Those who aren’t party to proceedings are not entitled to any of the court documentation as proceedings in the High Court and County Court are still characterized as private. The media is also at risk of being in contempt of court if it publishes private information. The upshot is that whilst the press can attend, there are rules on what information can be reported.
In all cases reporting restrictions will apply to protect the anonymity of children and the media will have to ask for permission to report. But this new transparency does present issues for those already in the public eye and if you are concerned about it you should contact your solicitor.
The court does have a wide discretion to exclude the media at any point during proceedings if it is in the interests of protecting a child or for the safety or protection of a party or witness (or even someone connected to such people). The court can also exclude the media to ensure the “orderly conduct of proceedings”; or because justice would otherwise be prejudiced, for example, if a witness is likely to give somewhat less than full and frank evidence if they are under the watchful eye of the press.
Laura Brodie