What was introduced as the Reporting ‘Pilot’ in 2023 is now a permanent change in family courts, to allow more reporting by journalists and legal bloggers. Within a few months, reporting will be easier in almost all family court cases. The changes are being rolled out as follows:
The 19 Courts that were already operating under the Reporting Pilot will make transparency orders in both public and private law children cases, and across all tiers of judiciary including magistrates.
From 27 January, the scheme will cover public law children (care proceedings) cases in all courts before judges (not magistrates).
From 1 May 2025 it will extend to private law children cases before judges (not magistrates).
From 29 September 2025, cases before magistrates (lay justices) will also be covered.
There’s a separate ongoing pilot for financial cases.
For full details of the new rules and a practice direction (that replaces Reporting Pilot guidance) see our Legal Blogging page.