A child’s voice in care proceedings

by Julie Doughty | Nov 28, 2025 | Cases, Explanation, FCReportingWatch, Legal blogging

A recent care case heard in Cardiff Family Court highlighted the experiences of children living in fear of their parents’ unpredictable and violent behaviour. The judge said that despite her having 30 years experience in care work, the children’s descriptions (in...

An end to secrecy in family courts? Proposed reforms of contempt of court law that could lift the threats to sharing information

by Julie Doughty | Nov 27, 2025 | Comment, Consultations, Court of Protection, FCReportingWatch, Transparency News

It’s common knowledge that people involved in family court proceedings held in private are very restricted in what they can say about what’s happening. There are well-established and accepted restrictions on naming children (under section 97 Children Act 1989). The...

‘Reform of the Family Court’ – evidence session for the House of Commons Justice Committee

by reporting watch team | Nov 17, 2025 | Events, FCReportingWatch, Open Reporting

The House of Commons Parliamentary Justice Committee held a session on 28 October to look at ‘Reform of the Family Court’. We’re not sure what was meant by ‘reform’ – this was never specified – but the session had four important witnesses giving evidence: Lisa...

Sara Sharif -what we now know from the Safeguarding Review

by Chris Barnes | Nov 13, 2025 | Cases, FCReportingWatch, Notorious

Chris Barnes represented the journalists, Louise Tickle and Hannah Summers, in proceedings before the High Court and Court of Appeal arising from applications for the disclosure of papers from the family proceedings concerning Sara and her family. On 13 November 2025,...

Court lifts grandmother’s anonymity at her request

by reporting watch team | Nov 11, 2025 | Cases, Explanation, FCReportingWatch, Notorious

This court judgment – [2025] EWFC 374 – has been published with two names: one is Re A (A Child) (Mother killed by Father) and the other: Linda Westcarr v Gogoa Lois Tape (1) A (2) The Paternal Grandmother (3)The Paternal Grandfather (4) and The London Borough of...

Family Procedure Rule Committee Open Meeting

by reporting watch team | Nov 9, 2025 | Consultations, FCReportingWatch

One of our trustees, Julie Doughty, attended the Annual Open Meeting of the Family Procedure Rule Committee held online on 3 November. Applicants who ask to attend are invited to send in a question that may be answered at the meeting. Our question was about the ban on...