Court Transcription for Civil Litigation
Clear, reviewable transcripts for authorised civil-case interviews, witness discussions, legal meetings and other permitted recordings. Official transcripts of court-held audio follow the relevant court's own process.
Tell us the purpose, recording type, length and permissions. Please don't send restricted court audio through a general enquiry.
Speaker labels · Time markers · File references
Official court route kept separate
Private civil-case audio or an official court transcript?
Different sources of recordings need different permissions and processes. Establish which kind you need before sending files.
Private case recordings
Authorised client interviews, witness discussions and meetings recorded outside the court's official system can be assessed for a transcript prepared to your agreed brief.
Civil case recording typesOfficial court transcripts
For a transcript of a recorded civil hearing, judgment, witness evidence or submissions in England and Wales, check HMCTS form EX107, the court's instructions and any approval requirements.
HMCTS form EX107Transcript detail and format
Specify the original file, purpose, speaker count, verbatim level, timestamps, redaction requirements and intended recipients before requesting a quotation.
What the brief should includeRecordings used in civil disputes
Case teams may need a written record of authorised audio during preparation, disclosure review or instructions. The right transcript depends on the original recording, permissions and the legal representative's use case.
Client interviews
Solicitor-client conversations or instructions that may require a readable, attributable record, subject to permission and privilege.
Witness discussions
Lawfully recorded accounts and interviews where question-and-answer detail and unclear words should be handled transparently.
Legal case meetings
Solicitor and counsel conferences, technical discussions and case preparation sessions recorded with appropriate authority. For private dispute-resolution recordings, see our arbitration and mediation transcription guidance; separate recording permissions may apply.
Commercial disputes
Contract, property or other civil disputes with permitted calls, meetings or case audio requiring consistent file references.
Digital audio and video
Authorised calls, voice notes or video recordings, with original filenames, dates, participant roles and known audio limitations.
Selected case extracts
Specified passages with timecodes, speaker labels and exhibit identifiers to help a legal team cross-check the source material.
Not sure which route applies? Describe your recording
HMCTS rules for civil court transcripts
In England and Wales, requests for transcripts of qualifying recorded court and tribunal proceedings follow HMCTS procedures, including form EX107 where appropriate. The applicable route depends on the court, hearing type, portion requested, access restrictions and any needed judicial permission.
A private transcription supplier should not be treated as automatically authorised to issue an official transcript of a court-held recording. If a hearing was private or subject to reporting restrictions, approval and disclosure rules matter.
For the current form, instructions and official service information, see GOV.UK's EX107 guidance. For Scotland and Northern Ireland, use the relevant jurisdiction's court procedures.
Before applying for a court transcript
- Confirm the court, date, case number and the part of the proceeding required.
- Check whether the recording exists and can be released.
- Review private hearing, confidentiality, reporting and judicial permission requirements.
- Use the official form, recipient and authorised transcription arrangements.
- Check current charges and permitted delivery options through HMCTS.
What a civil litigation transcription brief needs
A clear specification helps ensure the transcript can be checked against the original recording and used appropriately by the instructing legal team.
Case and source
Recording date, file format, duration, case or exhibit identifier and authority to share the original file.
Transcript fidelity
Strict or intelligent verbatim, treatment of repetitions, incomplete speech and audible interjections.
Speakers and timecodes
Names or roles, speaker labels, time marker frequency and clear notation for inaudible or overlapping speech.
Language and output
Spoken language, separate translation requirements and desired Word, PDF or case-specific template.
Restrictions
Privilege, court directions, consent, permitted recipients, redaction and approved transfer/retention instructions.
Deadline and quote
Number of recordings, total length, clarity, priority order and necessary completion date for an itemised enquiry.
Three steps to discuss private civil-case transcription
Once the authority to share a recording is established, we can assess the scope and provide the relevant next steps.
Describe the case recording
Tell us whether it is a client interview, meeting, witness discussion or other permitted source. Include length, speakers and audio quality.
Specify transcript requirements
Confirm whether verbatim detail, speaker identification, timestamps or legal-team formatting are required, and any confidentiality restrictions.
Agree scope and instructions
Review the quotation, permissions, suitable file-transfer route, delivery format and deadline before an authorised instruction.
UK civil litigation transcription FAQs
Common questions on court-held recordings, private case audio and preparing your transcription brief.
Can I use this page to order an official civil court transcript?
For a court's own hearing recording, use its official transcript application process. For qualifying England and Wales recordings, consult HMCTS form EX107 and related guidance. Privately prepared transcripts cannot automatically replace an official court transcript.
Can a solicitor submit a recorded client or witness interview?
Authorised recordings may be assessed for private transcription. The instructing person must confirm recording authority, consent, privilege and restrictions before sharing case material.
What is the difference between verbatim and intelligent verbatim?
Strict verbatim can preserve repetitions, false starts and audible interjections; intelligent verbatim may remove routine fillers by agreement. The legal team should confirm which fidelity level is appropriate.
How are timestamps, speakers and exhibits handled?
Specify speaker names or roles, timestamp intervals, file/exhibit IDs and how unclear speech should be marked. A transcript should not invent words that cannot be heard.
Can a privately produced transcript be submitted as civil evidence?
Use and admissibility depend on the specific court, procedural rules and relevant directions. A solicitor should assess provenance, disclosure and format requirements. A private transcript is not automatically an official record.
What if a recording has poor sound or overlapping voices?
Describe known audio issues and, where authorised, provide the original source rather than a re-recorded excerpt. Uncertain content should be marked clearly, and missing speech cannot be assumed recoverable.
How much does civil litigation transcription cost?
A private recording quotation depends on duration, language, audio quality, number of speakers, timestamping, review level, output format and deadline. HMCTS official transcript fees follow a different process.
How should confidential civil-case recordings be shared?
Confirm lawful authority, privilege, restrictions and protective orders. Agree permitted recipients, a suitable transfer channel and any deletion or retention instructions before supplying a recording.
Request civil litigation transcription
Share the recording type, case context, duration, number of speakers, permissions and required format. The details help determine the appropriate transcription route.
Start a case transcription request
Tell us the recording type, duration, legal context, transcript style, relevant permissions and deadline. Please do not send confidential audio until a suitable transfer method is agreed.