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The Victims’ Commissioner for England and Wales, Claire Waxman, has welcomed a new pilot scheme testing the use of artificial intelligence to produce court transcripts, describing the initiative as a significant step forward in improving access to justice for victims and their families.
The pilot, announced by HM Courts & Tribunals Service, will explore how AI technology can be used to transcribe court hearings more efficiently, with a view to increasing the availability of official records.
In a statement, the Commissioner said the development reflects long-standing calls from the Open Justice For All campaign for improved access to transcripts. She emphasised that access to court records plays a critical role in helping victims understand proceedings, process outcomes in their own time, and support their recovery, while also enhancing transparency and accountability across the justice system.
Currently, the cost of obtaining transcripts can be prohibitive, creating barriers for victims seeking an official account of hearings. The pilot is expected to inform future approaches, including the potential to reduce costs and streamline access.
Alongside the pilot, the Government confirmed that from spring 2027, victims in cases before the Crown Court will be entitled to request free transcripts of judges’ sentencing remarks, marking a further step toward improving accessibility.
The Commissioner also called for sentencing decisions and outcomes to be communicated more clearly to victims at the point of delivery, highlighting the importance of ensuring that justice processes are both transparent and meaningful for those directly affected.
