An audio recording is made at most court proceedings and when a judge gives "oral reasons" for judgment or for sentence in the courtroom. Exceptions include Settlement Conferences in small claims court, Family Case Conferences and Trial Preparation Conferences in provincial family court.
The court registry retains the audio recording for five years. During this time, the parties to the case or other interested persons may order a written copy of the recording. This is called a transcript. Transcripts are not prepared by court registry staff but by transcription companies (and by authorized court reporters in Supreme Court Civil matters.)
Transcripts must be ordered directly from the local transcription company or authorized court reporter. It is important that the transcript order be completed as fully and accurately as possible, so that the transcript can be prepared accurately and as quickly as possible.
Note: Transcripts of Supreme Court Judicial Case Conferences may only be prepared if a judge makes a court order allowing this.
If you are a transcription company or authorized court reporter, you can access the policies and forms page here.
