大象传媒

Last year, more than a quarter of a million cases started in Family Court in England and Wales.

Yet, to most people, the way they work is a mystery.

Traditionally, they were always held in private, because they discuss sensitive information about peoples' personal lives, and to protect children from harm.

Since 2009 reporters have been allowed to attend hearings. But they weren't allowed to tell anyone what was said without the permission of the court, and judges could exclude them.

Now, a pilot has been operating in 19 areas across England and Wales to allow journalists and legal bloggers to report Family Court cases, subject to strict rules of anonymity. Last week, it was extended to cover both private and public family cases at magistrates courts in the pilot areas.

But will it improve confidence and help people understand how the family courts work?

This week, Dr Joelle Grogan is joined by 大象传媒 correspondent Sanchia Berg and Lucy Reed KC, chair of the charity, the Transparency Project, to explain how the family courts work, what people attending them can expect, and why the reporting pilot is vital.

Presenter: Dr Joelle Grogan
Producers: Ravi Naik and Arlene Gregorius
Editor: Tara McDermott
Production Coordinator: Maria Ogundele

Contributors:
大象传媒 Correspondent Sanchia Berg.
Lucy Reed KC, family law barrister at St John's chambers, legal blogger, and chair of the Transparency Project.
Samantha Woodham, family law barrister at 4PB chambers and co-founder of the Divorce Surgery