Toby Atkinson speaks to the Times about the issue of privacy within the family courts, and whether financial settlements within divorce hearings should be kept private.

Decision regarding a party’s right to privacy within the family courts as appeal judges lift anonymity order

Toby Atkinson speaks to the Times about the issue of privacy within the family courts, and whether financial settlements within divorce hearings should be kept private.

A divorcee fighting her former husband for a bigger payout sought to prevent press coverage of the case, arguing that it was “quintessentially private business”. She lost her appeal, with the judges lifting an order protecting her identity. Judgment is awaited, and it is hoped that the Court of Appeal will issue clear guidance in respect of this hotly debated area of family law.

Toby Atkinson, a partner at Stewarts, said:

“With diametrically opposed views on privacy at the top of the family court judiciary, it is currently a complete lottery whether privacy or press freedom will be the order of the day in any given case. Most divorcing couples can do without the added anxiety of not knowing whether details of their private family disputes and finances will be laid bare in open court for all to see.”

Read the full story of the anonymity order being lifted (Subscription required) – Ex-wife fighting for more money loses right to hide her name

Read the initial article featuring Toby in the Times (Subscription required) – Wife leads fight to keep divorce hearings secret.

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