Framework Agreement for Court Reporting & Transcription (CRT) Services

Tender description

Following a competitive process, the Ministry of Justice (hereafter the Authority) has awarded a Framework Agreement for the procurement of the following Court Reporting and Transcription Services (CRT) on behalf of HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS): a. Off-site Transcription Services (OTS) which involves the Court recordings being sent to the relevant supplier where they produce the transcription services based on the contracted service level timeframe. b. Attendance-based Transcription Services (ATS) comprises stenographers or loggers attending the Court proceeding and then later producing the transcript to the contracted timescales. c. Real-time Transcription Services (RTS) involves temporarily supplying equipment and production of near-instantaneous transcriptions of proceedings on site. Lot 1: Off-site Transcription Services (OTS) OTS involves the production of high volumes of low-value transcripts away from the court, hearing centre or venue, using a recording provided by the court. The supplier is responsible for producing the transcripts in line with HMCTS' rules, including the application of reporting restrictions (anonymisation) and the collection of relevant approvals and permissions. Services are provided based on agreed service bandings and capped units referred to as folios (72 words). OTS is split into two distinct areas, Crown Court transcription and HMCTS Approved Transcription Panel (ATP): a. Crown Courts contracts under OTS are contracted via Regional lots. Audio is recorded using a dedicated Digital Audio Recording, Transfer and Storage system (DARTS) and stored on the DARTS online portal for supplier access. Requestors are limited to one specific supplier based on the location of the hearing. b. ATP covers Civil & Family Courts and Tribunals. The ATP works on a panel basis where requestors can choose from any of the four suppliers. Audio is recorded using various Digital Audio Recording (DAR) formats after which audio is either downloaded onto physical media and posted to the relevant supplier or uploaded onto the relevant supplier’s portal. For Lot 1 four Call-Off contracts are planned to be awarded on a Regional basis based on the highest tender scores. However the Authority reserves the right to amend the methodology for awarding future Call-off Contracts under the Framework. Lot 2: Attendance-based transcription services (ATS) Crime and Real-time transcription services (RTS) ATS Crime - Services comprise of stenographers (skilled professionals utilising stenotype machines) attending hearings to make a record of proceedings to supplement court recording in order to produce a transcript within the stipulated timescales. These services are primarily required in the Court of Appeal Crime Division located within the Royal Courts of Justice (RCJ). RTS: The provision of near instantaneous transcription services which usually involves a stenographer attending the court proceeding and inputs a real-time record of the hearing. Editors, either based remotely or on site, will assist in the production of a ‘stream’, which would appear on screens in the courtroom, laptops and media feeds. RTS also includes the supplier providing the specialised equipment required for the necessary timescales. Lot 3: Attendance-based Transcription Services (ATS) – Civil, Family and Tribunals 1. Services comprise of loggers attending hearings to make a note of proceedings to supplement court recording in order to produce a transcript within the stipulated timescales. These services are primarily required in the Civil Appeals Court and Administrative Courts located within the RCJ and The Rolls Building. 2. The Lot also include the provision of limited on-site transcription, in the form of a “sensitive case service”, where supplier personnel with appropriate level of security clearance attend the secure hub located at either the Field House (Central London) or the RCJ to produce a transcript on site. 3. In addition to Civil jurisdictions, the ATS service also includes specialist jurisdictions such as the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC), the Proscribed Organisations Appeals Commission (POAC) and PAAC (Pathogens Access Appeals Commission).