Criminal Transcripts

Court reporter at work

How do I obtain transcript for a criminal proceeding?
Requests for transcript can be made by contacting the VGRS by telephone, facsimile, email or in person at:

  VGRS
  Transcript Services Unit
  Level 2, 565 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne
  VICTORIA 3000

Office hours 8.45 am – 5.00 pm Monday to Friday (except public holidays).

Tel:  +61 3 96032401
Fax:   +61 3 9670 4139

Email:   vgrs.transcriptrequest@justice.vic.gov.au

 
You will need to provide the following information:

• the Jurisdiction and location (the court hearing the proceedings)
• the name of the accused person
• the date of hearing
• the name of the presiding Judge
• the type of matter
• indicate your interest or connection to the proceedings.

What does a transcript cost?
If transcript has been produced previously  Electronic $1.20 per page;  Paper  $1.40 per page  (All prices are inclusive of GST)
If production (typing) of transcript is required  Electronic $11.70 per page:  Paper format $11.90 per page  (All prices are inclusive of GST)
 

Can the fee for a transcript be waived?
Fees for transcript are prescribed under the Evidence (Transcript Fees) Regulations 2007.  The regulations do not provide for the waiving of the fee by the VGRS or court staff.
The court (Judge) may direct the VGRS to prepare and deliver a transcript to the court, and the parties free of charge.

Can I read a transcript without having to buy a copy?
As long as the transcript has already been prepared and access is not restricted by an order of the court.  The VGRS provides a reading area located at Level 2/565 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne. Bookings are essential and can be made by ringing 61 3 96032401
Identification is required prior to being allowed access to transcript.
This service is provided at no cost.

How do I obtain audio recording for a criminal proceeding?
Recordings are only provided with the permission of the presiding Judge. Your request should be made to the Judge’s associate, who will advise the VGRS if permission is granted.

Parties considering lodging a Notice of Appeal at the Court of Appeal, who require an audio recording of a plea, sentence or charge in accordance with the Supreme Court of Victoria's Practice Direction 2 of 2011, should complete the form below and email or fax it to the VGRS.

What circumstances may transcript not be available?
The VGRS prepares transcript in criminal proceedings only, however not all proceedings are transcribed as a matter of course.

Restriction - The court may order that transcript not be made available to those other than the parties to the proceedings. This applies particularly when hearings are conducted "in camera" (in private) or when a suppression order is made by the court.

Sentences – Are available only to parties in the matter and their legal representatives. Other people wishing to access transcript must obtain permission of the Judge.

Appeal – Where an appeal has been lodged with the Court of Appeal, the transcript is restricted and can only be accessed with the permission of the Court of Appeal.

• OrderForm for AudioRecording_COA_Final_February 2011.doc (DOC, 58 KB)
• OrderForm for AudioRecording_COA_Final_February 2011.pdf (PDF, 33.71 KB)