Baroness Faithfulasked Her Majesty's Government:
What steps they intend to take in respect of those persons who may attend family proceedings and what may be disclosed publicly about such proceedings?
§ The Lord ChancellorThe present law has grown up piecemeal and is fragmented with different rules applying in different types of court and proceedings. As part of the Government's review of the family justice system, I have put in hand a review of the current law and practice in respect of access to and reporting of family proceedings. As a first step, a group of officials advised by Professor Brenda Hoggett has been set up under the auspices of the Family Law and Administration Working Party. Its purpose is to analyse the present law and practice and to identify existing inconsistencies, the options for change and the issues involved in any reform. The Government will use the results of the group's work as the basis for wide ranging consultations with all those interested, including the judiciary and the media, before reaching any conclusions about what reform might be desirable.