Media reporting now allowed in family courts
The Transparency Project is a pilot scheme that allows journalists to report directly from family courts. It was rolled out in 2023 and has recently been extended across England and Wales.
In this blog, our child law solicitors look at the pros and cons of the Transparency Project and how it might affect family law cases.
What is the Transparency Project?
The Transparency Implementation Group Reporting Pilot (TIG) was launched in January 2023 to trial increased reporting rights for the media in family courts.
Accredited media representatives, i.e. newspapers and journalists, can request a transparency order to enable them to report more extensively.
- From January 2025, the scheme covers public children law cases (care proceedings) in courts before Judges, but not Magistrates.
- From May 2025, the trial will include private children law, financial remedy upon divorce, and Schedule 1 cases (before Judges, but not Magistrates).
- Cases before Magistrates are set to be included from the end of September 2025.
Magistrates typically chair lower courts, handling more straightforward cases, whereas Judges deal with more complex matters in higher courts.
Which courts are using the Transparency scheme?
The first three courts to trial the project were Cardiff, Carlisle and Leeds.
From the end of January 2025, the Transparency Project has been extended to all family courts in England and Wales, including here in Bristol, where our child law solicitors are based. You can find your local family court here.
Can journalists report from court?
Journalists have been allowed to attend family courts since 2009, but had no legal right to report on hearings and/or cases. Now, journalists and legal bloggers can apply for a Transparency Order to enable them to report on what they see and hear in court, if they keep families anonymous.
Some types of hearings are not covered by the Transparency Project: certain financial cases, some meetings in the Family Drug and Alcohol Court, adoption hearings that are not connected to care proceedings, and surrogacy cases.
The benefits of reporting from court
Extending media reporting in the family courts is a positive step towards increased transparency of what happens in family law cases and improves public understanding of the family justice system.
It is also beneficial for journalists to report on cases that are of public interest, to reduce speculation and sensationalism in the media, whilst protecting the anonymity of the families involved in these often sensitive and emotional cases.
Can you object to a journalist coming to court?
Those involved in family court hearings have the right to object to journalists or legal bloggers attending and reporting on their cases. This includes parties, witnesses, Cafcass officers, guardians or children. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean they won’t be allowed in.
Ultimately, the Judge has the final say in whether the media can attend court and report on cases. Judges can also decide whether certain reporters can attend, i.e. if a particular journalist is causing issues, they may be asked to leave while others remain. A judge can also specify that reporters leave part of the hearing if it is particularly sensitive or confidential.
Further information
Our child law solicitors have decades of experience helping families navigate the complex and emotionally challenging area of child law. We focus on achieving the best outcomes for children and their families.
To speak to a member of our team, call 0117 325 2929 or fill out our online enquiry form.