An end to secrecy in family courts? Proposed reforms of contempt of court law that could lift the threats to sharing information

by Julie Doughty | Nov 27, 2025 | Comment, Consultations, Court of Protection, FCReportingWatch, Transparency News

It’s common knowledge that people involved in family court proceedings held in private are very restricted in what they can say about what’s happening. There are well-established and accepted restrictions on naming children (under section 97 Children Act 1989). The...

Family Procedure Rule Committee Open Meeting

by reporting watch team | Nov 9, 2025 | Consultations, FCReportingWatch

One of our trustees, Julie Doughty, attended the Annual Open Meeting of the Family Procedure Rule Committee held online on 3 November. Applicants who ask to attend are invited to send in a question that may be answered at the meeting. Our question was about the ban on...

Consultation on allocation and gatekeeping in family courts

by reporting watch team | Oct 11, 2025 | Consultations, FCReportingWatch, Open Reporting

This topic was recently covered in a consultation issued by judges that updates guidance to courts on what level of judge or magistrate should sit on a case and generally how applications received will be efficiently administered. The guidance says that it applies to...

Can secret recordings be used as evidence in court?

by Julie Doughty | May 22, 2025 | Comment, Consultations

If you record a meeting or conversation about your children, without people being aware you’re recording them, can you then produce and rely on that recording as part of your evidence to a family court? This is a question that has been hanging around for several years...

Family Court Rule Committee proposes rule change on unregulated experts

by reporting watch team | Mar 27, 2025 | Consultations

Some news on the much awaited reforms relating to the instruction of unregulated experts in the Family Court: the Family Procedure Rule Committee has launched a consultation on proposed rule changes that are said to tighten the standards for the instruction of expert...

The Transparency and Open Justice Board – consultation on key objectives

by reporting watch team | Mar 2, 2025 | Consultations, FCReportingWatch

In April last year, the Lady Chief Justice set up a new Transparency and Open Justice Board, chaired by Mr Justice Nicklin. It aims to lead and coordinate the promotion of transparency and open justice across the courts and tribunals of England & Wales and support...