1,148 plus VAT. This is for a small claim, which is significant when you consider the costs involved. ## Access to Justice The Ministry of Justice has stated that it is working on making court recordings more accessible following outrage from MPs over a £7,500 bill. This is because victims are being quoted ridiculous sums of money for transcripts. For example, a rape victim was charged £75,000 for a transcript of her assault trial, while others have been quoted £22,000 or even £50,000. How is this access to justice? If someone is a victim of a crime and wants to appeal because they believe the verdict was wrong, they need the transcript. Yet, they are being quoted thousands of pounds. This is not access to justice; it is a paywall to justice. ## The Burden of Costs This situation is compounded by the legal fees, advice, representation, court fees, and appeal fees that already make the process very expensive. I promise to make it my mission this year to try to put some of these things right. My petition is one of the first steps I am taking. I have my Black Belt Barrister Pro linked below, which will provide access to templates, guides, and highly trained AI assistants. This resource will differ from ChatGPT because it is trained on real cases and real law, with my guidance as a barrister. ## Conclusion The current system is unfair, particularly regarding the timing and costs associated with obtaining transcripts. If it takes me significant time and effort to navigate this system, what chance do others have? The costs for a small claim are ridiculous, and the court has complete discretion over costs, which often leads to unfair outcomes. In summary, the costs associated with transcripts create a significant barrier to justice. I will continue to highlight these issues and advocate for change. Thank you for watching, and thank you for subscribing. I look forward to seeing you in the next video.