Family law ‘demands’ the scrutiny of journalism, says campaigner

Family courts have the powers to intervene in many aspects of families’ lives – including whether children should be removed from their parents. From early next year, journalists will be allowed to ask for permission to report on family court cases across England and Wales.

Currently these courts are subject to strict media restrictions, due to the sensitivity of the cases. Journalists will be able to request details of cases, and possibly even the names of judges who oversee them – a development which has particular resonance this week following the Sara Sharif case, which saw her father and stepmother convicted of her murder.

We spoke to Louise Tickle who has been campaigning for more media access to family court judgements.