Secret family courts aren’t healthy

The UK’s top judge says family courts should not be held in secret.

Sir Andrew McFarlane is President of the Family Division. He launched the Family Courts Transparency Report. That means letting the public know more about what happens.

Family courts make major decisions about children’s lives. He told BBC’s Today program that the courts have a heavy workload. But transparency would help gain better trust. Reports would not name any actual family.

But Sir Andrew makes ‘upstream’ help for separated families his top priority. Early support for them and their kids is far better than going to court.