This page summarizes the Ministry of the Attorney General’s Court Transcript Standards and Procedures Manual (October 3, 2024), the authoritative guide governing how transcripts are ordered, produced, certified, formatted, and distributed in Ontario courts. The manual sets out the mandatory standards for Authorized Court Transcriptionists (ACTs), the rules for public access, and the procedures for restricted transcripts in criminal, civil, family, and youth matters.
The manual explains that a transcript is a certified written record of an in‑court proceeding, produced from official audio recordings and authenticated through a formal certification process. As the manual states, “A transcript is a certified written record of an in‑court proceeding,” and certification ensures the transcript is a true and accurate record of what occurred in court. Transcripts are produced for appeals, judicial reference, publication, and evidentiary purposes, and only trained, authorized ACTs may prepare and certify them.
The manual outlines the full transcription workflow: how transcript orders are submitted, how ACTs receive recordings, how restricted transcripts are handled, and how ACTs must store and secure all materials. It details the rules for Youth Criminal Justice Act transcripts, child protection matters, adoption proceedings, in camera hearings, publication bans, record suspensions, and other restricted categories. The manual emphasizes that access to youth transcripts is strictly limited under s.119 of the YCJA and that unauthorized disclosure is an offence.
The manual also provides comprehensive formatting standards, including page layout, headings, time notations, question‑and‑answer formatting, cover pages, tables of contents, neutral citations, naming conventions for electronic transcripts, and requirements for multi‑volume transcripts filed with the Court of Appeal. It includes detailed guidance on inclusions and exclusions for bail hearings, preliminary inquiries, criminal appeals, civil appeals, family appeals, and automatic transcripts.
The manual further explains the certification process, judicial approval procedures, proofreading requirements, transcript fees, distribution rules, and secure electronic delivery standards. It includes updated pandemic‑era practice directions, retention schedules, and structural changes introduced between 2022 and 2024.
This page forms part of LawCap’s public‑interest archive, providing accessible summaries of government policies that affect transparency, accountability, and access to justice. The Court Transcript Standards and Procedures Manual is essential for understanding how transcripts are produced, who may access them, and how they support appeals, judicial review, and the integrity of the court record.