Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to his Department's guidance notes and forms for requesting transcription of Tribunal proceedings requiring appellants to submit an EX105 form to request that a court transcript of proceedings be paid at the public expense, what would qualify a request as not being necessary in the interests of justice for such a transcript to be obtained.

Open justice is a fundamental principle in our Courts and Tribunals system, and we continue to uphold that principle. The decisions of the First-tier and the Upper Tribunal are published on www.gov.uk when they are deemed of legal or public interest.

Whether a transcript should be released in the interests of justice, remains a judicial decision. It is not appropriate for Ministers to comment on how such decisions are made. There are currently no plans to provide transcripts throughout Tribunals at no cost, unless directed by a judge.