AJA -v- Secretary of State for the Home Department (anonymity order)

Administrative CourtHigh CourtKing's Bench DivisionAnonymity Order

Claim number: AC-2024-LON-001572

In the High Court of Justice
King’s Bench Division
Administrative Court

7 November 2024

Before:

Mr Justice Foxton

Between:

The King on the application of
AJA

-v-

Secretary of State for the Home Department


Order

On an application by the Defendant for an extension of time to file acknowledgement of service

Following consideration of the documents lodged by the Claimant and the Defendant

ORDER by the Honourable Mr Justice

1. Time for the Defendant to acknowledge service is extended to 6 November 2024.

2. So far as may be necessary, the Defendant is granted relief from sanctions for its failure to file an acknowledgement of service.

3. Pursuant to CPR 39.2, the identity of the Claimant shall not be directly or indirectly disclosed, and these proceedings shall be known as “R (AJA) v Secretary of State for the Home Department.

Reasons

1. The Defendant needs a significant extension for this application, the Claim Form having been served on the email of the Immigration Admin Team on 16 May 2024. The email was missed in an administrative oversight, and only came to the attention of the judicial review team on 22 October 2024.

2. I accept that was a significant delay in its length, but not in its character (an unwitting oversight rather than conscious non-compliance). To date no decision has been made on permission. The court would be assisted in applying that important filter by engagement from the Defendant. Prompt efforts have been made to address the position once the error came to light.

3. As a minor with an ongoing asylum claim, an anonymity order is appropriate.