Court of Appeal to Hear Case on Naming Judges in Sara Sharif Proceedings

Journalists challenge restrictions on identifying judges involved in family court cases preceding the 10-year-old's murder.

Sara Sharif's father and stepmother were recently sentenced to life imprisonment for her murder, with her uncle receiving a 16-year sentence for his role in her death.
The Court of Appeal will consider whether judges from earlier family court proceedings can be publicly named, following a successful appeal by journalists.
Surrey County Council had raised repeated concerns about Sara's safety and alleged abuse by her parents, but these were not fully tested in court.
Sara was placed back into her parents' care multiple times despite warnings, before ultimately living with her father and stepmother, where she suffered years of abuse leading to her death in 2023.
The appeal, set for January 14, 2025, addresses significant public interest in judicial accountability and transparency in family court decisions.