Can Journalists Come Into My Family Law Court Hearing?

In short: yes.

Journalists and legal bloggers can attend Family Court hearings in England and Wales, but their ability to report is subject to strict anonymity rules and court approval.

The Family Court deals with highly personal and sensitive information about ordinary people’s family lives. Given the clear need for confidentiality, there have always been strict restrictions on the ability to report on family law cases.

However, this means there is little public understanding of the processes followed by the Family Court and the decisions being made. The Family Court intervenes in family life on a daily basis – deciding, for example, which parent a child should live with; the fair distribution of wealth after divorce; and whether a child is at risk of significant harm and should be removed from their family.

This has therefore been the subject of much debate and discussion, for many years – should reporters be allowed greater access to the Family Court? Should the public have a better understanding of the important decisions being made by the Family Court?

New Open Reporting Rules in Family Courts

The Transparency Review concluded in 2021 with a recommendation for journalists and legal bloggers to be able to report on what they see and hear in the Family Court, subject to strict rules around anonymity. It became the job of the Transparency Implementation Group to put this into practice.

In January 2023, a Reporting Pilot began in three Family Courts. The pilot has been reviewed and expanded since then.

Since 27 January 2025, new open reporting provisions apply to all Family Courts in England and Wales. 

How Do the New Rules Work?

In summary:

• Journalists and legal bloggers (i.e. lawyers acting in a reporting capacity) can attend the Family Court 
• The Court will decide whether to make a ‘Transparency Order’. This would set out that the case can be reported, but with strict rules around anonymity to ensure the confidentiality of the family is maintained. The Order would likely also allow the reporter to see certain documents from the case.
• The presumption is that reporting should be allowed, but the Court can decide that a reporter not be allowed into the Courtroom if considered necessary in the interests of the child (or a connected child); for the safety or protection of a party (or connected person); for the ‘orderly conduct’ of proceedings; or because justice would otherwise be ‘impeded or prejudiced’

Accreditation Requirements

Members of the media, whether they are journalists or authorised legal bloggers, are expected to carry identification to verify their accreditation. Representatives of news organisations should present a card issued by the UK Press Card Authority, while legal bloggers must carry identification confirming their authorised status.

This ensures that only accredited individuals gain access to sensitive court proceedings.

Limitations on Media Attendance

Certain hearings remain closed to media representatives. These include judicially assisted conciliation or negotiation sessions, such as Financial Dispute Resolution Hearings, and applications for adoption or placement orders.

As above, the judge may exclude media where necessary to protect the welfare of those involved or to ensure the fair administration of justice.

Seating Arrangements for Media

Courts are encouraged to accommodate media representatives by providing designated seating areas. Where space is limited, alternative arrangements such as audio-visual links to a separate room may be considered to ensure transparency while maintaining the orderly conduct of proceedings.

Final Thoughts

It is important to be aware that, even though the rules around reporting have changed, this does not mean that parties to the case can report or publish anything about the case. Permission to report the case will only be for professional journalists or legal bloggers.

Further guidance can be found in Part 27 and Practice Directions 12R & 27B of the Family Procedure Rules. The Transparency Project is a charity which provides helpful information about transparency in the Family Courts on its website.

Contact GoodLaw Solicitors

If you need legal advice on Family Court proceedings, Peggy McCoid Davies is an associate in the family law department at GoodLaw, specialising in children’s services involvement in family life.

You can reach Peggy by email at [email protected] or give her a call on 01273 956 270.