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Family law courts 'could face greater public scrutiny' |
The justice secretary Jack Straw has unveiled new plans to relax rules concerning media coverage of family court cases.
Under the planned reforms announced, expert witness reports containing the details of child abuse allegations could be published, while other child-related issues including adoptions could also be opened up to greater public scrutiny.
The changes to the rules concerning media reporting from family law courts represent the latest step in the government's efforts to make such cases more transparent, with an independent committee, to be headed by Sir Mark Potter, set to be established to ensure that the media is able to present the substance of child abuse cases while simultaneously protecting the identities of all the parties involved.
Explaining the reasoning behind his proposals, Mr Straw told the Times that the first change took place in April when the media were allowed into courts.
He added: "The second change relates to the concerns that have been expressed that although journalists can report the gist of proceedings they cannot report the substance without being in contempt of court."
According to government figures recently cited by the Observer, 70 per cent of children coming before family courts do so because their parent or parents has a serious drink or drugs problem.
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