The court was told how the girl had begun self-harming and threatening to take her own life. We heard how she was “deeply unhappy”, and that neither parent wanted her to remain at home. District judge Bell made an interim care order so she can stay in her current placement and a final care plan can be drawn up.
As a reporter in unfamiliar surroundings, I felt fortunate to be assisted by the court staff, solicitors and judges. All seemed keen to help and interested in hearing about the reporting pilot. That some journalists had reported from Leeds family court since the pilot began had helped.
I would advise journalists wanting to cover family court hearings to contact the court beforehand because this made things run smoothly on the day. Explain the types of cases you’d like to cover, such as final hearings or interim case management hearings. When at court, be sure to request transparency orders in relation to the cases you are sitting in to allow you to report on them.
My experience was fascinating. I hope this would have also been the case had I attended court unannounced. Highlighting these cases is vital because they take place day in, day out, in courts up and down the country, and until this year, with the introduction of the pilot, we’ve not been able to shine a light on this important area of court business.
* Names have been changed to protect identities
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