Automatic language translation
Our website uses an automatic service to translate our content into different languages. These translations should be used as a guide only. See our Accessibility page for further information.
Transcripts
A transcript is a written record, prepared in accordance with legislation, of what is said during a court case.
All proceedings in all NSW Courts, being courts of record, are recorded. In the Land and Environment Court an audio recording is created of what is said in the proceedings. The recording is retained by the Reporting Services Branch for up to three years after the court case (five years for criminal matters). Recordings of court and tribunal proceedings across all jurisdictions are retained for 10 years and then destroyed. All transcripts are required as State archives and are never destroyed.
If a person needs a typed copy of a court hearing, the Reporting Services Branch uses the audio recording to prepare the transcript. As an alternative to the provision of transcript, persons can also request the purchase of the audio recording. However these recordings cannot be externally transcribed to produce official transcript (for example, for appeal purposes) and any external transcript cannot be tendered as an official version of what transpired in court. Audio recordings can only be ordered with the express permission of the registrar or presiding judge.
Civil transcripts in the Land and Environment Court are prepared by contractors nominated by Reporting Services Branch. Civil transcripts are ordered directly from Reporting Services Branch and any orders for daily transcripts need to made prior to the commencement of the hearing. Parties to proceedings can now order transcripts via the Online Registry Website.
Show All
Criminal Matters
If you are a party to a criminal matter heard at the Land and Environment Court, place your order on the Online Registry website.
Customers can:
- Order a transcript
- View progress of a transcript request
- Access completed transcripts
- Receive email notifications.
To use the new portal you must be a participant in the case and be registered with the Online Registry. If you are not already registered for the Online Registry, you can create an online registry account.
If you are a non-party to a criminal matter heard at the Land and Environment Court, place your order with the Court's registry by:
- completing a Transcript Order Form and forwarding it to the Court's registry
- paying a deposit - the amount of the deposit will be the cost of producing an eight page transcript.
For the current fees for transcript, see item number 22 on the current Schedule of Court Fees.
Civil Matters
If you are a party to a civil matter heard at the Land and Environment Court, place your order on the Online Registry website.
Customers can:
- Order a transcript
- View progress of a transcript request
- Access completed transcripts
- Receive email notifications.
To use the new portal you must be a participant in the case and be registered with the Online Registry. If you are not already registered for the Online Registry, you can create an online registry account.
If you are a non-party to a civil matter heard at the Land and Environment Court, place your order with the Recording Services Branch by:
- completing a Civil Transcript Form and forwarding it to the Reporting Services Branch
- paying the invoice by credit card. Note: a minimum fee of $250.00 must be paid for daily transcript - see below for more information
Back Transcripts - Civil and Criminal
Transcript is charged on a per page basis. Check the Schedule of Court Fees to determine the current costs per page amount (note: transcript more than three months old is charged at a slightly higher rate per page). As an indication only, a full day of court hearing time would run to approximately 60-70 pages. The transcript is generally made available within 10 working days.
Daily transcripts
The base rate of daily transcripts is $19.50 per page. This cost can then be shared between the parties who order a daily transcript. Payment is by way of credit card details. A minimum fee of $250.00 is applicable.
Cancellation of daily transcript
The minimum fee of $250.00 is payable if the service is cancelled within 24 hours of the commencement of the matter.
It is the obligation of the parties to inform Reporting Services Branch of any cancellation of the hearing.
Everyone is required to pay for transcripts unless they can show that they need it and cannot afford it. If you need a transcript, but cannot afford to pay for it, you need to apply to the Court's registrar who has the authority to waive, postpone or remit court fees. To do this you need to complete a Fee Waiver, Postponement or Remittance Form and forward it to the registrar for determination.
All transcripts are owned by the State of New South Wales. This means the copyright is also owned by the State. Therefore transcripts cannot be photocopied or used in any other way without getting permission from the Reporting Services Branch or by contacting the Community Relations Unit at the NSW Department of Attorney General and Justice who can provide further information about Crown copyright.
Subject to the payment of transcription fees, the parties to the proceedings or their legal representatives are entitled to obtain a copy of a transcript. The Court's registrar may also permit non-parties to obtain a copy of a transcript if they provide sufficient reasons in writing.
Sound recording
A sound recording is created of what was said during the hearing of all Land and Environment Court proceedings held in a courtroom. The recording is retained by the Reporting Services Branch for three years after the court case (five years for criminal matters). A duplicate copy of the sound recording can be ordered as an alternate to the transcript, however duplicate copy cannot be used for official purposes nor can these be externally transcribed to produce official transcript and any external transcript cannot be tendered as an official version of what transpired in court Audio recordings can only be ordered with the express permission of the registrar or presiding judge.
Duplicate recordings are not available if a judge of the Court has ordered the production of a transcript in a particular matter. Additionally, audio recordings of oral judgments are not available for purchase. Oral judgments will be transcribed afterwards and the written judgment will be posted on NSW Caselaw and the court's website under judgments.
Recording of on-site hearings
Hearings that are held on-site are not recorded and therefore transcripts of proceedings and audio recordings are not produced. Judgments delivered at on-site hearings are, however recorded personally by the commissioner delivering the judgment. The recording will be transcribed afterwards and the written judgment will be posted on NSW Caselaw and on the court's website under judgments.
Ordering a duplicate recording
Criminal matters
If you are a party to a criminal matter heard at the Land and Environment Court, place your order on the Online Registry website.
If you are non-party to a criminal matter heard at the Land and Environment Court, a duplicate recording may be ordered by:
- seeking the permission of the registrar or presiding judge
- completing a Transcript Order Form (PDF, 204.2 KB) and forwarding it, together with the authorisation from the registrar or presiding Judge, to the Court's registry
- paying a deposit - deposits on duplicate recordings are charged on the cost of producing one (1) CD or cassette tape.
For the current fees consult item number 21 on the current Schedule of Court Fees. Duplicate recordings are generally made available within five (5) working days.
Civil matters
If you are a party to a civil matter heard at the Land and Environment Court, place your order on the Online Registry website.
If you are a non-party to a civil matter heard at the Land and Environment Court, a duplicate recording may be ordered by:
- seeking the permission of the registrar or presiding judge
- completing a Civil Transcript Order Form (PDF, 108.1 KB) and forwarding it, together with the authorisation from the registrar or presiding Judge, to the Reporting Services Branch
- paying the invoice by credit card.
For the current fees consult item number 21 on the current Schedule of Court Fees.
Duplicate recordings are generally made available within five (5) working days.
Cost of duplicate recordings
The cost of duplicate recordings are detailed in the Schedule of Court Fees.
Last updated:
19 May 2023
We acknowledge the traditional owners and custodians of the land on which we work and we pay respect to the Elders, past, present and future.