In a move to boost public confidence from 27th April the media have been granted family court access.
Before this the public and the media have not been allowed to court in order to protect families, particularly children.
Justice Secretary Jack Straw said the move was a step towards a new culture of "greater openness" in all courts.
Family courts make decisions, such as whether children should be taken into care or put up for adoption, or given contact with parents who are divorcing. They also decide on custody and how finances should be split.
However, there have been claims that the secrecy of the hearings has led to injustices, with some children taken wrongly into care.
Judith Middleton, Partner at Latimer Hinks and Regional Spokesperson for Resolution has warned that the new rules, rushed in by the government, represent a missed opportunity to allow thorough and effective public scrutiny.
Judith believes that new rules won't create an open, transparent system
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