UK Government Orders Closure of Open Justice Project Helping Court Reporting

February 09, 2026 – UK –

A major legal transparency initiative that has served as a vital resource for courtroom reporting by journalists across Britain is being shut down by the UK Government, raising concerns about the future of open justice and media access to criminal courts. The platform known as Courtsdesk, which compiled magistrates’ court lists and case data to support press coverage, is being dismantled after authorities cited data protection issues, according to news reports.

Courtsdesk was launched in 2020 with backing from HM Courts & Tribunal Service (HMCTS) and approval from the then-Lord Chancellor and Justice Minister. Over the past several years, it has become an essential tool for newsrooms: more than 1,500 journalists from 39 media organisations used the platform to check court schedules, access listings, and track cases of public interest that might otherwise go unreported. The service aimed to strengthen open justice — the principle that legal proceedings should be transparent and accessible to public scrutiny, particularly through media reporting.

Government authorities now say Courtsdesk must be closed and its archived data deleted because it shared judicial listings that were not authorised under current regulations. The requirement to remove the entire archive has alarmed the platform’s founder, Enda Leahy, who said repeated attempts to engage government agencies and address concerns were ignored, leaving the project no choice but to wind down operations. Critics argue that the decision signals a lack of commitment to transparency in the criminal justice system.

Media freedom advocates warn that the closure of Courtsdesk could hinder journalists’ ability to report accurately and promptly on court proceedings. Without a centralised source of up-to-date court listings, some public interest cases risk being overlooked by news organisations, which may not receive timely or reliable notice of hearings. Journalists have long cited challenges accessing court information, including errors in official listings and limited notification of cases, problems that Courtsdesk helped to mitigate.

Supporters of open justice say transparency in legal reporting is fundamental to holding institutions accountable and ensuring fairness in the judicial process. Courtsdesk had been seen as a practical embodiment of these principles by compiling dispersed public records into a searchable database that strengthened media oversight. Its closure is already prompting debate within the legal and journalistic communities about how court reporting infrastructure will be maintained, and whether alternative resources will emerge to fill the gap left by its disappearance.

The government’s position underscores ongoing tensions over data protection, institutional control of court information, and the practical needs of media professionals tasked with covering the justice system — particularly in an era where open access to public proceedings remains a cornerstone of democratic accountability.

Reference –

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/38162815/open-justice-project-help-journalists-shut-down/