Sir, - Mr Gerry Curran of the Courts Service (January 22nd) referred to a pilot project to record and publish judgements in family law cases. Could he clarify that this will happen only where both parties and the presiding judge agree to a court recorder being present? In such circumstances, it is evident that judgements on contentious matters will continue to avoid public scrutiny.
The balance between public scrutiny and family privacy is essential to maintain public confidence in the fair administration of justice in the family law courts. Such a balance is well established in criminal rape trials but has so far eluded the family courts.
Such public scrutiny is considered fundamental to the protection of fundamental human rights. Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights states that in all cases "judgment shall be pronounced publicly". Why is that not happening in Ireland? - Yours, etc.,
Samuel Carroll, Foxwood, Swords, Co Dublin.