For the first time, journalists will be able to request a transparency order so that they will be able to report on matters which take place in a Family Court.
This new law came into effect on the 27th January 2025, and access to the Family Court proceedings can only be granted by the judge presiding over the case, according to the UK Judiciary website.
A Shift in Proceedings
This marks a major change to Family Court reporting. Previously, there has been much less transparency, and it is hoped that this new law will mean an improved public understanding of what happens in the Family Courts. In turn, it is also hoped that it will improve the public’s overall confidence in what goes on during Family Court proceedings.
Until now, there has been a feeling that Family Court proceedings are a closed-door affair, with the general public being unable to find out very many details of the case until it has been closed. This leaves some people questioning whether the amount of transparency has been fair. Lawyers working in this field are optimistic that this change in the law will result in more people being able to access details of each case, allowing for better understanding of what is taking place.
It is anticipated that the judge will grant the transparency order in the majority of cases unless there is clear reason not to.
What Do Family Courts Do?
Family Courts typically deal with matters relating to parental custody, where a child ought to live, and, on occasion, whether a child should be removed from their parents’ care altogether. For family law solicitors London, specialist legal experts such as https://bridgelawsolicitors.co.uk/divorce-and-family-law-solicitors/london can provide tailored legal advice on any aspect of Family law.
As well as being able to report freely on Family Court proceedings, journalists or legal blog writers will be able to request certain court documents. The passing of this new law means we will be reading about many more Family Court cases in the open press.
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