The confidential world of family courts, where decisions are taken which can remove children from their parents or resolve custody battles, is to be opened to the public.
Kingstonians are invited to an open day at the court in Richmond Magistrates’ Court, Parkshot, to take part in mock hearings about contact and domestic abuse and a question and answer panel.
They will also be able to meet professionals from the agencies involved with the family courts, including lawyers, children’s guardians, representatives of Families need Fathers, experts who test for drugs by examining hair strands and police child protection team members.
The courts have been open to the media, subject to restrictions on anonymity, since April, after a campaign argued that secrecy was leading to miscarriages of justice.
Pam Ullstein, chairman of the Greater London Family Panel, said: “Most people do not come into contact with the family justice system so an air of mystery surrounds it.
“Family courts are not secret courts, but in many cases there is a need for confidentiality to protect the family and ensure the welfare of the child.
“We want to help increase public confidence in the family court system by inviting local people in to see what really happens and how we serve the community.”
The open day will take place on Saturday, October 10, from 10am to 4pm.
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