Latest Expert Witness News

MP forces family law ruling change?

Birmingham MP John Hemmings’ long-running campaign to end the secrecy in family law courts appears set for victory, following reports that the Government is to allow the media to report on hearings.

The Lib Dem MP for Yardley has come under fire from fellow politicians and senior judges for claiming that family courts sometimes remove children from their families for no good reason.

Now Jack Straw, the Justice Secretary, is to announce a change of policy next month, allowing press and broadcasters to report on hearings which decide whether children should be taken into care.

Under current laws, parents cannot even discuss the case with people who might be able to offer advice, such as relatives. Any reforms are likely to include strict restrictions on what the media can report. In criminal cases where a child is alleged to have been abused, the press cannot print their name, school or any other details.

However, the rules in family courts are much stricter, with media simply being banned entirely.

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