Martin Newbold’s The Stealing of Emily is an eye-opening exploration into the murky and often inaccessible world of family law. With this series, Newbold unravels the personal and systemic injustices that families face within a legal system that too often falls short of protecting the vulnerable. Driven by his own harrowing experiences, Newbold uses The Stealing of Emily to reveal the deep-rooted issues within child welfare systems, the family court system, and the bureaucratic mechanisms that claim to uphold justice and transparency. This series is both a personal testament to resilience and a universal call for reform in a system that, in Newbold’s words, “steals not only children but the rights and voices of their families.”

Newbold’s story begins with the tragedy of losing access to his daughter, Emily, due to a series of judicial and bureaucratic decisions that placed her welfare in the hands of a system that, he argues, has been failing for years. What began as a personal struggle for reunification has evolved into an exhaustive investigation of the practices, philosophies, and policies within the family law system. From complex custody battles to the procedures of Closed Material Procedures (CMPs), The Stealing of Emily shines a light on how these institutional frameworks can, in fact, undermine the very protections they are meant to enforce.

A Complex Landscape of Policy and Financial Constraints

With the recent Autumn Budget of 2024, The Stealing of Emily addresses the implications of increased employer National Insurance Contributions (NICs) and how they exacerbate existing financial strain on organizations that provide care services across Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The budget aims to offer some relief by exempting smaller employers from this increase, but for larger care providers—who shoulder the bulk of caring for vulnerable children and adults—the increased costs threaten to destabilize already precarious budgets.

In Northern Ireland specifically, Newbold highlights the failure of child welfare systems, which for more than a decade have struggled under budget constraints and administrative disconnects. This dysfunction is compounded by bureaucratic limitations, such as NiDirect’s restrictions on transferring sensitive information under GDPR. These obstacles prevent timely and effective responses to children at risk, leaving the welfare of countless individuals in limbo. Newbold argues that these budgetary decisions, combined with a lack of interagency cooperation, create a dangerous environment where children in care are at further risk due to resource scarcity and administrative bottlenecks.

Unveiling Corruption and Injustice in Family Law Leadership

The series takes an unflinching look at key figures in the administration of family and child welfare systems, spotlighting individuals whose actions and policies have had lasting, negative impacts. Among these figures is Matthew Dunkley, a former executive in both the UK and Australian child services systems. Dunkley’s tenure has been marred by controversy, with allegations of document destruction, cover-ups, and financial mismanagement that continue to haunt the organizations he has led.

In 2016, Dunkley faced a suspension and subsequent anti-corruption investigation by the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) in Australia. This investigation, known as Operation Dunham, found troubling evidence of financial misappropriation and improper behavior within the Department of Education’s Ultranet project. Dunkley’s involvement in this scandal was further revealed through wiretapped conversations with a former colleague, John Allman, who admitted to destroying financial documents relevant to the investigation. Despite this, Dunkley returned to the UK, where he was appointed to new roles within children’s services, sparking concerns over the apparent recycling of officials with problematic histories into influential positions.

Newbold uses Dunkley’s story to illustrate a larger pattern of negligence and unaccountability within family law and child welfare leadership. By examining these cases, The Stealing of Emily underscores how the culture of impunity in high-level administration continues to endanger children and erode public trust. The series serves as a powerful reminder of the need for stricter oversight, transparency, and accountability in the individuals responsible for safeguarding society’s most vulnerable members.

Closed Material Procedures and the Opaque World of ‘Secret Courts’

One of the most controversial aspects explored in The Stealing of Emily is the use of Closed Material Procedures (CMPs), commonly known as “secret courts.” CMPs allow for evidence to be presented in private, often preventing the public, and even families involved, from fully understanding the rationale behind court decisions. This secrecy effectively denies those impacted the right to a fair and transparent legal process.

