The Transparency Project
@seethrujustice.transparencyproject.org.uk
Making family justice clearer.
Open Justice. Legal blogging. Explanation. Correction.
Nudging the family justice system out into the open ...
Charity (E&W).
Www.transparencyproject.org.uk
Open Justice. Legal blogging. Explanation. Correction.
Nudging the family justice system out into the open ...
Charity (E&W).
Www.transparencyproject.org.uk
Pinned
Legal Blogging
www.transparencyproject.org.uk
Dear all the families who would like us to attend their hearing as legal bloggers,
Some top tips from us. Firstly, do read our FAQs - we have written them to explain what we do (& don’t do) & to help you send us the right information first time around: www.transparencyproject.org.uk/legalbloggers
Some top tips from us. Firstly, do read our FAQs - we have written them to explain what we do (& don’t do) & to help you send us the right information first time around: www.transparencyproject.org.uk/legalbloggers
new Control & the Law podcast with Prof. Rosemary Hunter and @jdkc.bsky.social discussing domestic abuse in family courts open.spotify.com/episode/2Vs0...
Spotify – Web Player
open.spotify.com
February 10, 2026 at 1:34 PM
new Control & the Law podcast with Prof. Rosemary Hunter and @jdkc.bsky.social discussing domestic abuse in family courts open.spotify.com/episode/2Vs0...
www.judiciary.uk/related-offi... 5 March FJC annual conference. Bridget Lindley lecture to be given by @lisaharker.bsky.social . Theme is use of AI & technology in family law
Upcoming events - Courts and Tribunals Judiciary
Find out more about the FJC's upcoming events
www.judiciary.uk
February 8, 2026 at 12:55 PM
www.judiciary.uk/related-offi... 5 March FJC annual conference. Bridget Lindley lecture to be given by @lisaharker.bsky.social . Theme is use of AI & technology in family law
new Parliamentary briefing on improving life for children in care in England researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/PO...
researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk
February 8, 2026 at 12:52 PM
new Parliamentary briefing on improving life for children in care in England researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/PO...
Training and resources were the key themes to emerge at last month's fund-raising Family Law Breakfast, marking Support Through Court’s 25th anniversary, with a panel discussion about trauma in the family courts. The event on 21 January 2026 was... https://transparencyproject.org.uk/?p=30418
February 6, 2026 at 3:07 PM
Training and resources were the key themes to emerge at last month's fund-raising Family Law Breakfast, marking Support Through Court’s 25th anniversary, with a panel discussion about trauma in the family courts. The event on 21 January 2026 was... https://transparencyproject.org.uk/?p=30418
new Court of Appeal judgment on adoption vs long term fostering caselaw.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ewca/civ/202...
S (Foster Care or Placement for Adoption), Re -
Find Case Law
- The National Archives
caselaw.nationalarchives.gov.uk
February 5, 2026 at 5:48 PM
new Court of Appeal judgment on adoption vs long term fostering caselaw.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ewca/civ/202...
Reposted by The Transparency Project
thank you Martin for including a recent report on a family court case where an adoption plan was contested, that I wrote for @seethrujustice.transparencyproject.org.uk
The Week in Care is out, with links to more than 50 articles about children’s services and the care of young people. Sign up for this free weekly email via weekincare@gmail.com
February 3, 2026 at 11:43 AM
thank you Martin for including a recent report on a family court case where an adoption plan was contested, that I wrote for @seethrujustice.transparencyproject.org.uk
December-January Roundup of family courts in the media, new cases, and transparency news
Welcome to the Roundup, where we correct, clarify and comment on media reports of family law, explain and comment on published family court judgments, and highlight other transparency news. MEDIA COVERAGE OF FAMILY LAW, TRANSPARENCY etc The Financial... https://transparencyproject.org.uk/?p=30368
February 3, 2026 at 11:30 AM
December-January Roundup of family courts in the media, new cases, and transparency news
Welcome to the Roundup, where we correct, clarify and comment on media reports of family law, explain and comment on published family court judgments, and highlight other transparency news. MEDIA COVERAGE OF FAMILY LAW, TRANSPARENCY etc The Financial... https://transparencyproject.org.uk/?p=30368
February 3, 2026 at 11:21 AM
Welcome to the Roundup, where we correct, clarify and comment on media reports of family law, explain and comment on published family court judgments, and highlight other transparency news. MEDIA COVERAGE OF FAMILY LAW, TRANSPARENCY etc The Financial... https://transparencyproject.org.uk/?p=30368
Reposted by The Transparency Project
Govt's court reforms have focussed on crown court backlogs, but they will put more pressure on magistrates courts that also have record backlogs. A great new @transformjustice.bsky.social report looks at the causes of poor productivity in the magistrates
Beyond reasonable delay: efficiency in London magistrates’ courts - Transform Justice
www.transformjustice.org.uk
February 2, 2026 at 1:21 PM
Govt's court reforms have focussed on crown court backlogs, but they will put more pressure on magistrates courts that also have record backlogs. A great new @transformjustice.bsky.social report looks at the causes of poor productivity in the magistrates
Reposted by The Transparency Project
www.supremecourt.uk/cases/uksc-2... This week the Supreme Court will hear the appeal against the judgments that the High Court can't use its inherent jurisdiction to set aside a validly made adoption order, when the children are older and want the adoption to be 'undone'
In the matter of X and Y (Children: Adoption Order: Setting Aside) - UK Supreme Court
Does a court have jurisdiction to set aside a valid adoption order other than by way of appeal?
