HMCTS - Family Division’s Transparency Review

In May 2019, the President of the Family Division, Sir Andrew McFarlane, announced he would undertake a review of the current arrangements for media/public access and reporting in the Family Courts. This is also now known as the ‘Transparency Review.’

The review will look at the current arrangements which regulate access to family courts by journalists and the public.

The following panel members have been selected:

Mrs Justice Nathalie Lieven (family division High Court judge) Dr Eia Asen (consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist) Anthony Douglas CBE (former chief executive of CAFCASS) Clare Dyer (former Legal Editor of The Guardian) Nicola Shaw CBE (Executive Director of National Grid)

The idea is to consider if and whether the line is currently drawn correctly between the need for confidentiality for the families and children whose personal information may be the subject of proceedings in the Family Court, and, on the other hand, the need for the public to have confidence in the work that these courts undertake on behalf of the State and society.

Where to place the boundaries for confidentiality with sensitivity, whilst also being open and transparent?

You can read more at the HMCTS Family Division website through this link.