In a case that raised questions about the public “right to know” and how courts should adapt to the realities of social media, Sir James Munby refused to “gag” a father so that “what from the local authority’s perspective are his unpalatable views are less likely to see the light of day”.

In Re J (A Child), Staffordshire County Council applied for an injunction against a father whose child had been removed by Social Services against his will. The father had posted material about the social workers involved on the internet, including names, photographs and footage of the moment when the child was taken away.

Sir James refused to grant an injunction “because of the manner or style in which the material is being presented on the internet, nor to spare the blushes of those being attacked, however abusive and unjustified those attacks may be.”

The only justification would be to protect J’s privacy and anonymity, said Sir James, but the risk of that happening through the naming of the local authority or social workers was “fanciful”.

Sir James, who became President of the Family Division in January, issued draft practice guidance in July on the publication of judgments in family courts and the Court of Protection. He clarified that in this case, “the arguments in favour of publicity – in favour of openness, public scrutiny and public accountability – are particularly compelling.”

Also tasked with reducing delays, he is bringing in reforms that create a single family court, new rules restricting expert evidence and a 26-week time limit for care proceedings. “The current delays are scandalous and unacceptable,” said Sir James in an interview for Counsel (see p 14). “These are things that are going to happen,” and family justice professionals must “get on board and understand that,” he stated.