Split decisions – William Rollin comments in the Law Society Gazette

Historically, the business of the family courts has been conducted behind closed doors, however, journalists can now report from family courts in England and Wales in what the UK's most senior family judge has called a "watershed" change. From January, accredited journalists can speak to families about their ongoing cases, report what they see and hear in court, and quote from key documents – provided they keep those families anonymous. The change follows a two-year "transparency pilot" which began with three court centres and now covers almost half the family courts in England and Wales.

In a recent article in the Law Society Gazette, Family Partner, William Rollin provides his insights on the family court transparency changes. 

William comments: “As family solicitors – we know our clients are overwhelmingly anxious about their day in court - the stressful finale of traumatic relationship breakdown. Family Court process inevitably revolves around confidential personal information, whether dealing with complex (private) financials or even more agonisingly sensitive issues like marital rape or child sex abuse. It is hard to conceive that any party in family proceedings will welcome the presence of a journalist.  Only time and experience will show whether the transparency project is safe for parties in family court proceedings. In the interim, the policy interests of extending the project - and the presence of journalists in court - will inevitably cause stress and anxiety to vulnerable parties. As the scheme is extended, the most obvious takeaway of the transparency project is the profound attraction of family arbitration (where possible within the scheme rules) to resolve family disputes in total privacy. ”

Read the full article in the Law Society Gazette here.