www.supremecourt.uk
February 1, 2026 at 1:33 PM
www.supremecourt.uk/cases/uksc-2... This week the Supreme Court will hear the appeal against the judgments that the High Court can't use its inherent jurisdiction to set aside a validly made adoption order, when the children are older and want the adoption to be 'undone'
A significant decision has been made by Mr Justice Poole in the High Court, allowing a journalist access to a number of psychological reports that were commissioned in family proceedings. Although when a Transparency Order (TO) is made under the... https://transparencyproject.org.uk/?p=30342
January 29, 2026 at 12:12 PM
A significant decision has been made by Mr Justice Poole in the High Court, allowing a journalist access to a number of psychological reports that were commissioned in family proceedings. Although when a Transparency Order (TO) is made under the... https://transparencyproject.org.uk/?p=30342
Reposted by The Transparency Project
The family court will not carry out a wholesale review of cases involving the unregulated psychologist, Melanie Gill, @tbij.bsky.social can reveal. Meanwhile mothers who had their children taken away after Gill gave evidence in their cases demand a public apology. tinyurl.com/595ah2e5
January 28, 2026 at 1:56 PM
The family court will not carry out a wholesale review of cases involving the unregulated psychologist, Melanie Gill, @tbij.bsky.social can reveal. Meanwhile mothers who had their children taken away after Gill gave evidence in their cases demand a public apology. tinyurl.com/595ah2e5
Arbuthnot J asks local authorities to please comply with the law and share safeguarding information with the DBS! www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWF...
X, Re [2025] EWFC 479 (27 November 2025)
www.bailii.org
January 28, 2026 at 3:06 PM
Arbuthnot J asks local authorities to please comply with the law and share safeguarding information with the DBS! www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWF...
the risks of sharing personal information from court proceedings with third party AI systems. Thanks @alexcisneros.bsky.social
This is a guest post by Alex Cisneros, barrister at 39 Essex Chambers. Although it is primarily concerned with cases in the Court of Protection, the risks of using AI apply equally to family law cases, particularly where they have been or will be... https://transparencyproject.org.uk/?p=30331
January 28, 2026 at 1:26 PM
the risks of sharing personal information from court proceedings with third party AI systems. Thanks @alexcisneros.bsky.social
This is a guest post by Alex Cisneros, barrister at 39 Essex Chambers. Although it is primarily concerned with cases in the Court of Protection, the risks of using AI apply equally to family law cases, particularly where they have been or will be... https://transparencyproject.org.uk/?p=30331
January 28, 2026 at 1:22 PM
This is a guest post by Alex Cisneros, barrister at 39 Essex Chambers. Although it is primarily concerned with cases in the Court of Protection, the risks of using AI apply equally to family law cases, particularly where they have been or will be... https://transparencyproject.org.uk/?p=30331
Reposted by The Transparency Project
Excellent legal blog by @juliedoughty.bsky.social with insights into contested adoption hearings. Via
@seethrujustice.transparencyproject.org.uk
transparencyproject.org.uk/much-loved-t...
@seethrujustice.transparencyproject.org.uk
transparencyproject.org.uk/much-loved-t...
‘Much loved’ two-year-old to be adopted following contested court proceedings
‘Tomas’ is a two year old boy who was removed from his parents to live in foster care under an interim care order in January 2025. (None of the parties’ r
transparencyproject.org.uk
January 27, 2026 at 7:02 PM
Excellent legal blog by @juliedoughty.bsky.social with insights into contested adoption hearings. Via
@seethrujustice.transparencyproject.org.uk
transparencyproject.org.uk/much-loved-t...
@seethrujustice.transparencyproject.org.uk
transparencyproject.org.uk/much-loved-t...
