What is Transparency?
Noun :
1 the transparency of the glass, translucency, limpidity, clearness, clarity
2 colour transparencies: slide, acetate.
3 the new government aims for better transparency : openness, accountability, straightforwardness, candour.
Transparency for us is all about helping to make the work of the Family Court more visible and more understandable. We think that’s about providing information and about explaining information.
Who is behind the project?
We are a group of practising lawyers, legal bloggers, legal academics and legal publishers with an interest in public legal education, the provision of good quality, accessible information about the work of the Family Court – and in the ways in which transparency can be achieved without compromising the welfare of vulnerable children and adults involved in court cases.
What is it for?
The aim of the project is to shed some light on the workings of the Family Courts, to make the process and the cases understandable for people without law degrees.
Our aim is to make things a bit clearer so that you can make up your own mind about the Family Court and the decisions it makes, not to push a particular view or agenda.
The idea for the project was first set out in a blog post on the Pink Tape Blog : Proto Manifesto. Since then a group of practising and academic lawyers have come together to work out the “what next”. This site represents our working notes.
In January 2015 the project became a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) and in April 2015 The Transparency Project achieved registered charitable status.
The objects of the Transparency Project as set out in its constitution are :
- To advance the education of the public in the subject of family law and its administration, including the family justice system in England and Wales and the work of the family courts, in particular but not exclusively through the provision of balanced, accurate and accessible information about the work of family courts and the facilitating of public discussions and debates which encompass a range of viewpoints.
- To promote the sound administration and development of the law in England and Wales, in particular, family law, by encouraging and contributing to the transparency of processes in the family justice system, contributing to public legal education concerning family law and matters of family justice, enhancing access to justice in matters of family law and by such other means as the trustees may determine.
You can find our core documents and basic information here.
I would have thought it might be useful to involve members of CAFCASS in this project, though as public employees in a rather oppressive organisation there might be reluctance to sign up.
As a fairly recently retired member of CAFCASS I may be able to assist.
Thanks Peter, that sounds very useful. From my work on the Child Protection Resource site, I know there is a lot of suspicion and misunderstanding about the role of Cafcass. Could you contribute a post about your perceptions of your role?
I note the response to my earlier e-mail which did of course mention that I am a retired CAFCASS Officer….specialising in private law as it happens. During the period 2012 to 2014 I founded a child contact centre. I am the author of various articles (published in the NAPO Family Court Journal) which have been somewhat critical.
I am currently on holiday in France and have no time to respond except by a brief e-mail.
I am happy to be of assistance but would prefer discussion with a named individual.
Thanks
PETER BARKER
l am concerned about the methods used by social workers, who are openly lying in court. No-one listens to extended family, we arent allowed to answer what is been said about us. Social workers and other professionals have full access to legal advice. Good families are been slated and many lose good jobs as a result of lies
I am sorry to inform you, you are now one of the many, many members of the losers club, I have yet to read a story that condemns these courts and authorities for their untruthfulness, covering-up that they are the perpetrators of injuries to a child by false, unfounded allegations, threats of Contempt of Court, Removal of Child, dropping so low to covering-up birth brain damage to child, which is only available in the Childs mothers medical records, and is never entered into these courts, WONDER WHY
I lost two children to the risk of emotional abuse fifteen years ago when I was in a domestic violence relationship. I got out of that and somehow drifted through the years I then had three more children that I was allowed to keep with no ss involvement. But with my last sons Dad he became abusive I reported the abuse and got the worse social worker ever who was unsympathetic,lied and twisted my every word. She started talking about the risk of emotional abuse and said she was calling a child protection conference. I sought advice and on that advice I fled to southern ireland.I was later reported missing from the uk and the three boys aged 7, nearly 3 and 13months were removed but the irish ss didnt say much as to why and the warrents were blank with no grounds of removal. I am now fighting to get my children back but because I cant get welfare here they are saying I cant support myself or the children. Further more the refuge I am in has said I have to leave this weekend as I am not getting welfare so cant stay. Please any help or advice would be appreciated.
Hi Allana, I’m afraid we can’t give advice on this site and I don’t know much about the Irish system anyway. I suggest that you try and find a lawyer in Ireland who would be better placed to help and advise you. Best of luck. Lucy
Did you ever overcome this horrific situation?