Ordering family court transcripts
REVIEWED BY: Sean McNamara on 2026-08-31
Why you might need one
A transcript (the verbatim record of a hearing) matters for appeals, applying to set aside a judgment, precision in a fact-finding dispute, or simply understanding exactly what the judge said. Since 2022 the courts have moved toward automatic recording of family proceedings, and approved transcription suppliers prepare transcripts from the recordings.
Free transcripts for certain parties
Since November 2022, parties in certain family cases have been entitled to a transcript free of charge from the court's contracted supplier for specified hearing types — including care and supervision order proceedings, placement for adoption, special guardianship, and certain other family hearings. The free-of-charge entitlement covers a defined list of judgments and hearing types; for other hearings, or for non-parties, transcripts are paid at the supplier's rates.
How to order
1. Ask the court office (or the judge's clerk) to confirm the hearing was recorded and get the hearing reference. 2. The court will direct you to the approved transcription supplier handling that recording. 3. Complete the supplier's request form specifying the hearing, the date and the part you need (a full hearing costs far more than a judgment excerpt). 4. If you qualify for the free entitlement, provide the court's confirmation; otherwise agree the fee before the work starts.
Alternatives when transcripts are expensive
- Note of judgment: the judge can approve a note of the judgment prepared by a party or their lawyer — much cheaper, sometimes sufficient for an application.
- Recording access: you can ask to listen to the recording of your own hearing at court.
- For appeals, check whether permission can be sought using a note in the first instance — but appeal courts often require the approved transcript eventually.
Practical tips
- Request promptly — recordings can fail or be retained only for a limited period.
- Give precise times or topics where you can; targeted excerpts are faster and cheaper.
- Keep transcript requests and the supplier's confirmations in your case file; they are useful evidence of diligence if you later complain or appeal.
General information only, not legal advice.
YourFamilyCase.co.uk is an independent information directory — we are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to HMCTS, the judiciary, or gov.uk. This page is general information and is not legal advice. Court practice changes; always check the current gov.uk guidance on family court recordings and transcripts.
Content verified against the official HMCTS court directory, gov.uk forms and fees pages, and the professional body registers (SRA, FMC, Bar Council). Last reviewed September 2026.