From 28 May 2024, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has launched a 12-month pilot scheme to provide victims of rape and serious sexual offences (RASSO) the opportunity to request a free copy of judges’ sentencing remarks in cases heard in Crown Court. This initiative extends the current provision that allows families of homicide victims to request transcripts of sentencing remarks in cases of murder, manslaughter, or offences causing death on the road.
How to Apply for a Transcript
When someone pleads guilty or is found guilty in a Crown Court. The judge will make sentencing remarks which include their decision on sentencing and reasons for imposing the sentence.
You can be eligible for a free transcript if you are involved in a case because you’re either:
- a family member of a victim of murder, manslaughter or an offence that caused death on the road.
- a victim of rape or sexual offences, or you are applying on their behalf.
Application Methods:
Applications received via the new form process will be triaged by Crime Live Service Team. Those made by family members of homicide victims will be sent to local courts to action. RASSO applications will be processed centrally for the duration of the 12-month pilot.
Judicial Decision and Response Time
The release of transcripts is subject to judicial discretion, meaning the court can refuse to provide part or all of a transcript if the details are confidential. Applicants will receive a response within twenty working days of applying.
Limitations and Historical Requests
The MoJ cannot process requests for free transcripts of judges’ sentencing remarks for cases prior to March 2012. This is due to the fact that Crown Court hearings were recorded on cassette tapes, and the retention period for these tapes may have expired. Individuals in this category are encouraged to contact the Crown Court where the hearing was held, as files may have been preserved locally.
Evaluation and Future Steps
HMCTS is gathering data on all requests, including those outside the pilot’s scope, to support MoJ Policy’s decision-making on future eligibility and other considerations. The MoJ Analysis Team will conduct a full evaluation of the pilot scheme to determine its effectiveness and potential for broader implementation
