Media Challenges Anonymity of Judges in Sara Sharif Case

Court of Appeal to hear arguments on whether judges involved in historic rulings should remain unnamed, following Sara Sharif's tragic murder.

The Court of Appeal will hear a media-led challenge on January 14-15 against a ruling that granted anonymity to judges involved in Sara Sharif's family court proceedings.
Sara Sharif, a 10-year-old girl, was murdered in 2023 by her father, Urfan Sharif, and stepmother, Beinash Batool, who were sentenced to life imprisonment earlier this month.
Surrey County Council had repeatedly raised concerns about potential abuse in Sara's home, but family court rulings allowed her to remain in her parents' care.
Justice Williams defended the anonymity decision, citing risks of online harassment and asserting that professionals acted within legal and procedural boundaries at the time.
Media organizations argue that the anonymity ruling undermines accountability and open justice, potentially setting a concerning precedent for future cases.