Civil and Criminal Transcripts
the Ministry of Justice
Accreditations & certifications
Civil Transcripts
Since June 2017, we have been appointed by the Ministry of Justice to transcribe civil and family court hearings across England and Wales, including High Court and county court proceedings.
Civil Proceedings and Judgments start from:
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£0.85 per folio, an estimated £102.00 per hour, plus VAT, for our standard 12 working day service.
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One folio is 72 transcribed words.
Send two copies of form EX107: one to us and one to the court that heard the case. If you are not sure which court that is, use the court and tribunal finder.
Once we receive the EX107 form and applicable audio files, we prepare your estimate. Upon receipt of written approval and prepayment, we begin transcribing.
Acolad UK does not have immediate access to the audio files of your hearing and relies on the courts to send over the audio in a timely manner. We will gladly follow up with the court for the audio on your behalf, if requested. Once the audio arrives, we prepare your estimate.
Acolad UK cannot be held responsible for a slow response from the court. It often helps to have the client chase the audio directly.
Audio files are the property of HMCTS. Acolad is unable to release audio files for any reason. To request audio file access, this should be addressed with HMCTS directly.
All civil judgments must be approved by the judge before we can release them. The time the judge takes to review is not counted within your delivery window. We aim to release the approved version on the day we receive it back from the court.
Criminal Transcripts
- Overnight (24 hours)*
- Within 48 hours*
- Within 3 working days*
- Within 7 working days*
- Within 12 working days*
*This does not include weekends or bank holidays. Turnaround times commence after receipt of the appropriate confirmation from the court and prepayment for new clients. Read our Terms & Conditions here.
Crown Courts We Cover
Central Criminal Court (Old Bailey)
Blackfriars
Croydon
Harrow
Inner London
Isleworth
Kingston upon Thames
Snaresbrook
Southwark
Wood Green
Woolwich
Leeds
Requesting a Transcript is Straightforward
Complete form EX107
Download the form and read the guidance note from GOV.UK. Tell us which part you need (full hearing, sentencing, summing up, a specific witness, and so on) as precisely as possible, with timings.
Send the form in
Send one copy of the EX107 to us and one copy to the court that heard the case. Find the court or tribunal.
Audio
Civil and Family: The court will send us the relevant audio files and sign off.
Crown Court: The court will send us the appropriate sign-off, and we will download the relevant audio files from the DARTS portal.
We send your quote
Once we have the audio, we send an itemised estimate, priced per folio (72 words), and request prepayment.
We transcribe
Turnaround starts once we have the court audio and either confirmation or prepayment.
We deliver
You receive a court-ready transcript within the agreed time.
If approval is required by the judge, the transcript will go to the judge for approval first. The judge's review time sits outside your requested turnaround.
Final invoice
We issue your invoice.
Ready to request a court transcript?
Send us your EX107 form for a fast, transparent estimate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a folio?
What is a folio?
A folio is a unit of 72 transcribed words. The estimate is based on the duration of the hearing (minutes and hours). However, the final invoice will be charged on a per-folio basis, reflecting the actual number of words transcribed. For this reason, your final invoice may vary from your original quotation.
How do I order a court transcript?
How do I order a court transcript?
Complete the EX107 form, select Acolad UK Ltd (formerly Ubiqus) as your transcription company, and send the form to the Court with a second copy to Acolad. Once the relevant files have been released by the court, your request will be processed.
How long does it take?
How long does it take?
Our standard service is 12 working days for both criminal and civil transcripts, with faster service levels available for both. Turnaround starts once we have the court audio and either confirmation or prepayment.
Why do judgments take longer?
Why do judgments take longer?
Civil judgments must be approved by the judge before release. The judge's review time sits outside your delivery window. We release the approved version on the day we receive it back.
Is my material kept secure?
Is my material kept secure?
Yes. Audio is logged on receipt, stored securely, and either returned or securely destroyed once your transcript is complete.
Can I request a copy of my audio file?
Can I request a copy of my audio file?
No. HMCTS acts as the controller for all court materials, including audio files and transcript copies. To request these materials, HMCTS should be contacted directly. Acolad is not allowed to disclose audio files for any reason, including data requests.
How do I request a refund?
How do I request a refund?
When a deposit is required to confirm an order, the amount paid in advance will be reflected on the final invoice. The invoice will itemise the amount left to be paid, or the amount to be refunded. To receive a refund, please email the Accounts team with confirmation of the bank account or payment method the funds should be returned to. The Accounts team's details can be found at the bottom of the invoice.
What if I have a query?
What if I have a query?
All queries should be directed to courttranscripts@acolad.com in the first instance. The Customer Service team will investigate and respond accordingly.
Please contact the Customer Service team first if you are not satisfied with the transcript or the service you've received. If you feel your complaint has not been dealt with properly, contact HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) following the instructions on this page of the GOV.UK website (see 'Complaints' section).