Court reporter

[Jacqjacq88]

Quick question - can a newspaper reporter give you details of a court case you were involved in?
My ex was in court on a domestic abuse charge. As he changed his plea to guilty, I no longer had to give evidence so wasn't there. It got into the newspapers as a reporter was there and alot of the details confused me. Would I be allowed to email the reporter to see if they could shed some light on why certain decisions were made and give me some information? I contacted the court but they were no help.
Is that allowed? I don't want to get myself in trouble.

In what kind of court was it heard?

The civil and Crown Courts often record hearings. If this one was recorded, they can give you a copy of the transcripts.

See www.gov.uk/apply-transcript-court-tribunal-hearing

Nothing wrong in asking, you won't get into trouble - depends on how helpful they are feeling as to whether they reply though.

I'm in Scotland and it was a sheriff court. I asked if they had a transcript but they said they didn't for this case. It made the front page of the regional papers and the story included his name and details of what he was charged with.
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Ah, I see. In that case, you've nothing to lose by approaching the court reporter. You won't get into trouble; anything they heard was public.

If you have no luck, maybe try the police.

Thank you everyone. I'll attempt to find her email address today and send a message.

I did this when I was the victim of a crime, the reporting was, in my opinion, wrong. So I phoned the reporter and asked them to take it down

@KitBumbleB did they take it down? We're they ok talking to you about it? I just don't want her going to the police saying I contacted her regarding the case x

As I don't have Twitter, it seems the only way to contact her is her personal Facebook page. Do you think that would be ok? There's no email address that I can see

OP don't worry about the reporter going to the police! It sounds as if you're worried you might be seen to be interfering with the case?

Their reporting must be nothing but the facts that came out of the case, as heard in court. If some kind of mistake has been printed it would be a pretty serious blunder and would need to be corrected.

But don't charge in asking for anything to be taken down as they will take a dim view of that. It's all public domain so unless it is inaccurate they will refuse.

If you're just asking the reporter for some clarification then it will just be a matter between the two of you. If they do get back to you, they won't need to inform anyone else it has happened.

Is there not an email address for the paper or the reporter you could use? I'd keep it open and above board at this point - even just email the paper's general email and ask if you can get in touch?

I know you say you contacted the court but did you speak to the sheriff clerk office or the fiscal? If you call the pf office they would give you the info as the prosecutor on your behalf.

Hi,

In a past life I was a local newspaper reporter.

I'd have spoken to someone in your position without a second thought. In fact I kept one woman up to date after numerous sittings as she had moved to another part of the country. Ita not interfering with the court if all you're doing is asking her questions.

She may not know the answers though, just so you don't think she's lying to you.

Can you ring the newspaper office and ask for her?