AB and CD -v- Rochdale Borough Council (anonymity order)

County CourtAnonymity Order

CLAIM NO: M04ZA672

IN THE COUNTY COURT SITTING AT MANCHESTER

2 April 2026

BEFORE:

District Judge Banks

BETWEEN:

AB and CD

-v-

Rochdale Borough Council

Order

BEFORE District Judge Banks sitting in the County Court in Manchester on 2nd April 2026.

UPON hearing the Claimant in person and Counsel for the Defendant.

AND UPON CONSIDERING the Article 8 rights of the Claimants to respect for private and family life and the risk of harm that identification may cause to the Claimant.

AND UPON CONSIDERING the importance of open justice and the Article 10 right to freedom of expression

AND UPON THE COURT CONCLUDING that non-disclosure of the Claimants identity is necessary to secure the proper administration of justice and in order to protect the Claimants interests.

AND UPON THE COURT FURTHER CONCLUDING that it is necessary to make a reporting restriction order.

IT IS ORDERED THAT:

  1. The names of the Claimants and the Litigation Friend of the Second Claimant are to be withheld in the statements of case, and in any judgments and orders in this claim, and for those purposes:
    i) The First Claimant and Litigation Friend shall be referred to as AB;
    ii) The Second Claimant shall be referred to as CD;
    iii) The former First Defendant will be referred to as the School.
  2. No report, whether oral or in writing, or other communication in whatever form (including internet or social media) addressed to the public at large or any section of the public, of or concerning this claim which is published from the date of this order may include:
    a) The name or address of the Claimant;
    b) The name or address of the Litigation Friend;
    c) Any particulars likely to lead to the identification of the Claimants and Litigation Friend; and
    d) Any image or likeness of the Claimants or Litigation Friend.
  3. Any reports or other communications to the public which exist prior to the date of this order are not affected by this order.
  4. Pursuant to CPR Rules 5.4C and 5.4D:
    (i) A person who is not a party to the proceedings may not obtain a copy of a statement of case, judgment or order from the Court records unless the statement of case, judgment or order has been anonymised in accordance with subparagraphs 1 and 2 above.
    (ii)  If a person who is not a party to the proceedings applies (pursuant to CPR r.5.4C(2)) for permission to inspect or obtain a copy of any other document or communication, such application shall be on at least 7 days’ notice to the Claimants unless the court orders otherwise.
  5. The Claimants shall file with the Court copies of any existing statements of case anonymised in accordance with paragraph 1 and 2 above 21 days from date of the order.
  6. The Court file shall be clearly marked with the words “An anonymity order was made in this case on 2nd April 2026 and any application by a non-party to inspect or obtain a copy document from this file must be dealt with in accordance with the terms of that Order.
  7. Any interested party, whether or not a party to the proceedings, may apply to the Court to vary or set aside this Order, provided that any such application is made on 7 days’ notice to the Claimant.
  8. This order shall lapse automatically on the death of the Claimants and its provisions shall have no effect from that time. 
  9. Pursuant CPR 39.2(5) a copy of this Order shall be published on the website of the Judiciary of England and Wales (www.judiciary.uk). For that purpose, a court officer will send a copy of the order by email to the Judicial Office at judicialwebupdates@judiciary.uk.
  10. The Defendant will serve a copy of this anonymity order on the School.