Newbold passionately argues that CMPs not only violate the basic tenets of justice but also serve as a means to protect powerful institutions from scrutiny. The secrecy surrounding these proceedings creates a system where parents, like Newbold himself, are often left in the dark, struggling to understand and challenge decisions made about their own children. Through case studies and personal anecdotes, The Stealing of Emily exposes the emotional and psychological toll that CMPs inflict on families, especially in cases where children are separated from their parents without adequate explanation or recourse. This lack of transparency, Newbold contends, erodes public trust in the legal system and raises profound ethical questions about the balance between privacy, accountability, and justice.

A Growing Call for Reform and Advocacy for Change

Beyond his own case, Newbold has dedicated The Stealing of Emily to advocating for widespread reform in the family law system. Through public speeches, interviews, and online resources, he emphasizes the need for legal reforms that prioritize child welfare and respect the rights of families. The series calls for the abolition of CMPs in family law, stricter oversight of court-appointed guardians and child services, and a shift toward transparency and accountability within the judicial system.

The Stealing of Emily series has resonated with thousands, sparking discussions among policymakers, legal professionals, and families affected by similar issues. By sharing his story and the stories of others caught in the system, Newbold hopes to foster a movement that will lead to a more just, compassionate, and accountable family law system. His work has become a rallying cry for those demanding change, and it has drawn attention to the often-overlooked realities faced by families in family court.

Where to Learn More

For those interested in exploring these themes further, The Stealing of Emily offers an extensive collection of resources on its official website, including updates on ongoing legal battles, resources for families navigating the court system, and detailed analysis on policies affecting child welfare. Readers can access detailed case studies, legal insights, and advocacy guides, making the series not only a chronicle of personal resilience but also a valuable tool for others confronting the family law system.

The Stealing of Emily is more than a book series; it is a movement aimed at bringing about much-needed reform. Martin Newbold invites readers, policymakers, and advocates to join him in demanding a family law system that is transparent, accountable, and ultimately just for all involved. Through his powerful storytelling and relentless pursuit of justice, Newbold continues to shed light on the hidden injustices within family law, holding those in power accountable and giving voice to the families affected by this complex and often opaque system.

The Stealing of Emily: Exposing the Hidden Realities of Family Law and the Quest for Justice

Martin Newbold’s The Stealing of Emily is an eye-opening exploration into the murky and often inaccessible world of family law. With this series, Newbold unravels the personal and systemic injustices that families face within a legal system that too often falls short of protecting the vulnerable. Driven by his own harrowing experiences, Newbold uses The Stealing of Emily to reveal the deep-rooted issues within child welfare systems, the family court system, and the bureaucratic mechanisms that claim to uphold justice and transparency. This series is both a personal testament to resilience and a universal call for reform in a system that, in Newbold’s words, “steals not only children but the rights and voices of their families.”

Newbold’s story begins with the tragedy of losing access to his daughter, Emily, due to a series of judicial and bureaucratic decisions that placed her welfare in the hands of a system that, he argues, has been failing for years. What began as a personal struggle for reunification has evolved into an exhaustive investigation of the practices, philosophies, and policies within the family law system. From complex custody battles to the procedures of Closed Material Procedures (CMPs), The Stealing of Emily shines a light on how these institutional frameworks can, in fact, undermine the very protections they are meant to enforce.

A Complex Landscape of Policy and Financial Constraints

With the recent Autumn Budget of 2024, The Stealing of Emily addresses the implications of increased employer National Insurance Contributions (NICs) and how they exacerbate existing financial strain on organizations that provide care services across Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The budget aims to offer some relief by exempting smaller employers from this increase, but for larger care providers—who shoulder the bulk of caring for vulnerable children and adults—the increased costs threaten to destabilize already precarious budgets.

In Northern Ireland specifically, Newbold highlights the failure of child welfare systems, which for more than a decade have struggled under budget constraints and administrative disconnects. This dysfunction is compounded by bureaucratic limitations, such as NiDirect’s restrictions on transferring sensitive information under GDPR. These obstacles prevent timely and effective responses to children at risk, leaving the welfare of countless individuals in limbo. Newbold argues that these budgetary decisions, combined with a lack of interagency cooperation, create a dangerous environment where children in care are at further risk due to resource scarcity and administrative bottlenecks.

