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 one groan at a time…
Charity (E&W).
Www.transparencyproject.org.uk
Open Justice. Legal blogging. Explanation. Correction.
Nudging the family justice system out into the open one groan at a time…
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
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...
Sir James Munby's greatest hits - ten significant child law decisions - by @pollyemorgan.bsky.social
If you have been to family court, there is a good chance that your case was influenced by decisions made by Sir James Munby, who has died aged 77. As a barrister, as a judge, and finally as President of the Family Division – the most senior family... https://transparencyproject.org.uk/?p=30246
January 14, 2026 at 11:30 AM
Sir James Munby's greatest hits - ten significant child law decisions - by @pollyemorgan.bsky.social
If you have been to family court, there is a good chance that your case was influenced by decisions made by Sir James Munby, who has died aged 77. As a barrister, as a judge, and finally as President of the Family Division – the most senior family... https://transparencyproject.org.uk/?p=30246
January 14, 2026 at 11:25 AM
If you have been to family court, there is a good chance that your case was influenced by decisions made by Sir James Munby, who has died aged 77. As a barrister, as a judge, and finally as President of the Family Division – the most senior family... https://transparencyproject.org.uk/?p=30246
Interesting research on the persisting myths on fairness in divorce academic.oup.com/lawfam/artic...
‘Fair to Us’: the use of legal myths in privately negotiated financial settlements in England and Wales
Abstract. Since the withdrawal of legal aid for private family law disputes post-LASPO (Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders), separating coup
academic.oup.com
January 13, 2026 at 12:10 PM
Interesting research on the persisting myths on fairness in divorce academic.oup.com/lawfam/artic...
Why has a Family Court judgment just been published a year after it was given, when six months ago the Court of Appeal decided it was wrong? BBC v Carer & ors; Re HMP
A heavily redacted judgment about a BBC application to the Family Court appeared on BAILII and The National Archives (TNA) in December (last month) although it had been delivered a year earlier. We can also see from the number – 421 – that this... https://transparencyproject.org.uk/?p=30232
January 13, 2026 at 11:21 AM
Why has a Family Court judgment just been published a year after it was given, when six months ago the Court of Appeal decided it was wrong? BBC v Carer & ors; Re HMP
A heavily redacted judgment about a BBC application to the Family Court appeared on BAILII and The National Archives (TNA) in December (last month) although it had been delivered a year earlier. We can also see from the number – 421 – that this... https://transparencyproject.org.uk/?p=30232
January 14, 2026 at 12:08 PM
A heavily redacted judgment about a BBC application to the Family Court appeared on BAILII and The National Archives (TNA) in December (last month) although it had been delivered a year earlier. We can also see from the number – 421 – that this... https://transparencyproject.org.uk/?p=30232
Comprehensive coverage of Sir James Munby's achievements here by @joshuarozenberg.bsky.social
Sir James Munby, former president of the High Court family division, died on New Year’s Day. He was 77.
“That he chose to spend the greater part of his career in family law was of great and long-lasting benefit," his successor Sir Andrew McFarlane said.
rozenberg.substack.com/p/sir-james-...
“That he chose to spend the greater part of his career in family law was of great and long-lasting benefit," his successor Sir Andrew McFarlane said.
rozenberg.substack.com/p/sir-james-...
Sir James Munby
Former senior family judge dies at 77
rozenberg.substack.com
January 12, 2026 at 9:14 AM
Comprehensive coverage of Sir James Munby's achievements here by @joshuarozenberg.bsky.social
Reposted by The Transparency Project
I am very sad about this. James Munby was not just clever and driven, he was also funny and kind.
We are very sad to learn of the death last week of Sir James Munby, the former President of the Family Division and an active supporter of The Transparency Project. No doubt much will be said in the next few days about Sir James' huge contribution to... https://transparencyproject.org.uk/?p=30229
January 8, 2026 at 4:08 PM
I am very sad about this. James Munby was not just clever and driven, he was also funny and kind.
We are very sad to learn of the death last week of Sir James Munby, the former President of the Family Division and an active supporter of The Transparency Project. No doubt much will be said in the next few days about Sir James' huge contribution to... https://transparencyproject.org.uk/?p=30229
January 8, 2026 at 1:41 PM
We are very sad to learn of the death last week of Sir James Munby, the former President of the Family Division and an active supporter of The Transparency Project. No doubt much will be said in the next few days about Sir James' huge contribution to... https://transparencyproject.org.uk/?p=30229
new - what do children and parents say about the Pathfinder Pilot in private law? Not as positive as you might think
The evaluation of children and families’ experiences in the first stage of the Pathfinder Pilot was published this week by the Ministry of Justice, ‘Understanding the experience of children and families’. This research covers interviews during... https://transparencyproject.org.uk/?p=30221
January 7, 2026 at 10:07 AM
new - what do children and parents say about the Pathfinder Pilot in private law? Not as positive as you might think
The evaluation of children and families’ experiences in the first stage of the Pathfinder Pilot was published this week by the Ministry of Justice, ‘Understanding the experience of children and families’. This research covers interviews during... https://transparencyproject.org.uk/?p=30221
January 7, 2026 at 9:47 AM
The evaluation of children and families’ experiences in the first stage of the Pathfinder Pilot was published this week by the Ministry of Justice, ‘Understanding the experience of children and families’. This research covers interviews during... https://transparencyproject.org.uk/?p=30221
Reposted by The Transparency Project
The Ministry of Justice should consider changing its name to the Ministry of Justice (for Certain People) if it refuses to “wake up” on the subject of legal aid, the chair of the Commons public accounts committee suggests in comments published this morning.
rozenberg.substack.com/p/justice-fo...
rozenberg.substack.com/p/justice-fo...
