Tickle v The Father & Ors [2025] EWFC 160 (09 June 2025)

No formal application was made to compel disclosure of a journalist's source; therefore, the court did not rule on the issue. The law strongly protects journalistic sources, and no order was made against any journalist in this case.

Citation: [2025] EWFC 160
Parties: Applicant: Louise Tickle; First Respondent: The Father; Second Respondent: The Mother; Third Respondent: The Child (via their Children's Guardian)
Jurisdiction: England and Wales
Judgment Date: 09 June 2025
Procedural Posture: Family Court Private Law / Post Fact Finding Judgment on Discrete Reporting Issue
Outcome: No order made; no application for source disclosure was pursued or ruled upon.
Legal Topics: Protection of Journalistic Sources, Reporting Restrictions, Article 10 ECHR, Article 6 ECHR, Press Freedom

Family Law Media Law Human Rights Protection of Journalistic Sources Reporting Restrictions Article 10 ECHR Article 6 ECHR Press Freedom

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Parties

Louise Tickle

Applicant

The Father

First Respondent

The Mother

Second Respondent

The Child (via their Children's Guardian)

Third Respondent

Procedural Posture

Family Court Private Law / Post Fact Finding Judgment on Discrete Reporting Issue

Legal Issues

1 Whether a journalist can be compelled to disclose their source in family proceedings
2 Whether any application was made to require such disclosure
3 Whether the court should issue guidance or a ruling on the issue

Ratio Decidendi

Court Disposition

No order made; no application for source disclosure was pursued or ruled upon.