A pilot project designed to allow wider media reporting of the family courts is to be extended to 16 new towns and cities.

Previously journalists were allowed to attend Family Court cases but had to seek the permission of the court to report on it.

However the pilot project – which started in Leeds, Cardiff and Carlisle last year – introduced the presumption that journalists can report on cases subject to the anonymity of those involved being maintained.

From 29 January, the project will be extended to courts in Liverpool, Manchester, West Yorkshire, Kingston-upon-Hull, Nottingham, Stoke, Derby, Birmingham, the Central Family Court, East London, West London, Dorset, Truro, Luton, Guildford and Milton Keynes.

President of the Family Division Sir Andrew McFarlane said: “Extending the reporting pilot to family courts across the country is a huge step in the judiciary’s ongoing work to increase transparency and improve public confidence and understanding of the family justice system.

“After a pioneering year of reporting from Leeds, Cardiff and Carlisle journalists and legal bloggers will be allowed to report from a further sixteen courts.

“We hope that in extending the pilot further we can continue to understand the impact that family court reporting has.

“I would like to urge the media to read the guidance and come to the family courts to see the vital and challenging work that is done there, and to report on the cases and issues that are so important.”

Both the Society of Editors and the News Media Association have warmly welcomed the planned expansion.

SoE executive director Dawn Alford said: “The Society has long supported greater transparency in the Family Courts so the expansion of the pilot is a welcome step to achieving both greater public confidence and understanding of how such often life-changing decisions are made.”

The NMA said in a post on X: “The NMA worked closely on the launch of this program and is pleased that it will boost greater public scrutiny and transparency in our legal system.”

An online training session for the media will be held on Tuesday 23 January at 5pm. Anyone wishing to attend should email [email protected] for details.