New open reporting provisions have been introduced in family courts across England and Wales, effective from Monday 27 January 2025.
Palmers Solicitors, a respected law firm based in Essex, offers expert commentary on the potential impact these changes will have on the family justice system.
The new provisions allow journalists and legal bloggers to attend family court hearings and report on what they observe, provided a transparency order is granted.
These reforms aim to improve transparency and build public trust in the family justice system.
However, concerns have been raised regarding the potential consequences for vulnerable families and children.
Karen Bishop, Head of Family Law at Palmers Solicitors, explained:
“While we recognise the importance of transparency and the potential for these provisions to build public trust in the family justice system, we must also consider the emotional and practical impact on the families involved.”
A key concern is the risk of unintentional identification or “jigsaw identification,” where certain details may inadvertently reveal the identity of children.
“For children who have already experienced distressing situations, such as abuse, neglect, or parental separation, the reality of their case being reported in the media must be carefully considered,” said Karen.
“It’s crucial that appropriate support and guidance are in place for children who may later read about their own case as adults.”
These reforms build on the success of the Family Court Reporting Pilot, launched in 2023, which reported no breaches of confidentiality but highlighted concerns about limited media resources.
The new provisions also aim to hold decision-makers accountable and improve the consistency and quality of decision-making in the family justice system.
“Securing the best outcomes for children and their families means ensuring decisions in family courts are fair, consistent, and based on the best available information,” said Karen.
“The scrutiny that comes with media reporting may drive up standards and improve accountability by exposing weaknesses, highlighting successes, and encouraging greater consistency in decision-making.”
“We have already seen instances of how reporting under the pilot has raised awareness of key issues in the family justice system and led to positive changes. The hope is that this momentum will continue with the full rollout of the provisions.”
As the open reporting provisions are rolled out across family courts in England and Wales, Palmers Solicitors remains committed to supporting families.
The firm offers expert legal advice on family law matters and ensures clients are fully informed about the implications of these changes within the justice system.