Law-courts-related administrative services

Tender description

The Ministry of Justice (MOJ) as the contracting authority intends to run a procurement exercise for the delivery of Court Reporting and Transcription Services (CRT) on behalf of HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS). The (MoJ) and Ministry of Defence (MOD) are required to record hearings which take place in a variety of Courts. Audio recordings provide a true and accurate record of proceedings and are used, when required, to produce transcripts as an official court record. It is the intention that all transcription services will be required under a framework agreement, split into the following lots: 1) Off-Site Transcription Services (OTS), covering all off-site transcriptions; 2) Attendance Based Transcription Services (ATS), covering court reporting and stenography, on-site transcription; 3) Real-Time Transcription Services (RTS), covering all instantaneous on-site transcription. OTS services comprise of the production of a transcript away from the court hearing centre or venue, using a recording provided by the court. The recording is accessed via tape/CD or in the case of Crown Courts, via a download from the dedicated darts portal. The supplier is responsible for producing transcripts of court hearings in line with HMCTS’ rules, including the application of reporting restrictions (anonymisation) and the collection of relevant approvals and permissions. The provision of off-site transcription services for Crown, Civil and Family Courts along with Tribunals and UK based military courts. Audio recording is accessible either through a dedicated DARTS portal (digital) or through physical media. For Crown Court related transcription, it is expected that regional providers will solely be reasonable for requests relating to their respective region. For Civil/Family Courts, Tribunals and Military Courts, it is expected that requestors will chose from the wider pool of providers. The MOJ expects to split this service requirement into regional (geographical) lots. ATS services comprise the supply of stenographers or loggers, who attend court for the purposes of making a note of proceedings to supplement the court recording and assist in the production of a timely and accurate transcript. The requirement also includes the provision of limited on site transcription, in the form of a ‘sensitive case service’, where supplier’s personnel with appropriate levels of security clearance attend the secure hub located at the Royal Courts of Justice (RCJ), and produce a transcript on site. The MOJ expects to split this service requirement into jurisdictional and/or geographical lots. The provision of real-time transcription services, usually provided by stenographers who attend courts in person and provide a near instantaneous transcription of court hearings. RTS services are the supply of near instantaneous transcription services, usually comprising of a stenographer (‘real time writer’) who attends court and inputs a real-time record of proceedings. Editors, either based remotely or on site, may assist in the production of the ‘stream’ which may appear on screens in the courtroom, laptops and on occasion, media feeds.