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

Administrative CourtHigh CourtKing's Bench DivisionAnonymity Order

Case number: AC-2025-LON-001151

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

In the matter of an application for judicial review

1 May 2025

Before:

The Honourable Mr Justice Bourne

Between:

The King
on the application of
BHM

-v-

Secretary of State for the Home Department

Order

On an application by the Claimant for anonymity and for interim relief

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

ORDER by the Honourable Mr Justice Bourne

  1. The Claimant’s name and any information likely to lead to his identification are to be withheld from the public and must not to be disclosed in any proceedings in open court. There is to be substituted for all purposes in these proceedings in place of references to the Claimant by name, references to the cipher BHM.
  2. The Defendant must continue to provide trafficking support to the Claimant under the National Referral Mechanism, including accommodation and subsistence support, until the conclusion of these proceedings or further order.
  3. Liberty to apply.
  4. Costs reserved.

Reasons

  1. In view of the issues around vulnerability and trafficking of the Claimant, non-disclosure of his identity is necessary in order to protect his interests pursuant to rule 39.2(4) of the Civil Procedure Rules.
  2. The Defendant’s summary grounds of response are not yet due. From the material presently before the Court, the claim puts forward a strong prima facie case.
  3. The balance of convenience favours the grant of interim relief. In the absence of interim relief, the Claimant must apply periodically for extensions of his NRM support and, save in exceptional circumstances, these are granted only for up to 28 days on each occasion. As the expiry of his support approaches on each occasion, he is faced with the prospect of homelessness and destitution. Public funds are employed in the making and considering of each extension request. Three periodic extensions have already been granted. In those circumstances, it is just and convenient to order that support be maintained until further order.
  4. The position could change, e.g. because the Defendant advances reasons why support should not continue or because of any developments affecting the timescale of these proceedings. It is open to the Defendant to apply to vary or discharge the interim relief order.

Signed: CG Bourne

Mr Justice Bourne
1 May 2025