Campaigners ‘devastated’ as Conservative Lords block proposal to give victims access to free court transcripts.

24 Apr 2024

EMBARGO: Immediate Release

187 Tory Peers blocked the Liberal Democrat proposal, which if passed would have enabled all victims to request a transcript of sentencing remarks and judges summing up free of charge.
Rape survivors Juliana Terlizzi and Charlotte* have called the result ‘devastating’ blasting Conservative Peers’ actions as a ‘insult’ to victims.

Today, Conservative Peers have voted against an amendment to the Victims and Prisoners Bill tabled by LiberalDemocrat Peer, Baroness Brinton, which would have enabled all victims to request a transcript of sentencing remarks and judges summing up free of charge.

The amendment, a version of which was originally tabled by Sarah Olney MP in the House of Commons, came after a series of cases in which victims of rape and serious sexual assault were charged thousands to access the transcript of their abusers trial.

Shockingly, cases like this are widespread, with victims regularly being quoted up to £22,000 for transcripts of trials in which they were a part.

Ahead of the vote, 31 cross party MPs including Conservatives Sir Peter Bottomley and Julian Lewis, in addition to Labour’s Jess Phillips, Harriet Harman, Stella Creasy and John McDonnell had written to the Justice Secretary in support of the proposals in a letter coordinated by Olney.

The open letter – also signed by the Centre for Women’s Justice; Support after Murder and Manslaughter; Women’s Aid; and Refuge calls on Alex Chalk to accept the calls for change.

Yet despite the calls, 187 Conservative Peers voted against the amendment, with a total of 211 votes against compared with 82 in favour. The Labour party abstained on the amendment.

The vote has sparked an angry reaction from victims, including Juliana Terlizzi, who was drugged and raped by her then-boyfriend in 2020 and was quoted a fee of over £7,000 if she wanted access to the transcript of his trial. Juliana, whose case was raised last week at Prime Minister’s Questions by her MP, Olney, has branded Conservative Peer’s actions a ‘slap in the face’ for victims.

Another survivor, Charlotte, branded Conservative peers’ actions as a ‘disgrace’, saying she was ‘sick and tired of empty promises from a government which, when push comes to shove, continually refuses our calls for action on court transcript costs’.

Survivor and campaigner, Juliana Terlizzi said:

“The actions of Conservative Peers today are an insult to victims. Kind words do not go far enough for people like me who are sick and tired of empty promises from a government which, when push comes to shove, continually refuses our calls for action on court transcript costs.

“The House of Lords had the chance to do the right thing for victims and survivors and back this amendment to reduce transcript costs, and I am absolutely disgusted and disappointed that they have failed to do so.”

Survivor and campaigner, Charlotte said:

“This amendment was a chance to potentially change the lives of thousands of survivors and ensure the justice system was working for victims to be able to heal and move on, and I am devastated that Conservative Lords have blocked the proposals today.

"I urge the Justice Secretary to correct this grave error and accept our proposals to reduce transcript costs.”

Liberal Democrat Peer, Baroness Brinton said:

“I am completely appalled that victims are being forced to pay thousands simply to access a transcript of their own case. It is clear to see that our current justice system is failing victims who are already facing such traumatic circumstances, which re-victimises them all over again.

“That is why I am so proud to work alongside victims who have faced this injustice. The system should work to support people through the law, and yet this is far from the case. I am calling for the Justice Secretary to listen to our call and create real change for people.”

Liberal Democrat MP, Sarah Olney said:

“No victim or bereaved family should be forced to pay thousands to access a court transcript, and it is clear our current system is failing to address this glaring inequality.

“Justice should not have a price tag, and I will not give up this fight until the Justice Secretary hears our calls for change and takes action to reduce transcript costs."

ENDS

Notes to Editor:

Sarah Olney, Juliana Terlizzi, Charlotte* (first name only), David Challen, and Lily (anonymously), the child victim whose family were quoted over £6,500, are available for interview upon request.
Details of the amendment to the Victims’ and Prisoners’ Bill can be seen here and wording here:

Clause 2

BARONESS BRINTON

Clause 2, page 2, line 36, at end insert –

“(5A) Regulations under subsection (4) must make provision for a person to be able to obtain free of charge, on request, a transcript of the court’s summing up and sentencing remarks from a trial in which –

(a) the person was a victim of a crime; and

(b) where that crime is tried in a court where the hearing is recorded.”

Member’s Explanatory Statement – This amendment will provide all victims with a right to free transcripts of the sentencing remarks and the judge’s summing up where the trial takes place in a court where the hearing is recorded.

Outcome of the vote here.
Juliana Terlizzi’s case has previously received coverage on BBC Newsnight, LBC, The Daily Express and others, and was raised at PMQs by Olney here.
The case of the child, Lily (name change for anonymity reasons) whose family were charged over £6,500 for the transcript of the trial of her rapist first reported in The Times here.
Sarah Olney has coordinated a letter from MPs from all parties and charities including the CEOs of Refuge, Rape Crisis UK, Women’s Aid and SAMM, as well as Conservatives Sir Peter Bottomley and Julian Lewis, in addition to Labour MPs Jess Phillips and Stella Creasy to the Justice Secretary demanding the law change to cut the cost of court transcripts. A copy of the open letter including a full list of signatories can be found here.