The NICTS wishes to establish a contract with a single supplier for the provision of quality court transcription services that will meet the current business needs. The provision of Court Transcription Services is a mandatory service which is governed by The Criminal Appeal (Northern Ireland) Rules 1968 (Rules 24-29). In addition, the Judicature (NI) Act 1978 (S16 (1) and S46(1)) specifies ‘courts of record’, which includes the High Court, Crown Court, Family Care Centres and Coroner’s Courts. The contract will run for a period of 4 years with options to extend for further periods of up to and including 24 months beyond this period.