Legal experts warn new family law draft threatens parental rights and court transparency
A draft amendment to family law introducing “case conferences” without parents present is being criticized as unconstitutional by lawyer Klára Radková.
The Justice Ministry is preparing a family-law amendment that creates “case conferences” where judges can consult specialists without the presence of parents or their attorneys. Proposed participants include staff from the social-legal child protection authority, medical professionals, therapists and police, who could share sensitive family information, potentially overriding confidentiality obligations. Lawyer Klára Radková claims the draft violates constitutional principles of oral and public hearings, equal party rights and the ability to address evidence, rendering it unconstitutional.
The ministry replies that any conference report will become part of the case file, that parents may comment on it, and that higher-court audio recordings will ensure oversight. Supporters in the Senate argue the measure protects victims of domestic violence, while critics warn it could obscure judicial accountability.
Why it matters
The proposal could reshape how Czech courts handle family disputes, affecting parental participation and transparency.
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