Artificial Intelligence is set to transform UK court transcripts system as a new government-backed study explores how AI can deliver faster, more affordable access to court records.

This initiative is aimed at improving transparency and strengthening access to justice, particularly for victims who rely on accurate transcripts to understand proceedings and find closure after often distressing court experiences.

Research, led by HM Courts & Tribunals Service, will assess how AI can be used to transcribe court hearings efficiently while maintaining the high levels of accuracy required in legal contexts.

Currently, transcripts of Crown Court proceedings are produced by contracted providers, often at significant cost. Victims frequently face charges ranging from hundreds to thousands of pounds to access detailed records of what was said in court, creating barriers to information that is critical for accountability and personal understanding.

According to Minister for Courts and Legal Services, Sarah Sackman, by deploying AI in the courtroom, we can boost transparency and access to justice, building a modernised system that victims can rely on.

“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.”
Sarah Sackman

The introduction of AI into court transcription processes is expected to significantly reduce both the time and cost associated with producing official records. Faster turnaround times would allow victims and other stakeholders to access transcripts more quickly, while lower costs could remove long-standing financial barriers that have limited access to justice.

At the centre of the study is the Ministry of Justice’s in-house AI system, Justice Transcribe, which will be evaluated for its ability to meet strict legal accuracy standards. Ensuring precision is essential, as court transcripts must accurately reflect spoken testimony, legal arguments, and judicial rulings. The findings of the study will determine whether AI can reliably meet these requirements while improving efficiency.

This initiative also forms part of a broader government effort to modernise the justice system through investment, reform, and digital innovation. By integrating advanced technologies into court operations, authorities aim to create a system that is more transparent, accessible, and responsive to the needs of victims.

Moreover, the government has announced that victims whose cases go through the Crown Court will be able to access free transcripts of judges’ sentencing remarks upon request from Spring 2027.

This announcement comes as both the Victims and Courts Bill and Courts and Tribunals Bill progress through parliament and the government delivers on its plan to restore the justice system.

Digital Innovation and the Future of Justice Access

The integration of artificial intelligence into judicial systems is rapidly reshaping how justice is delivered, particularly in addressing long-standing inefficiencies and access barriers. Across the world, courts are grappling with overwhelming caseloads, with some jurisdictions facing tens of millions of unresolved cases, many stretching back decades.

AI-powered tools, particularly large language models and automated systems, are increasingly being explored as solutions to these challenges. In countries such as Argentina, AI assistants like Prometea have significantly boosted productivity, enabling legal professionals to process substantially more cases each month.

Similarly, the introduction of automated transcription systems in Egypt has demonstrated how digital tools can enhance court efficiency while improving access to legal proceedings. These developments highlight the growing role of AI in streamlining administrative processes and supporting judicial functions.

According to Charlotte Schreurs, survivor and founder of the Open Justice For All campaign, 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.

“Having long called for transcripts to be made easily and freely accessible for victims through my Open Justice For All campaign – I welcome AI being deployed in court rooms to make this happen.“
Charlotte Schreurs

Additionally, findings show that as the advantages of adopting AI are becoming more apparent, the technology also brings with it new hazards and complications.adds complexity and additional dangers. AI-generated evidence, automated decision-support systems, and digitally aided legal arguments are becoming commonplace in courts, which raises significant questions about accuracy, accountability, and ethical usage.

In response to these emerging challenges, United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recently created thorough rules to promote the moral use of AI in courts and tribunals in response to these new issues. By establishing essential concepts like human oversight, openness, auditability, and information security, these rules guarantee that technology innovation stays in line with basic legal requirements and human rights safeguards.