Journalists will be allowed to report on family court cases across England and Wales after a successful pilot scheme.

Reporters can request a transparency order in all such courts to allow them to report what they see and hear.

They will also be able to access key documents and speak to families on condition of anonymity.

It comes after a 12-month pilot scheme was started in Leeds, Cardiff and Carlisle last year.

Hearings at Liverpool, Manchester, West Yorkshire, Kingston-upon-Hull, Nottingham, Stoke, Derby, Birmingham, the Central Family Court, East London, West London, Dorset, Truro, Luton, Guildford and Milton Keynes were subsequently made subject to the same trial.

The extension to all courts in England and Wales has been approved by the Ministry of Justice, and will come into force on 27 January 2025.

Louise Tickle, pictured, who has campaigned for years to increase coverage of family court, previously urged regional editors to give their reporters time to cover Family Court cases after the pilot scheme was extended.