Open Justice: the way forward

by reporting watch team | Sep 15, 2023 | Consultations, FCReportingWatch, Transparency News

In May this year, the Ministry of Justice issued a call for evidence from all interested parties, including the judiciary, legal professionals, the media, businesses, academics, law and technology experts and court and tribunal users on how they think the government...

The Transparency Review, reviewed

by reporting watch team | Sep 2, 2023 | FCReportingWatch, Legal blogging, Reporting Pilot, Transparency News

As the two year anniversary of the publication of the Transparency Review approaches, how does Sir Andrew McFarlane’s acknowledgment of the need for a major shift in culture and process to increase the transparency of the family justice system, and his promises of a...

When should care orders be made for children living at home? New Court of Appeal guidance

by Julie Doughty | Aug 30, 2023 | Analysis, Cases, FCReportingWatch

The President of the Family Division has issued guidance on when a care order is  the right order for the court to make although the children are to live at home with their parents. In other words, there is no imminent plan to remove the children under a care...

Holding a fact finding hearing in the absence of the perpetrator

by Julie Doughty | Aug 6, 2023 | Cases, Comment, Explanation, FCReportingWatch, Legal blogging, Reporting Pilot

I recently attended a hearing at Cardiff Family Court as a legal blogger under the Reporting Pilot, in the hope of finding out more about QLRs (under the ‘qualified legal representative’ scheme), as we discussed in this post: What’s a QLR and what’s all the fuss...

Should a 14-year-old instruct his own solicitor? – new Court of Appeal judgment

by Julie Doughty | Jul 30, 2023 | Cases, Explanation, FCReportingWatch

This lengthy judgment (82 paragraphs) from Peter Jackson LJ should prove invaluable as a summary of the law and guidance on children’s competence to instruct their own lawyers. It is also useful in considering communication directly between children and judges. The...

Talking in code

by reporting watch team | Jul 19, 2023 | FCReportingWatch, Legal blogging, Reporting Pilot, Transparency News

Some good news. Two bits actually. Firstly, the President has recently announced that the Reporting Pilot will be extended to cover Magistrates from October. Better late than never – the pilot will be ten months into its year long run by that time, so unless the...