What you need to know about reporting on the family court system
Information for journalists reporting on the family courts
30.01.23
Family Court Files
Life-changing powers are exercised daily by the state in these hidden hearings, with little outside scrutiny or effective, independent accountability
The reporting pilot enables those journalists to report on most family court hearings in the pilot courts, free from many of the restrictions that apply to family cases in all other areas
Anonymity for children, their parents, carers and siblings is the condition on which the pilot reporting regime is based
Almost all family court cases involve parents and children who are vulnerable in some way
The ethos underpinning the reporting pilot is respectful engagement between media, lawyers and the judiciary
Courts range from large and grand to a small office-type room with a few desks
These answers are applicable to the pilot areas
The pilot courts are trialling a new way of working that means journalists attending family court cases can report
Reporters attending hearings under this scheme could be interested in understanding more about the family justice system, how it works and what each role involves.
A pilot at three courts could completely revolutionise the way life-changing hearings are reported
14.03.23
A news report about a case at Cardiff family court, made possible by a pilot to improve transparency in the family justice system, has been read more than 160,000 times on Wales Online
29.10.21
Our Impact
Raft of proposals will increase transparency of family court hearings, which for decades have been held behind closed doors
22.02.24
Our reporting pilot has been extended to a further 16 locations. If you’re a journalist interested in covering cases, here’s some key information
13.09.24
Inaugural week-long event will offer sessions, mentoring and practical support for journalists who want to report on family courts
12.01.24
Journalists will be able to report what they see and hear at courts in a further 16 areas
28.03.24
Our reporter on covering the family courts before and during our groundbreaking transparency pilot
21.04.23
BBC journalist Sanchia Berg describes the challenges of reporting on family courts in England and Wales, and why the TBIJ-supported transparency project is a step in the right direction
After two decades as a court reporter, a journalist is able to report for the first time on decisions that can determine children’s futures, thanks to a family courts transparency pilot
Decision came after evidence from three experts, one of whom was unregulated
Published with
A contentious theory is being used as a litigation tool to counter claims of domestic abuse
Work by TBIJ allows reporting of a case in which the controversial concept of parental alienation was used to counter domestic abuse allegations
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