BNL -v- London Borough of Lambeth (anonymity order)

Administrative CourtHigh CourtKing's Bench DivisionAnonymity Order

Claim number: AC-2025-LON-000639

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

In the matter of an application for judicial review

17 March 2025

Before:

His Honour Judge Dight CBE

Between:

The King (on the application of)

 BNL

-v-

London Borough of Lambeth

ORDER

On an application by the claimant for anonymity and other relief

Following consideration of the documents lodged by the Claimant and the Defendant, in particular the consent order lodged by them dated 10 March 2025

AND UPON the defendant withdrawing its age assessment of the claimant conducted on 15 January 2025 and agreeing to support the claimant under the Children Act 1989 as his claimed age pending completion of a further age assessment

ORDER by His Honour Judge Dight CBE, sitting as a Judge of the High Court

  1. the claimant be anonymised for the purpose of these proceedings and the matter be referred to as R (BNL) v London Borough of Lambeth;
  2. the claimant be permitted to conduct these proceedings without a litigation friend pursuant to CPR 21.2(3);
  3. there be permission to the claimant to withdraw the claim for judicial review;
  4. the defendant do pay the claimant’s costs of the claim subject to detailed assessment on the standard basis if not agreed;
  5. there be detailed assessment of the claimant’s publicly funded costs.

Reasons

  1. The parties have reached agreement that the age assessment carried out by the defendant in respect of the claimant asylum seeker be withdrawn and he be re-assessed, pending which the defendant has agreed to support him under the Children Act 1989.
  2. It is necessary to anonymise the proceedings at this stage to protect the interests of the claimant who is being treated as a child.
  3. Notwithstanding the claimant’s deemed status as a child I am satisfied for the reasons given by his solicitors in the claim that he be permitted to conduct and conclude these proceedings without a litigation friend.
  4. I am satisfied that the settlement of these proceedings in terms of this order above are in the best interests of the claimant.