BIT -v- Secretary of State for Defence (anonymity order)

Administrative CourtHigh CourtKing's Bench DivisionAnonymity Order

Claim number: AC-2023-LON-003710

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

15 December 2023

Before:

The Honourable Mr Justice Swift

Between:

The King on the application of
BIT

-v-

Secretary of State for Defence

Order

On an application by the Claimant for anonymity, abridgment of time for filing and service of the Acknowledgment of Service, and for expedition
Following consideration of the documents lodged by the Claimant

ORDER by the Honourable Mr Justice Swift

  1. The Claimant shall be referred to in these proceedings as “BIT”, and pursuant to CPR 39.2 there shall be no publication of the name or address of the Claimant or any particulars of the case likely to lead to the identification of the Claimant without the leave of the court. Any person has liberty on three days’ written notice to the parties to apply to vary or discharge this order.
  2. The application to abridge time is refused. The Acknowledgment of Service and Summary Grounds of Defence shall be filed and served in accordance with CPR 54.8.
  3. If permission to apply for judicial review is granted, the judge granting permission shall also consider whether, and if so how, the hearing of the claim should be expedited.

Reasons

  1. This case is identical to AC-2023-LON-3709. I have considered both together.
  2. It is important that this claim is decided promptly. However, the court will be better-placed to decide the timetable for the case with the benefit of thoroughly prepared Summary Grounds of Defence. I consider that sticking with the timetable prescribed in the CPR for now (itself, a short timetable) will best ensure effective and timely consideration of this case.