A $60k charge for your own court transcripts? That’s what concert pianist Jayson Gillham is up for in his case against the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, on top of the $45k for a 15 day trial. What’s the scam with the claim that justice is open to all?
As reported here, the Federal Court charged Simon Turner, the coal miner suing BHP, almost $2k for half a day of transcripts in his own case, his own evidence. The scam is, as with Gilham, the transcription service has been privatised so the money goes to a foreign multinational – VIQ Solutions – for a digitised AI service which the Court could have provided itself.
It’s hard to escape the conclusion that the courts are deliberately trying to price ordinary people out of the justice system. Lawyers are exploiting the spectre of court costs in their mediation tactics. As you do. Surely it’s the role of the courts to deliver a level playing field, or simply stick to their own hallowed claim – the principle of open justice.
And the money goes to a multinational!
Freedom of Speech on Trial at the Melbourne Symphony | The West Report
Michael West established Michael West Media in 2016 to focus on journalism of high public interest, particularly the rising power of corporations over democracy. West was formerly a journalist and editor with Fairfax newspapers, a columnist for News Corp and even, once, a stockbroker.