CRA -v- London Borough of Harrow (anonymity order)

Administrative CourtHigh CourtKing's Bench DivisionAnonymity Order

Case number: AC-2024-LON-003424

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

In the matter of an application for judicial review

9 October 2025

Before:

The Hon. Ms Justice Obi

Between:

The King
on the application of
CRA
(Claimant)

-v-

London Borough of Harrow
(Defendant)

and

Governing Body of Norbury Primary School
(Interested Party)

Order

On an application by the Claimant for urgent consideration, anonymity and interim relief

Following consideration of the documents lodged by the Claimant

ORDER BY THE HON. MS JUSTICE OBI

  1. Anonymity:

(a) Pursuant to CPR 39.2(4) and/or the Court’s inherent jurisdiction and/or s. 6 of the Human Rights Act 1998:

(i) the Claimant’s name is to be withheld from the public and must not be disclosed in any proceedings in public; and

(ii) the Claimants are to be referred to orally and in writing as CRA.

(b) Pursuant to s. 11 of the Contempt of Court Act 1981, there must be no publication of the identity of the Claimant or of any matter likely to lead to the identification of the Claimant in any report of, or otherwise in connection with, these proceedings.

(c) Pursuant to CPR 5.4C(4):

(i) the parties must within 7 days file a redacted copy of any statement of case filed, omitting the name, address and any other information likely to lead to the identification of the Claimant;

(ii) if any statement of case subsequently filed includes information likely to lead to the identification of the Claimant, a redacted copy omitting that information must be filed at the same time;

(iii) unless the Court grants permission under CPR 5.4C(6), no non-party many obtain a copy of any unredacted statement of case.

(d) Any person wishing to vary or discharge this Order must make an application, served on each party.

  1. Abridgement of time:

(a) Time for the Defendant to file and serve an Acknowledgement of Service (CPR 54.8) and Summary Grounds of Defence is abridged to 4pm on 23 October 2025.

(b) Time for the Claimant to file and serve the Reply is abridged to 4pm on 29 October 2025.

(c) The papers are to be referred to a judge within 7 days thereafter.

  1. Liberty to apply: The parties have liberty to apply to vary or revoke these directions.

REASONS

Anonymity: Although the Claimant’s application for anonymity was made only in respect of one of her two children, anonymising the parent is necessary to prevent indirect identification of both children. Given the close familial link, naming the Claimant would likely lead to the children being identified, undermining the purpose of the anonymity order and potentially compromising the child’s welfare in the context of a sensitive child protection matter.

Abridgement of time and Expedition: The degree of expedition sought by the Claimant is not justified given that the Child Protection Plan was made on 7 July 2025 and sent to the Claimant on 8 July 2025. The claim was issued on 7 October 2025. However, the claim raises serious issues relating to the welfare of the Claimant’s children. The directions provide for a moderate degree of expedition which will allow the Defendant to file and serve an Acknowledgment of Service (AoS) and Summary Grounds of Defence (SGD). Any further expedition can be considered by a judge following receipt of the AoS and SGD.

Signed: MS JUSTICE OBI

Date: 9 October 2025