Family courts secrecy gags families

Camden New Journal

06 September 2007

WELL done Trevor Jones and parentsagainstinjustice for his Forum article (An urgent need to abolish secrecy in the family courts, August 16) which explains the very nature of this inhuman system in the way it treats our families and children in total secrecy and with impunity.

Concerning miscarriages of justice, parents prosecuted in the family courts and who were acquitted or had cases dismissed, or were awarded costs against the local authority, could disclose all their papers to the press.

Current laws prevent anyone who feels they have been unjustly treated from complaining publicly. No parent or family member claiming that they have suffered an injustice should be restrained by secrecy rules from making public their own names or any details of family court proceedings.

Unless there is a genuine intention to come clean and admit that the purpose of secrecy is to protect the social workers, paediatricians and other expert witnesses, utterances of “transparency” will be seen for what they are: “spin”.

It is quite absurd that officials can accuse parents and children, and then, in a secret court, gain further anonymity, while simultaneously being handsomely paid by the state for every aspect of their court appearance and their reports.

Layton Bevan
Families and Social Services Information Team
www.fassit.co.uk
contact@fassit.co.uk

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