Journalist’s bid to see papers that led to flawed adoption decision fails

by Alice T | Apr 3, 2021 | Cases, Explanation, FCReportingWatch

The Court of Appeal have affirmed Mrs Justice Roberts’ original decision refusing disclosure of court documents to investigative journalist Melanie Newman. Newman’s appeal was dismissed.  The judgment containing the court’s full legal...

The Domestic Abuse appeals – a missed opportunity for cultural change?

by Guest Post | Apr 2, 2021 | Analysis, Cases, Comment, FCReportingWatch, Notorious

This is a guest post from Olive Craig. Olive is senior legal officer at Rights of Women. She is a qualified family law solicitor specialising in children law and legal aid. Rights of Women is a legal charity that provides free, confidential legal advice to women in...

Re H-N [2021] EWCA 448: The Court of Appeal considers domestic abuse.

by Jack Harrison | Mar 30, 2021 | Analysis, Cases, FCReportingWatch

Content warning: the topics discussed in this post include physical and sexual violence. There are some judgments from the higher courts that are so important they give their name to something bigger. They are known instantly to all, like Kylie, Madonna or Cilla. For...

Another case about puberty blockers – what does it say?

by Lucy R | Mar 29, 2021 | Analysis, Cases, Explanation, FCReportingWatch

Last week, Mrs Justice Lieven delivered a judgment in a case concerning puberty blockers. This post explains a little about what that judgment says, and what it may mean for teenagers undergoing this treatment or who want to start / resume their treatment. It follows...

Domestic Abuse Conjoined Appeals – update

by reporting watch team | Mar 28, 2021 | Cases, FCReportingWatch, Notorious

There is still no decision from the Court of Appeal on the conjoined domestic abuse appeals that we wrote about in February. The Court of Appeal considers Domestic Abuse – Part 1 However, we did notice two judgments from HHJ Tolson published on Friday –...

Family Court Reporting Watch Roundup

by Alice T | Mar 28, 2021 | Analysis, Cases, Events, Explanation, FCReportingWatch, Transparency News

Welcome to the Roundup, where we correct, clarify and comment on media reports of family court cases, explain and comment on published family court judgments and highlight other transparency news MEDIA COVERAGE OF FAMILY COURT MATTERS The Times – Published a...

When can you apply to discharge a Special Guardianship Order?

by Lucy R | Mar 26, 2021 | Cases, Explanation, FCReportingWatch

The recent case of M (Special Guardianship Order: Leave To Apply To Discharge) (Rev 1) [2021] EWCA Civ 442 considers the correct approach to applications for leave to apply to discharge a Special Guardianship Order (SGO). It might be helpful for parents who are...

We Still Don’t Know What Dignity Is and Maybe It Doesn’t Matter

by Guest Post | Mar 22, 2021 | Analysis, Cases, Comment, Explanation, FCReportingWatch

This is a guest post from Katie Gollop QC. Katie is a barrister at Serjeants’ Inn Chambers specialising in healthcare related law. She’s also a Deputy High Court Judge allocated to the Family Division and Court of Protection. Katie first wrote about Pippa’s case...

Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill – what does it mean for transparency?

by Paul M | Mar 21, 2021 | Comment, FCReportingWatch, Transparency News, Trends

The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill has prompted widespread concern. Coming so soon after a clash between the police and those who wished to hold a vigil in memory of Sarah Everard, news of whose disappearance and then death while walking home across London...

OUR TREATMENT OF THE VULNERABLE – CHALLENGES FOR THE FAMILY JUSTICE SYSTEM

by Guest Post | Mar 17, 2021 | Comment, FCReportingWatch

This is the text of a paper by Sir James Munby (lately President of the Family Division) delivered at the Royal Holloway University of London Symposium : ‘Inequality and Rights – Contemporary Challenges in the Child Protection and Family Justice Systems before and...