Family law project publishes 103 anonymised reports

The Family Law Reporting Project has released 103 anonymised reports detailing private family law proceedings that took place between March and June 2026. The initiative, led by Dr Carol Coulter and overseen by the Department of Justice, aims to increase transparency in family law cases while ensuring the privacy of those involved. The reports cover cases heard in District Court, Circuit Court, and High Court, with a total of 42 cases observed in District Court, 54 in Circuit Court, and seven in High Court.

One District Court case involved grandparents seeking guardianship of their grandchildren, who had been residing with them for several years. The grandparents' solicitor explained that the father of the children consented to the grandparents taking guardianship, although the Child and Family Agency (CFA) had also consented but had not provided a letter of consent. The judge decided to issue the order but required a letter of consent from the CFA before finalizing it.

In another case, Dublin District Court granted a safety order for two years to a mother who claimed her child's father had physically assaulted both her and their child. The judge heard evidence of the assaults and also considered whether the father had breached an earlier protection order. Although the father denied the allegations and claimed the mother was lying, the judge still granted the safety order for two years.

The Family Law Reporting Project, which will continue for three years, covers a wide range of issues from domestic violence applications in District Court to financial disputes subject to appeal in High Court. The reports provide a representative sample of family law cases, demonstrating the workings of the family law courts and helping to dispel misconceptions about the legal system.