Lib Dems support opening up family law courts

12.00.00am GMT Mon 14th Nov 2005

Liberal Democrats on Essex County Council have pledged their support to a parliamentary motion that seeks to remove the 'veil of secrecy' from family legal proceedings.

Councillor Tom Smith-Hughes, Liberal Democrats leader at Essex County Council said:

"It is vitally important that the public has confidence in our legal services and especially those involving children. It is difficult to maintain this trust when decisions are made behind closed doors - justice must be seen to be done.

There is an unnecessary clandestine aura surrounding family courts. Liberal Democrats fully subscribe to decisions being made in the best interests of the child and of preserving the anonymity of children. However, it is in the interests of the whole community that decisions involving the family arrangements of vulnerable children, and the reasons behind those decisions, are made as transparently as possible."

The motion is Early Day Motion No 869 entitled Working of the Children Act 2004, proposed by Eric Pickles MP. Over 120 MPs have signed the motion so far, including Bob Russell, Essex's Liberal Democrat MP. The full text of the EDM is as follows:

"That this House urges the Government to remove the veil of secrecy from the workings of the Children Act 2004; considers that the closed door policy of the family courts breeds suspicion and a culture of secrecy which does nothing to instill confidence in those using them, which affects not just the courts but the social services departments of local authorities; and believes that it is possible to preserve the anonymity of children involved in the proceedings without the cumbersome rules which obstruct parents from receiving advice and support, which in particular works to the disadvantage of parents with special learning difficulties."