Court system 'in a shambles' after transcription service goes bust

Australia's court system faces significant disruption as the nation's primary transcription service, VIQ Solutions, winds down operations. Fears are mounting that numerous court cases across the country could be left in limbo following the revelation that VIQ Solutions will cease accepting new transcript orders and is expected to make all its transcribers redundant.

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The contingency arrangements involve a panel of on-shore transcript service providers, and a panel of transcriptionists managed in-house.

The Federal Court acknowledged the situation, stating that contingency plans are underway. These plans involve establishing a panel of on-shore transcription service providers and managing transcriptionists in-house. The court aims to ensure control over court data and recordings while developing a long-term, low-cost model for transcript services, particularly for disadvantaged litigants.

This collapse follows controversy earlier this year when sensitive court files were found to be transcribed in India, allegedly in breach of VIQ Solutions' government contract. Administrators were appointed in March to assess the company's viability shortly after the breach became public.

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We have had no renewed contracts or reassurances from the courts … that work will continue. Nothing has been extended. The only opportunities we are coming across to date are those we are chasing ourselves.

Staff at VIQ Solutions reportedly feel left in the dark, with no assurances of continued work. One transcriber, speaking anonymously, expressed concerns about morale and the future, stating, "It honestly feels like we're flogging a dead horse now, with no hope for the future." They expressed hope that cases reliant on transcripts would be urgently redirected and that hundreds of willing transcribers could continue the work.

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The morale has completely dropped and this is impacting everyone's ability to continue working through to tools down next week. It honestly feels like we're flogging a dead horse now, with no hope for the future.

Legal professionals are warning of severe consequences. Hayder Shkara, Director of Justice Family Lawyers, stated that delayed transcripts could have "devastating" impacts on cases. He urged the Attorney-General to closely monitor the situation, emphasizing that the proper resourcing of the justice system is a matter of public administration and confidence.

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I am hopeful that cases currently relying on transcripts will be redirected on an urgent basis … There are hundreds of us willing to continue this work and do so around the clock if given the opportunity.