Barrister Lucy Reed on opening up the secretive family courts episode artwork

EPISODE · Feb 24, 2025 · 1H 7M

Barrister Lucy Reed on opening up the secretive family courts

from Bristol Unpacked · host The Bristol Cable

Lucy Reed is a barrister in the family courts, where separating couples hammer out child custody arrangements and where, in one of the most severe decisions the state can take, orders are made to take children into care, separating them from their families. On 27 January, journalists were for the first time allowed, with some restrictions, to report from any family court across England and Wales. Why is this a big deal? And with the system under pressure, why do so many kids get taken into care, and what needs to change?Lucy's blog Pink TapeFamily Court Information

Lucy Reed is a barrister in the family courts, where separating couples hammer out child custody arrangements and where, in one of the most severe decisions the state can take, orders are made to take children into care, separating them from their families. On 27 January, journalists were for the first time allowed, with some restrictions, to report from any family court across England and Wales. Why is this a big deal? And with the system under pressure, why do so many kids get taken into care, and what needs to change?Lucy's blog Pink TapeFamily Court Information

NOW PLAYING

Barrister Lucy Reed on opening up the secretive family courts

0:00 1:07:38

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

Story Slam Story Slam Bristol Story Slam Bristol is proud to present our incredible live event in podcast form. Each month you'll hear true stories told by our live theatre audience. Each event has a different theme, and the stories can range from the hilarious and uplifting, to the tragic and heartbreaking. You never quite know what you’re going to hear at Story Slam, so come join us for a raw glimpse into the lives of the people around us, through the beautiful art of storytelling. Explicit KAREN: THE RETRIAL Law&Crime | Wondery In Season 1 of KAREN, we unpacked the explosive case of Karen Read, accused of killing her boyfriend, Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe, with her SUV. After the first trial ended in a hung jury, the high-stakes case of Karen Read returns to court—and the pressure has never been greater. In KAREN: THE RETRIAL, we return to the courtroom—where the stakes are higher, the drama is deeper, and the fight for truth is far from over.KAREN: THE RETRIAL isn’t just about the verdict—it’s about power, perception, and who gets to write the story. Investigative Reporter Kristin Thorne is embedded at the heart of the action, bringing exclusive interviews, expert analysis, and real-time reporting from inside the courtroom.With new prosecutors, a relentless defense, and a public obsessed with every twist, we ask: Is Karen Read the victim of a malicious prosecution—or is there finally enough evidence to convict? And in a trial tried as Explicit UnPacked - A Green Bay Packers Podcast UnPacked A UK and USA-based (see: transatlantic adj.) podcast where four Packers fanatics discuss everything about their beloved 13-time World Champion Green Bay Packers! Explicit Reset with Ash Cam Ash Cam The questions from your girl group chats, unpacked with industry experts - for women navigating life, work and wellbeing.Hosted by Ash Cam, Reset explores the exciting (and sometimes messy) seasons of life through honest conversations about careers, psychology, relationships, money and life transitions - designed to help you pause, clear the noise and step into your next season with confidence.A top 10% podcast on Spotify, listened to in 50+ countries.New episodes weekly.Welcome to Reset x Explicit

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Bristol Unpacked?

This episode is 1 hour and 7 minutes long.

When was this Bristol Unpacked episode published?

This episode was published on February 24, 2025.

What is this episode about?

Lucy Reed is a barrister in the family courts, where separating couples hammer out child custody arrangements and where, in one of the most severe decisions the state can take, orders are made to take children into care, separating them from their...

Can I download this Bristol Unpacked episode?

Yes, you can download this episode by clicking the download button on the episode player, or subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app for automatic downloads.
URL copied to clipboard!