Protecting children’s privacy should be paramount in family court proceedings.
The Law Society supports openness and transparency in family cases but believes there must be a balance between ensuring public confidence in the process and the protection of sensitive personal information, especially where children are involved.
The Law Society has called on the Ministry of Justice to consider alternative options to deliver a transparent family justice system without sacrificing the privacy of families and especially children.
The Law Society believes such transparency can also be achieved by other means such as the use of anonymised judgement.
Law Society president Linda Lee said: “Publishing sensitive personal information could cause significant embarrassment, distress and disadvantage to the parties involved in family cases.
“We support increasing the public’s understanding of the Family Courts through more openness and transparency but not at the risk of clients’ privacy and safety.
“In many Family Court cases, the decisions made will affect the adults and children involved for the rest of their lives.
“The Law Society will continue to closely monitor the proposed legislation and support the aim of the Bill to provide a more effective, transparent and accountable family justice system through the implementation of a single, consistent reporting regime.”
“We look forward to working closely with the Government as it re-examines proposed changes to the family justice system.”
