Media access and transparency

The family courts were opened to the media with effect from 27 April 2009. The President of the Family Division has issued guidance on media access and transparency in the Family Court and in the Financial Remedies Court. Amendments have been made to the Family Procedure Rules 2010 (FPR 2010) and the associated Practice Directions. Open reporting provisions apply in all family courts in England and Wales from January 2025.

Introduction to transparency in the family courts

Transparency in the family courts has been subject to a wide-ranging review following a consultation and report issued by the President of the Family Division, Sir Andrew McFarlane. A Transparency Implementation Group (TIG) was created and three transparency orders have been published for use by the courts.

There are two transparency pilots:

•
transparency reporting pilot in the Financial Remedies Court (FRC) (includes financial remedies on divorce, applications under Schedule 1 to the Children Act 1989 (ChA 1989) and applications for financial provision after overseas divorce), and
•
transparency reporting pilot in the Family Court (excludes financial remedy cases)

On 29 October 2021, the President published

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Latest Family News

Cafcass guidance on conflicting assessments in public law cases

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