Bharat Hindu Samaj -v- Peterborough City Council

Administrative CourtHigh CourtKing's Bench DivisionTransmission Direction Order

Claim number: AC-2026-LON-000946

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

7 July 2026

Before:

Mr Justice Morris

Between:

The King on the application of
Bharat Hindu Samaj

-v-

Peterborough City Council

and

United Kingdom Islamic Mission
(Interested party)

Order

OF THE COURT’S OWN MOTION

IT IS ORDERED THAT:

  1. Any request for a direction under s.85A(3)(b) of the Courts Act 2003 (“a transmission direction request”) by a person not taking part in the proceedings (“an applicant”) for permission to watch or listen the hearing of the above proceedings on 13 and 14 July 2026 must be made by 10am on Friday 10 July 2026.
  2. Any transmission direction request should be sent by email to the Administrative Court List Office at administrativecourtoffice.listoffice@justice.gov.uk and must include the following:
    a. The full name of the applicant;
    b. The email address of the applicant;
    c. Whether the applicant would be located within the jurisdiction of England and Wales at all times when attending the proceedings remotely (if a transmission direction were to be made); and, if not, details of the applicant’s location;
    d. Any information the applicant wishes to provide in support of the request, including in particular any reason(s) why it is contended that making such a direction would be in the interests of justice; and
    e. A statement made by the applicant in the following terms: “If permitted to attend the hearing remotely, I understand and undertake to the Court that I will not make a recording, capture images, and/or broadcast any part of the proceedings. I understand that to do so would be an offence and may be a contempt of court, and that I may be punished if I were to do so”.
  3. Unless exceptionally the Court otherwise directs, a transmission direction request made otherwise than in accordance with this Order will not be granted.

Reasons

In this claim for judicial review, the Claimant operates a Hindu temple and community centre from property owned by Peterborough City Council, the Defendant. The Claimant challenges as being unlawful the Council’s decision to dispose of that property to a Muslim association, the Interested Party.

This case has already attracted media attention and the attention of members of the public. At the last hearing of the case, there were multiple requests for remote attendance. The case may attract similar attention when the hearing resumes on 13 July 2026. Accordingly this Order is made to ensure that any transmission direct requests are made in a timely manner to enable them to be considered and determined prior to the hearing and to ensure that any such requests are accompanied by the necessary information.