SUSSEX fathers' rights campaigners have welcomed a change in the law which will see family courts opened to the media.
From Monday (April 27) family court hearings, which include divorce and custody battles, will be open to accredited reporters.
Courts will have discretion to restrict attendance, or restrict what can be reported, for child welfare reasons or to protect witnesses.
Campaign group New Fathers 4 Justice say the change is a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done to make the courts transparent and accountable.
A New Fathers 4 Justice Sussex spokesman commented: "We still have a long way to go.
"We do welcome the new change, but are fighting to get to fully open courts, where the judge has no option but to let in the media.
"These cases need exposing, and the injustice can stop as they will then be held accountable for their actions.
"We want to make people aware of this so they know they can now invite the media to court with them.
"Thousands of dads, grandparents etc have been stripped of their children for no reason by this system for years.
"In this supposed world of equality this needs to end now."
New Fathers 4 Justice also want the law to change so that, when parents separate, there is a presumption that they will have equal contact rights.
They say thousands of children suffer when one parent, usually the father, is cut out of their lives without good reason.
For more information on the group, visit www.newfathers4justice.com/nf4j
Courts will have discretion to restrict attendance, or restrict what can be reported, for child welfare reasons or to protect witnesses.
Campaign group New Fathers 4 Justice say the change is a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done to make the courts transparent and accountable.
A New Fathers 4 Justice Sussex spokesman commented: "We still have a long way to go.
"We do welcome the new change, but are fighting to get to fully open courts, where the judge has no option but to let in the media.
"These cases need exposing, and the injustice can stop as they will then be held accountable for their actions.
"We want to make people aware of this so they know they can now invite the media to court with them.
"Thousands of dads, grandparents etc have been stripped of their children for no reason by this system for years.
"In this supposed world of equality this needs to end now."
New Fathers 4 Justice also want the law to change so that, when parents separate, there is a presumption that they will have equal contact rights.
They say thousands of children suffer when one parent, usually the father, is cut out of their lives without good reason.
For more information on the group, visit www.newfathers4justice.com/nf4j
The full article contains 269 words and appears in Sussex Express Series newspaper.
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- Last Updated: 24 April 2009 1:55 PM
- Source: Sussex Express Series
- Location: Lewes
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