ABA -v- Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust (anonymity order)
Claim number: B90SE024
In the High Court of Justice
King’s Bench Division
Sheffield District Registry
27 November 2025
Before:
His Honour Judge Baddeley
ABA
(a child/PP proceeding by way of litigation friend BCB)
-v-
Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust
Order
Before His Honour Judge Baddeley sitting at Sheffield District Registry, The Law Courts, 50 West Bar, Sheffield, S3 8PH.
UPON HEARING Henry Witcomb one of His Majesty’s Counsel, on behalf of the Claimant, and Caroline Harrison, one of His Majesty’s Counsel, on behalf of the Defendant.
AND UPON the Claimant’s application notice dated 20 November 2025.
UPON CONSIDERING the protective nature of the approval jurisdiction pursuant to r.21.10 of the Civil Procedure Rules 1998.
AND UPON CONSIDERING the Article 8 rights of the Claimant 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 Claimant’s identity is necessary to secure the proper administration of justice and in order to protect the Claimant’s interests.
AND UPON THE COURT FURTHER CONCLUDING that it is necessary to make a reporting restriction order.
IT IS ORDERED THAT:
- The names of the Claimant and Litigation Friend are to be withheld in the statements of case, and in any judgments and orders in this claim, and for those purposes:
(i) The Claimant shall be referred to as ABA;
(ii) The Litigation Friend and mother shall be referred to as BCB; - 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 names or address of the Claimant;
(b) The names or address of the Litigation Friend;
(c) Any particulars likely to lead to the identification of the Claimant and Litigation Friend;
(d) Any image or likeness of the Claimant or Litigation Friend; - Any reports or other communications to the public which exist prior to the date of this order are not affected by this order.
- 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 Claimant’s solicitor, unless the court orders otherwise. - The Claimant’s solicitor shall file with the Court copies of any existing statements of case anonymised in accordance with paragraph 1 and 2 above within 28 days from date of this order.
- The Court file shall be clearly marked with the words “An anonymity order was made in this case on 26 November 2025 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.”.
- 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’s solicitor.
- This order shall lapse automatically on the death of the Claimant and its provisions shall have no effect from that time.
- 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
- The costs of the Claimant’s application be in the case.
Dated 26 November 2025