All victims going through the Crown Court will have free access to judges’ sentencing remarks in their case, the Ministry of Justice has announced.
The move is the latest measure to improve transparency and victims’ experiences in the courts, consistent with the recommendations of the Leveson Review.
Victims typically have to pay £40 to access sentencing remarks, but can run into hundreds of pounds for some. The change removes barriers to justice and provides transparency for victims to help process what has happened to them and move forward with their lives, the Ministry of Justice said.
“The end of a trial does not mean the end of a victims’ journey – for many, it’s just the beginning,” said deputy prime minister David Lammy.
“Free access to sentencing remarks will embolden victims to look back on their bravery and process their experience at their own pace.
“This government will continue to deliver swifter justice for victims, and make sure victims are confident that the justice system works for them.”
Facing a perpetrator in court can be extremely distressing for victims, the MoJ said, with their emotions often compounded by the finality of sentencing.
“Access to sentencing remarks – where judges explain the sentence and the reason behind it – can provide clarity and reassurance, allowing victims to reflect on the outcome when they are ready.”
The expansion follows the success of a pilot scheme which found free access helped victims feel a greater sense of justice, supported their wellbeing, and increased their faith in the justice system.
Claire Waxman OBE, the victims’ commissioner for England and Wales, said:
“Today’s announcement is a victory for the brave survivors of the Open Justice For All campaign, and a crucial, welcome step towards real transparency in our courts.
“For too long, victims have been left in the dark about what happened in their own cases, facing unnecessary hurdles and unfair costs just to understand how the sentence was reached. This barrier has compounded trauma and delayed closure for far too many.
“It is now crucial the Ministry of Justice puts in place the right infrastructure, supporting the judiciary by shouldering the administrative burden. We must also go further: I want open justice for all victims – including free access to judges’ summing-up in acquittals and an extension to magistrates’ courts – so that every survivor can get the closure they deserve.”
