The role of transparency in rebuilding public trust and confidence

by Lucy R | Mar 4, 2018 | Comment, FCReportingWatch

As we noted in ‘Transparency Project News’ in July [2017] Fam Law 778, August 2017 is the third anniversary of Sir James Munby’s Transparency – the next steps consultation (still available on the judiciary website). We also noted that those responses...

Family Court Reporting Watch Roundup

by reporting watch team | Feb 26, 2018 | FCReportingWatch

Correcting, clarifying or commenting on media reports of family court cases Explaining or commenting on published judgments of family court cases Highlighting other transparency news MEDIA (MIS)REPORTS OF FAMILY COURT CASES NSPCC – We followed up blog...

Mum wins appeal about her child’s potential adoption but still has to pay her own legal costs – why?

by reporting watch team | Feb 25, 2018 | Cases, Comment, Explanation, FCReportingWatch

Proportionality and no order for costs in discharge order proceedings – Discharge order appeal The recent care case of M (A Child) [2018] EWCA Civ 240 (judgment: 20 February 2018) has achieved some notoriety because the mother, who won her appeal, still had to...

On Her Majesty’s Secret [Court] Service, or ‘Billionaire Putin crony loses right to secrecy in Britain’

by Paul M | Feb 25, 2018 | Analysis, Cases, Explanation, FCReportingWatch

“Secrecy in the court system is a growing concern. The press has a duty to uphold the principle of open justice and act as the eyes and ears of the public in the courts. The Times will resist any attempts to erode those principles.” So concludes a front page story in...

Fact Finding hearings and criminal law

by reporting watch team | Feb 18, 2018 | Cases, FCReportingWatch

This post is about a new judgment from the Court of Appeal called : R (Children) [2018] EWCA Civ 198 (16 February 2018). It is about what approach the family court should take in deciding the background facts to a case where a crime might have been committed, and how...

Things children say – Disclosure, allegations and why language matters

by reporting watch team | Feb 15, 2018 | Comment, FCReportingWatch

Earlier this month the NSPCC put out a call on twitter for professionals to respond to a survey they are running as part of the evidence gathering phase of ‘a project to support professionals to take the appropriate action when they have concerns about the...