Source · Select Committees · Justice Committee
Recommendation 42
42
Acknowledged
Paragraph: 152
Media access to Family Courts supported, but resource allocation and reporting interest remain uncertain.
Conclusion
In broad terms, we support the Transparency Review’s principal recommendation that media representative and bloggers should be able to report, subject to the relevant restrictions, on the cases they observe in the Family Court. We would caution, however, that given the decline in the number of court reporters in recent years, it is unclear whether media outlets will necessarily dedicate greater resources to reporting on the family courts as a result of these changes. We look forward to seeing the results of the pilots.
Government Response Summary
The government states that decisions on media and blogger reporting in family courts are ultimately for the judiciary, but they are working alongside the President of the Family Division to establish media reporting pilots.
Paragraph Reference:
152
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
112. In relation to media representation and legal bloggers at family court hearings, as well as producing court listings and family court judgments, these are for the judiciary to ultimately decide. We are working alongside the PFD to establish media reporting pilots and progress any work to support these recommendations via the TIG and its sub-groups.