A legal blogging report on contested adoption proceedings - it's quite long, but these hearings are rarely scrutinsed by a reporter, so we hope this is helpful. Many cultural and procedural issues
‘Tomas’ is a two year old boy who was removed from his parents to live in foster care under an interim care order in January 2025. (None of the parties’ real names are used in this post.) In a three-day final hearing in November, care and... https://transparencyproject.org.uk/?p=30318
January 26, 2026 at 6:33 PM
A legal blogging report on contested adoption proceedings - it's quite long, but these hearings are rarely scrutinsed by a reporter, so we hope this is helpful. Many cultural and procedural issues
‘Tomas’ is a two year old boy who was removed from his parents to live in foster care under an interim care order in January 2025. (None of the parties’ real names are used in this post.) In a three-day final hearing in November, care and... https://transparencyproject.org.uk/?p=30318
January 29, 2026 at 12:52 PM
‘Tomas’ is a two year old boy who was removed from his parents to live in foster care under an interim care order in January 2025. (None of the parties’ real names are used in this post.) In a three-day final hearing in November, care and... https://transparencyproject.org.uk/?p=30318
We have collected some of the obituaries and public tributes to Sir James, focusing mainly on his contribution to family justice. Sir James was a proactive supporter of The Transparency Project. He passed away on 1st January. Patrick Kidd, 'Outspoken... https://transparencyproject.org.uk/?p=30277
January 25, 2026 at 12:22 PM
We have collected some of the obituaries and public tributes to Sir James, focusing mainly on his contribution to family justice. Sir James was a proactive supporter of The Transparency Project. He passed away on 1st January. Patrick Kidd, 'Outspoken... https://transparencyproject.org.uk/?p=30277
Reposted by The Transparency Project
A media lawyer who was fined £50,000 for professional misconduct and ordered to pay £260,000 in costs after writing to a journalist in 2022 on behalf of the then chancellor of the exchequer Nadim Zahawi has had his disciplinary finding and penalty set aside.
rozenberg.substack.com/p/slapper-sl...
rozenberg.substack.com/p/slapper-sl...
Slapper slapped
High Court sets aside disciplinary finding against solicitor
rozenberg.substack.com
January 21, 2026 at 6:33 AM
A media lawyer who was fined £50,000 for professional misconduct and ordered to pay £260,000 in costs after writing to a journalist in 2022 on behalf of the then chancellor of the exchequer Nadim Zahawi has had his disciplinary finding and penalty set aside.
rozenberg.substack.com/p/slapper-sl...
rozenberg.substack.com/p/slapper-sl...
Reposted by The Transparency Project
The end of a trial does not always bring clarity and closure.
That's why we're making access to a judge's sentencing remarks free for all victims. Helping them understand the outcome of the case that has shaped their life, so they can finally move forward.
That's why we're making access to a judge's sentencing remarks free for all victims. Helping them understand the outcome of the case that has shaped their life, so they can finally move forward.
January 20, 2026 at 10:35 AM
The end of a trial does not always bring clarity and closure.
That's why we're making access to a judge's sentencing remarks free for all victims. Helping them understand the outcome of the case that has shaped their life, so they can finally move forward.
That's why we're making access to a judge's sentencing remarks free for all victims. Helping them understand the outcome of the case that has shaped their life, so they can finally move forward.
The Covid lockdown period provided unexpected opportunities to discover the advantages and disadvantages of holding court hearings 'remotely' online. Currently, family courts prefer to hold hearings in person but there's a general move toward more... https://transparencyproject.org.uk/?p=30259
January 19, 2026 at 5:37 PM
The Covid lockdown period provided unexpected opportunities to discover the advantages and disadvantages of holding court hearings 'remotely' online. Currently, family courts prefer to hold hearings in person but there's a general move toward more... https://transparencyproject.org.uk/?p=30259
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle... We assume this journalist was able to observe family court hearings under the Open Reporting provisions. Good to see a research-based book coming out on this topic, probably unlikely before the Pilot and rule change
I was warned my children would be ripped in half when we divorced. But I had no idea just how brutal custody cases can be
My experience of court was eye-opening. And when I sat in on other cases, I realised how often mothers are vilified
www.theguardian.com
January 18, 2026 at 1:11 PM
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle... We assume this journalist was able to observe family court hearings under the Open Reporting provisions. Good to see a research-based book coming out on this topic, probably unlikely before the Pilot and rule change
Reposted by The Transparency Project
What's the difference between a barrister and a solicitor (version 2.0) pinktape.co.uk/uncategorize...
What’s the difference between a barrister and a solicitor (version 2.0)
in August 2007 right at the start of Pink Tape, I wrote a post called ‘What’s the difference between a barrister and a solicitor?’ Although that post is almost 20 years old it rem…
pinktape.co.uk
January 17, 2026 at 7:06 PM
What's the difference between a barrister and a solicitor (version 2.0) pinktape.co.uk/uncategorize...