Posts
The review of the presumption of parental involvement – latest news
As you can read about here, we've been regularly sending Freedom of Information requests to the Ministry of Justice about the ‘urgent’ review they were undertaking on the presumption of parental involvement. The statutory presumption that it's in a child's welfare for...
PR about PR
Here at The Transparency Project, we sometimes receive press releases from law firms. It’s common for barristers’ chambers and law firms to promote their involvement in different cases, and sometimes on the unpopular side of those cases. It’s absolutely crucial to the...
New practice guidance on intermediaries in family courts
New practice guidance ‘The use of Intermediaries, Lay Advocates and Cognitive Assessments in the Family Court’, was issued by the President of the Family Division on 23 January. The guidance is quite brief and refers to three court judgments delivered over the...
Court of Appeal says judges’ names should not be anonymised
The Court of Appeal has unanimously allowed an appeal by journalists Louise Tickle, Hannah Summers and several media organisations against an order made by Mr Justice Williams in December 2024 to keep the identities of Family Court judges anonymous. These judges had...
Sharif judges anonymity: the appeal coverage
On 14 and 15 January the Court of Appeal heard an appeal by journalists Louise Tickle, Hannah Summers and several media organisations against an order made by Mr Justice Williams to keep the identities of Family Court judges anonymous. These judges had made historical...
Family Court Reporting Watch Roundup
Welcome to the Roundup, where we correct, clarify and comment on media reports of family law, explain and comment on published family court judgments, and highlight other transparency news. MEDIA COVERAGE OF FAMILY LAW, TRANSPARENCY etc The Observer view: Ignore...
Court of Appeal to consider the idea of the anonymous judge
In December, following the conviction of Sara Sharif's father and step-mother for her murder, and her uncle for offences associated with her death, the Family Division of the HIgh Court permitted disclosure of documents and information from three family court cases...
One small step at a time – from pilot to practice direction
Santa has brought a whole sackful of transparency related goodies for us to report on. The stocking fillers are The Transparency and Open Justice Board's call for views on its proposed Key Objectives (yes, this is the board announced some months ago, but judicial...
Updates on the operation of family courts – mainly about delay
Two important resources for family court users and professionals were published at the end of November: a webinar to ‘Refocus on the Public Law Outline (PLO)’ and a Family Court Annual Report that covers the year 2023-2024 - although it’s the first annual report on...
Allegations of alienating behaviour – important new guidance published
The Family Justice Council (FJC) has published guidance for Family Court judges and those working in the Family Justice System, on responding to allegations of alienating behaviour. The guidance is snappily entitled ‘Guidance on responding to a child’s...