Justice for some
But we must all pay £4 million a year for a prison that cannot be used
rozenberg.substack.com
January 7, 2026 at 6:06 AM
The Ministry of Justice should consider changing its name to the Ministry of Justice (for Certain People) if it refuses to “wake up” on the subject of legal aid, the chair of the Commons public accounts committee suggests in comments published this morning.
rozenberg.substack.com/p/justice-fo...
rozenberg.substack.com/p/justice-fo...
Parliament is looking at legal aid committees.parliament.uk/event/25811
6 January 2026 - Access to Justice - Oral evidence - Committees - UK Parliament
14:00 - The Wilson Room, Portcullis House
committees.parliament.uk
January 7, 2026 at 8:26 AM
Parliament is looking at legal aid committees.parliament.uk/event/25811
www.bloomsburyprofessional.com/uk/domestic-... new book by Jo Delahunty & other lawyers
Domestic Abuse and the Family Justice System
Domestic Abuse and the Family Justice System: Law and Practice looks at the legal framework governing allegations of domestic abuse from Statute and Rules to pr…
www.bloomsburyprofessional.com
January 4, 2026 at 11:04 AM
www.bloomsburyprofessional.com/uk/domestic-... new book by Jo Delahunty & other lawyers
Reposted by The Transparency Project
Court lifts grandmother’s anonymity at her request | The Transparency Project share.google/d9O5JvutCxSs... now updated with Times article referring to Jade's Law (still not in force)
Court lifts grandmother’s anonymity at her request
This court judgment – [2025] EWFC 374 – has been published with two names: one is Re A (A Child) (Mother killed by Father) and the other: Linda Westcarr v G
share.google
December 30, 2025 at 1:36 PM
Court lifts grandmother’s anonymity at her request | The Transparency Project share.google/d9O5JvutCxSs... now updated with Times article referring to Jade's Law (still not in force)
On 1 January 2026. our founder and chair, Lucy Reed KC, will commence her two year term as Vice Chair of the Family Law Bar Association. Consequently, Lucy will be stepping back from her role as chair of The Transparency Project. Fellow founding... https://transparencyproject.org.uk/?p=30202
December 28, 2025 at 12:00 PM
On 1 January 2026. our founder and chair, Lucy Reed KC, will commence her two year term as Vice Chair of the Family Law Bar Association. Consequently, Lucy will be stepping back from her role as chair of The Transparency Project. Fellow founding... https://transparencyproject.org.uk/?p=30202
We wrote about this case - Court lifts grandmother’s anonymity at her request | The Transparency Project share.google/ZZOkulpxzDBB... New piece in The Times about the grandmother's battle to care for her grand daughter after the father murdered the mother www.thetimes.com/uk/law/artic...
Court lifts grandmother’s anonymity at her request
This court judgment – [2025] EWFC 374 – has been published with two names: one is Re A (A Child) (Mother killed by Father) and the other: Linda Westcarr v G
share.google
December 22, 2025 at 5:09 PM
We wrote about this case - Court lifts grandmother’s anonymity at her request | The Transparency Project share.google/ZZOkulpxzDBB... New piece in The Times about the grandmother's battle to care for her grand daughter after the father murdered the mother www.thetimes.com/uk/law/artic...
Reposted by The Transparency Project
Reposted by The Transparency Project
Reposted by The Transparency Project
helpful analysis of the problems
The only attention paid by the government to family legal aid fees over the past three decades has been has been to cut them, the barristers’ leader Barbara Mills KC said in System Overload, a new report on family legal aid published by the Bar Council.
rozenberg.substack.com/p/more-work-...
rozenberg.substack.com/p/more-work-...
More work for less pay
Family barristers say that’s the only way they can safeguard vulnerable children
rozenberg.substack.com
December 12, 2025 at 10:15 AM
helpful analysis of the problems
Reposted by The Transparency Project
Our new report into family legal aid has revealed the stark impact that underfunding is having on barristers and the justice outcomes for their clients.
Read the report ➡️ bit.ly/3KRsY5E
Read the thread to see what family barristers told us about how the erosion of fees has affected them ⬇️
Read the report ➡️ bit.ly/3KRsY5E
Read the thread to see what family barristers told us about how the erosion of fees has affected them ⬇️
December 11, 2025 at 10:56 AM
Our new report into family legal aid has revealed the stark impact that underfunding is having on barristers and the justice outcomes for their clients.
Read the report ➡️ bit.ly/3KRsY5E
Read the thread to see what family barristers told us about how the erosion of fees has affected them ⬇️
Read the report ➡️ bit.ly/3KRsY5E
Read the thread to see what family barristers told us about how the erosion of fees has affected them ⬇️
Reposted by The Transparency Project
Interesting that Radio 4 News has started appending to crime news when cases are due in court.
Tim Westwood, accused of sexual assault and rape: Jan 2027
Nick Adderley, former chief constable, accused of fraud etc: Dec 2027.
Is that new? Or am I just particularly sensitised to legal delays.
Tim Westwood, accused of sexual assault and rape: Jan 2027
Nick Adderley, former chief constable, accused of fraud etc: Dec 2027.
Is that new? Or am I just particularly sensitised to legal delays.
December 8, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Interesting that Radio 4 News has started appending to crime news when cases are due in court.
Tim Westwood, accused of sexual assault and rape: Jan 2027
Nick Adderley, former chief constable, accused of fraud etc: Dec 2027.
Is that new? Or am I just particularly sensitised to legal delays.
Tim Westwood, accused of sexual assault and rape: Jan 2027
Nick Adderley, former chief constable, accused of fraud etc: Dec 2027.
Is that new? Or am I just particularly sensitised to legal delays.