Family judge stands against media scrutiny

A family judge who made decisions in a particular case based on what appeared to be personal prejudice rather than the law has been exposed in a published transcript of a case that was heard behind closed doors in a Manchester family court. After questioning the motivations of the media in general and then the professionalism of a freelance journalist trying to exercise her right to attend the hearing, circuit judge Mark Haigh made plain his opposition to efforts by the country’s top family judge to increase outside scrutiny of family court proceedings. “If you want to know my view on the transparency project, it is not supportive,” the judge said. “I think we are failing children by putting all this stuff on the internet, and I am very unconvinced about the motives of some of the journalists. Do not forget what they do. They sell copy. They have careers to pursue.” Family cases are heard in private, but accredited media have been allowed to observe since 2009. The transcript of the hearing was secured by Tortoise reporter Louise Tickle, whose high court application to be able to publish it in full was granted last week.