Form EX105: Get Help Paying for a Court Transcript
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Getting hold of a court transcript is rarely cheap. Transcribers charge by the page or by the minute of recording, and a full day in court can run into hundreds or even thousands of pounds. If you need a transcript for an appeal, to understand what a judge decided, or to support another legal step, the cost alone can feel like a barrier.
Form EX105 is the application you complete when you want the court to consider paying for the transcript on your behalf, either in full or in part, based on your financial circumstances. This page walks through what the form covers, the sort of information you need to gather before you start, and how the decision process tends to work in practice for courts in England and Wales.
What this document is
A court transcript is a written record of what was said during a hearing. That can include the judge's remarks, witness testimony, submissions from legal representatives, and the reasoning given when a judgment was delivered. Transcripts are produced by approved transcription companies working from the court's official audio recording, not by the court itself, which is why fees are charged directly by the transcriber rather than by HMCTS.
Form EX105 is the means-tested application used when someone cannot afford these fees. It asks for details about your income, benefits, outgoings, housing costs, and any dependents you support. The court weighs this information against the cost quoted by the transcriber and decides whether public funds will cover some or all of the bill.
The form is separate from the EX160 used for help with court fees, because transcript costs are treated as a distinct category of expense. You'll typically need to get a quote from a transcription provider before the court can consider your application.
How to use this document
- Identify the hearing and get a quote. Contact one of the approved transcription companies listed by HMCTS and ask for an estimate. You'll need the case number, the date of the hearing, the name of the judge, and a clear note of what portion you want transcribed, whether that's the judgment alone, a specific witness, or the full proceedings. 2. Gather your financial evidence. Before filling in the form, collect recent wage slips, a P60 if you have one, benefit award letters, bank statements, and any documents showing regular outgoings such as rent, mortgage payments, council tax, and childcare. The court will want to see proof, not just figures written on the form. 3. Complete Form EX105 in full. Work through each section carefully. Include your personal details, the case information, the transcriber's quote, details of anyone financially dependent on you, your income from all sources, and your essential outgoings. Leaving sections blank or vague is one of the most common reasons applications are delayed or refused. 4. Submit the form to the correct court. File EX105 with the court that heard the original matter, along with all supporting evidence and the transcriber's quote. Keep a copy for yourself. Some courts accept submissions by post, others by email, so check how your particular court prefers to receive applications. 5. Wait for the decision and act on it. The court will review your application and either approve the transcript at public expense, approve part of the cost, or decline. If approved, the court liaises with the transcriber. If declined, you may be able to ask for the decision to be reconsidered, or explore whether a more limited transcript might be within reach.
Common questions
Q Who can apply using Form EX105?
The form is intended for people who need a court transcript but would struggle to pay the transcriber's fee from their own resources. There's no fixed income threshold published on the form itself; the court looks at your overall financial picture, including what you earn, what benefits you receive, how many people depend on you, and what your unavoidable outgoings are. Low income or receipt of certain means-tested benefits generally strengthens an application.
Q Do I have to get a quote before submitting the form?
Yes. The court needs to know roughly what the transcript will cost before it can decide whether to fund it. You obtain this from one of the transcription companies approved to work with that particular court. The quote depends on how much of the hearing you want transcribed and how long the recording runs, so being precise about the portion you need can keep costs down.
Q Is Form EX105 the same as help with court fees?
No, they're separate schemes. Help With Fees, applied for using Form EX160, covers issue fees and hearing fees charged by the court itself. EX105 specifically addresses the cost of transcripts, which are produced by private transcription companies on the court's behalf. You can potentially apply for both if you qualify, but they're assessed independently.
Q How long does a decision usually take?
Turnaround varies from court to court and depends on how busy the relevant office is. Straightforward applications with complete supporting evidence tend to move faster. If you're working to an appeal deadline, flag this clearly when you submit the form and contact the court if you haven't heard back as the deadline approaches. Incomplete applications almost always slow things down.
Q What if my application is refused?
A refusal isn't necessarily the end of the road. You can ask the court to reconsider, particularly if your circumstances have changed or if there's further evidence you didn't include first time round. It may also be worth asking the transcriber whether a shorter extract, for example just the judgment, would meet your needs at a lower cost that you could manage.
Q Can I get a transcript of any hearing?
Generally, transcripts can be produced from hearings that were officially recorded, which covers most proceedings in the County Court, High Court, Crown Court, and appellate courts. Some older hearings may not have recordings available. There are also restrictions on transcripts of family proceedings and matters involving children, where additional permission from a judge is usually required before a transcript can be released.
Q Do I need a solicitor to submit Form EX105?
No. The form is designed to be completed by litigants in person as well as by those with legal representation. That said, getting the financial section right matters, and so does being clear about which part of the hearing you need transcribed and why. If you're unsure, talking it through with someone who understands the process can save time and reduce the risk of a refusal.
Sources
This guide is based on primary UK law and official guidance.
- Guidance · UK GovForm EX105: Application for help with court transcript costs (gov.uk)gov.uk
- Guidance · HMCTSTranscripts of court or tribunal hearings (gov.uk)gov.uk
- Guidance · UK GovHelp with court and tribunal fees (gov.uk)gov.uk
Legal disclaimer
This article is for general information only. It is a tool to help you find your way — not legal advice, and not a substitute for speaking to a qualified adviser about your situation.