Led by Dr Carol Coulter, the Family Law Reporting Project aims to increase public understanding of family law proceedings by providing anonymised reports on a representative sample of family law cases, ensuring the privacy of families is upheld.

The first volume of case reports contains 103 anonymised reports from family law proceedings in the District, Circuit and High Court.

On the publication of the first volume of reports, minister O’Callaghan said: “The family law courts provide an essential service, and it is important that the public understands how they work, while protecting the privacy of those involved. Through the Family Justice Strategy, I am committed to promoting transparency and a greater understanding of the family justice system. We must increase awareness and understanding of family law proceedings to build public confidence and trust in the judicial determination of such disputes.

“The reports published today are an important step forward, providing valuable insight into family law cases in an anonymised way. I want to thank Dr Carol Coulter for her leadership of this important project.”

Dr Carol Coulter, the director of the Family Law Reporting Project said: “Decisions made in family law cases can have a profound and life-long impact, particularly on children. Yet what happens in the family law courts is largely unknown, and what does get into the public domain usually relates to high conflict cases. I hope that the Family Law Reporting Project will bring transparency to these courts and also help dispel the fears and misapprehensions many people have, as well as informing a discussion on what further reforms of the family law system may be needed.

“The reports published today range from domestic violence applications in the District Court to financial disputes subject to appeal in the High Court. They demonstrate the workings of the family law courts across a range of issues and also show that in many cases conflicts are resolved and agreements reached.”

The Family Law Reporting Project was commissioned by minister O’Callaghan under the Family Justice Strategy. Previously, there was no comprehensive system in Ireland for regularly and systematically reporting on private family law proceedings. Establishing the Family Law Reporting Project is a significant step in addressing this gap and improving public understanding of the family justice system, while ensuring the privacy of families is upheld.