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 pilot will extend to include public and private law cases before magistrates in all 19 current pilot areas from Monday 4 November 2024.
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 judicial website. The ‘helpline’ continues to operate for any queries or questions surrounding the pilot: [email protected].
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. Contact your Local Family Justice Board or local pilot court to see if an event is running near you. Events are open to anyone working within the family justice system.
Family court financial remedies proceedings reporting pilot extension to the 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.
