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Call for press access to family courts

The press should be allowed into courts deciding who gains custody of children.

Sir Mark Potter, president of the Family Division of the High Court, said such a move would dispel the criticism of “secret justice”, Media Lawyer reports.

Some private hearings which divided assets up between divorcing couples could also be opened up to the media at the judge’s discretion, he said.

Sir Mark added: “It is my firm belief that when people see these cases in action, and the extreme care with which they are dealt – and the fact that so much of what is said comes from interested and disgruntled parties not reporting the matter objectively – it can do nothing but good for the system.”

The comments, in an interview with The Times, come on the back of Justice Secretary Jack Straw’s speech at the Labour Party conference last month.

Mr Straw hinted at reform, saying: “In the very sensitive area of the family courts, I think we can shed more light whilst preserving the imperative of the welfare of the child.”

Any reforms are most likely to maintain the rules protecting the identities of children being dealt with by courts.

A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: “Last year, we consulted on improving the openness of family courts.

“We will publish our response once we have fully considered the findings.

“This is an important and complex area of policy about which people have strong views. We must ensure we get it right.”