Extensions to family court transparency pilots

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Family court reporting pilot extension to magistrates

Over the past two years, the President of the Family Division, Sir Andrew McFarlane, has overseen a ‘Reporting Pilot’ to allow accredited journalists and legal bloggers to report on what they see and hear in children cases in the family courts.

In January 2024, the pilot extended to a total of 19 areas across the country and has operated in public and private law cases before judges.

The Transparency Implementation Group (TIG), which has led on the reporting pilot, is pleased to announce that the pilot will extend to include public and private law cases before magistrates in all 19 current pilot areas from Monday 4 November 2024.

The pilot introduces a presumption that accredited media and legal bloggers may report on what they see and hear during family court cases, subject to strict rules of anonymity. The ability to report is being piloted to make sure it can be done safely and with minimum disruption to the court and to those involved in the cases. This will be done by judges in these courts making a ‘Transparency Order’, which sets out the rules on what can and cannot be reported.

As the pilot has extended, the President of the Family Division has re-issued the authoritative guidance setting out the pilot’s framework and rules. The updated guidance, and other resources, can be found on The Tig website (external link) and judicial website. The ‘helpline’ continues to operate for any queries or questions surrounding the pilot: pilots@thetig.org.uk. Journalists are also encouraged to contact the Judicial Office Press Office.

Over the next few weeks, some Designated Family Judges in the pilot areas will be taking part in talks and discussion events in aid of a ‘Reporting Week’ being run by The Bureau of Investigative Journalism between 4-8 November 2024. These events are being advertised locally. Please contact your Local Family Justice Board or local pilot court to see if an event is running near you. Events are open to journalists and anyone working within the family justice system.

Family court financial remedies proceedings reporting pilot extension to Royal Courts of Justice

The pilot scheme for the reporting of financial remedy proceedings will extend to include the Royal Courts of Justice from Monday 11 November 2024.

It has been running at the Central Family Court, Birmingham and Leeds since 29 January 2024.

You can find out more online about the financial remedies proceedings pilot, and the Transparency Implementation Group sub group.