Unveiling Corruption and Injustice in Family Law Leadership

The series takes an unflinching look at key figures in the administration of family and child welfare systems, spotlighting individuals whose actions and policies have had lasting, negative impacts. Among these figures is Matthew Dunkley, a former executive in both the UK and Australian child services systems. Dunkley’s tenure has been marred by controversy, with allegations of document destruction, cover-ups, and financial mismanagement that continue to haunt the organizations he has led.

In 2016, Dunkley faced a suspension and subsequent anti-corruption investigation by the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) in Australia. This investigation, known as Operation Dunham, found troubling evidence of financial misappropriation and improper behavior within the Department of Education’s Ultranet project. Dunkley’s involvement in this scandal was further revealed through wiretapped conversations with a former colleague, John Allman, who admitted to destroying financial documents relevant to the investigation. Despite this, Dunkley returned to the UK, where he was appointed to new roles within children’s services, sparking concerns over the apparent recycling of officials with problematic histories into influential positions.

Newbold uses Dunkley’s story to illustrate a larger pattern of negligence and unaccountability within family law and child welfare leadership. By examining these cases, The Stealing of Emily underscores how the culture of impunity in high-level administration continues to endanger children and erode public trust. The series serves as a powerful reminder of the need for stricter oversight, transparency, and accountability in the individuals responsible for safeguarding society’s most vulnerable members.

Closed Material Procedures and the Opaque World of ‘Secret Courts’

One of the most controversial aspects explored in The Stealing of Emily is the use of Closed Material Procedures (CMPs), commonly known as “secret courts.” CMPs allow for evidence to be presented in private, often preventing the public, and even families involved, from fully understanding the rationale behind court decisions. This secrecy effectively denies those impacted the right to a fair and transparent legal process.

Newbold passionately argues that CMPs not only violate the basic tenets of justice but also serve as a means to protect powerful institutions from scrutiny. The secrecy surrounding these proceedings creates a system where parents, like Newbold himself, are often left in the dark, struggling to understand and challenge decisions made about their own children. Through case studies and personal anecdotes, The Stealing of Emily exposes the emotional and psychological toll that CMPs inflict on families, especially in cases where children are separated from their parents without adequate explanation or recourse. This lack of transparency, Newbold contends, erodes public trust in the legal system and raises profound ethical questions about the balance between privacy, accountability, and justice.

A Growing Call for Reform and Advocacy for Change

Beyond his own case, Newbold has dedicated The Stealing of Emily to advocating for widespread reform in the family law system. Through public speeches, interviews, and online resources, he emphasizes the need for legal reforms that prioritize child welfare and respect the rights of families. The series calls for the abolition of CMPs in family law, stricter oversight of court-appointed guardians and child services, and a shift toward transparency and accountability within the judicial system.

The Stealing of Emily series has resonated with thousands, sparking discussions among policymakers, legal professionals, and families affected by similar issues. By sharing his story and the stories of others caught in the system, Newbold hopes to foster a movement that will lead to a more just, compassionate, and accountable family law system. His work has become a rallying cry for those demanding change, and it has drawn attention to the often-overlooked realities faced by families in family court.

Where to Learn More

For those interested in exploring these themes further, The Stealing of Emily offers an extensive collection of resources on its official website, including updates on ongoing legal battles, resources for families navigating the court system, and detailed analysis on policies affecting child welfare. Readers can access detailed case studies, legal insights, and advocacy guides, making the series not only a chronicle of personal resilience but also a valuable tool for others confronting the family law system.

The Stealing of Emily is more than a book series; it is a movement aimed at bringing about much-needed reform. Martin Newbold invites readers, policymakers, and advocates to join him in demanding a family law system that is transparent, accountable, and ultimately just for all involved. Through his powerful storytelling and relentless pursuit of justice, Newbold continues to shed light on the hidden injustices within family law, holding those in power accountable and giving voice to the families affected by this complex and often opaque system.