Journalist allowed to read psychologist’s reports

by reporting watch team | Jan 29, 2026 | Cases, Explanation, FCReportingWatch, Open Reporting

A significant decision has been made by Mr Justice Poole in the High Court, allowing a journalist access to a number of psychological reports that were commissioned in family proceedings.  Although when a Transparency Order (TO) is made under the Reporting...

‘Much loved’ two-year-old to be adopted following contested court proceedings

by Julie Doughty | Jan 26, 2026 | Cases, FCReportingWatch, Legal blogging

‘Tomas’ is a two year old boy who was removed from his parents to live in foster care under an interim care order in January 2025. (None of the parties’ real names are used in this post.) In a three-day final hearing in November, care and placement for adoption orders...

Tributes to Sir James Munby, former President of the Family Division

by reporting watch team | Jan 21, 2026 | FCReportingWatch

We have collected some of the obituaries and public tributes to Sir James, focusing mainly on his contribution to family justice. Sir James was a proactive supporter of The Transparency Project. He passed away on 1st January. Patrick Kidd, ‘Outspoken leader of...

Rules for online court hearings – consultation

by reporting watch team | Jan 19, 2026 | Consultations, Court of Protection, FCReportingWatch

The Covid lockdown period provided unexpected opportunities to discover the advantages and disadvantages of holding court hearings ‘remotely’ online. Currently, family courts prefer to hold hearings in person but there’s a general move toward more...

Sir James Munby’s greatest hits: an appreciation of his work

by Polly Morgan | Jan 14, 2026 | Cases, Comment, FCReportingWatch

If you have been to family court, there is a good chance that your case was influenced by decisions made by Sir James Munby, who has died aged 77. As a barrister, as a judge, and finally as President of the Family Division – the most senior family judge in the...

The Open Justice Principle and access to local authority documents

by reporting watch team | Jan 13, 2026 | Cases, Explanation, FCReportingWatch

A heavily redacted judgment about a BBC application to the Family Court appeared on BAILII and The National Archives (TNA) in December (last month) although it had been delivered a year earlier. We can also see from the number – 421 – that this was allocated by TNA...