Is there still any place for supervision orders?

by Julie Doughty | Apr 13, 2021 | Cases, Comment, FCReportingWatch

‘Yes’, according to new research from the Nuffield Family Justice Observatory (NFJO). The purpose and effectiveness of this type of court order is currently being considered by one of the innumerable sub-groups of the Public Law Working Group. Now, the...

F (A Child : Adjournment) [2021] EWCA Civ 469

by Emily Ward | Apr 12, 2021 | Cases, Explanation, FCReportingWatch

This is a post by Emily Ward. Emily is a barrister based at Broadway House Chambers and is Deputy Head of the Family Team. She practises in all areas of family law, and has a particular interest in matrimonial finance and complex children cases. Emily...

Covid-19 and the courts – The House of Lords Constitution Committee’s report

by Paul M | Apr 11, 2021 | Consultations, FCReportingWatch, Transparency News

In a report published at the end of last month the House of Lords Constitution Committee made a number of criticisms of the way the courts have responded to the coronavirus pandemic and the suspension of live hearings necessitated by the lockdown, and made various...

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...