Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask His Majesty's Government, following the decision of the Supreme Court in Abbasi and another v Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust [2025] [UKSC 15] on 16 April, what discussions they have had with the Lady Chief Justice of England and Wales and other senior jurists about the use of lifelong anonymity orders and gagging orders in the Family Court under Article 8 of the European Convention of Human Rights.

The Government extends its deepest sympathies to parents and families affected by these difficult circumstances.

At this stage, no formal discussions have taken place with the Lady Chief Justice or other senior jurists. While we will not comment on decisions made by the independent judiciary, we accept the need for greater transparency in family courts while also – where appropriate - protecting the identities of the children and families involved.