Dr Carol Coulter

The Family Law Reporting Project aims to enhance transparency for the public about private family law proceedings and build confidence in the judicial determination of private family law disputes, while continuing to ensure the privacy of those proceedings for children and families.

The Child Law Project, which Dr Coulter leads as executive director, has been awarded the tender for delivery of the new service by the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration.

Dr Coulter is a former legal affairs editor of The Irish Times and established a pilot project on family law reporting for the Courts Service in 2006/7.

Justice, home affairs and migration minister Jim O’Callaghan said: “I am pleased that my department has awarded a tender for private family law reporting to the Child Law Project, under the leadership of Dr Carol Coulter.

“As a department, our aim is to create a family justice system that works better for everyone engaging with it, but particularly for those who need additional supports and protections, such as those affected by domestic violence or vulnerable parents and children.

“Currently there is no comprehensive system in Ireland for regularly and systematically reporting on private family law proceedings. Establishing such a reporting system is a hugely significant initiative under the family justice strategy.

“I am confident this project will serve to further promote transparency and fairness in how family law proceedings are conducted. I also expect that it will produce key information for my department to support the ongoing development of family justice policy and legislation.”