CSX and another -v- Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust (anonymity order)

High CourtKing's Bench DivisionAnonymity Order

Claim No. KB-2023-004777

In the High Court of Justice
King’s Bench Division

13 January 2026

Before:

Master Eastman

Between:

CSX (As Executor On Behalf of the Estate of the HLX) on behalf of the Estate and Dependants of HNX (Deceased)

HEX (Through his Litigation Friend, CSX)

-v-

Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust

Order

BEFORE Master Eastman sitting at the High Court of Justice by way of a video link on 13 January 2026

UPON HEARING counsel for the Claimants, Richard Partridge.

AND UPON the application notice dated 5 December 2025

UPON CONSIDERING the protective nature of the approval jurisdiction pursuant to CPR 21.10 of the Civil Procedure Rules 1998.

AND UPON CONSIDERING the Article 8 rights of the Claimants and the Litigation Friend to respect for private and family life and the risk of harm that identification may cause to the Claimants and the Litigation Friend.

AND UPON CONSIDERING the importance of open justice and the Article 10 right to freedom of expression.

AND UPON THE COURT CONCLUDING that non-disclosure of the identity of the Claimants and the Litigation Friend is necessary to secure the proper administration of justice and in order to protect the interests of the Claimants and the Litigation Friend.

AND UPON The Defendant indicating its neutrality to the making of the order and there being no representations from the press or any other interested party.

AND UPON THE COURT FURTHER CONCLUDING that it is necessary to make a reporting restriction order

IT IS ORDERED that:

  1. The names of the Claimants, the Litigation Friend and the Deceased are to be withheld in the statements of case, and in any judgments and orders in this claim, and for those purposes:
    a) the First Claimant shall be referred to as “HLX”
    b) the Second Claimant shall be referred to as “HEX”
    c) the Litigation Friend shall be referred to as “CSX”
    d) The Deceased be referred to as “HNX”
  2. The Claimants’ address on the Claim Form shall be substituted by the Claimants’ solicitor’s address; 236 Grays Inn Road, London, WC1X 8HB.
  3. No report, whether oral or in writing, or other communication in whatever form (including internet or social media) addressed to the public at large or any section of the public, of or concerning this claim which is published from the date of this order may include:
    a) The name or address of the Claimants;
    b) The name or address of the Litigation Friend
    c) The name of the Deceased
    d) Any particulars likely to lead to the identification of the Claimants or the Litigation Friend
    e) Any image or likeness of the Claimants, the Litigation Friend, or the Deceased.
  4. Any reports or other communications to the public which exist prior to the date of this order are not affected by this order.
  5. Pursuant to CPR Rules 5.4C and 5.4D:
    a) A person who is not a party to the proceedings may not obtain a copy of the statement of case, judgment, or order from the Court records unless the statement of case, judgment or order has been anonymised in accordance with paragraphs 1 and 2 above.
    b) If a person who is not a party to the proceedings applies (pursuant to CPR r.5.4C(1B) or (2)) for permission to inspect or obtain a copy of any other document or communication, such application shall be on at least 7 days’ notice to the Claimants’ solicitor unless the court orders otherwise.
  6. The Claimants’ solicitor shall file with the Court copies of any existing statements of case anonymised in accordance with paragraph 1 and 2 above by 21 days from the date of the order.
  7. The Court file shall be clearly marked with the words “An anonymity order was made in this case on 13 January 2026 and any application by a non-party to inspect or obtain a copy document from the file must be dealt with in accordance with the terms of that Order”.
  8. Provided that the parties and/or their advisers and/or NHS Resolution do not publish any documents containing references to the Claimants or their Litigation Friend by name the parties be at liberty to retain their files in this case without alteration or substitution and to retain and generate internal documentation which identifies the Claimants and their Litigation Friend for the purposes of their continuing rights and obligations in relation to dealing with this claim and paragraphs 1 to 3 shall not apply in those respects.
  9. The provisions of this Order shall not apply to communications between the Claimants and their solicitors or financial advisers or between the Defendants and any agent of the Defendants or other person who requires the name of the Claimants or their Litigation Friend in order to comply with the terms of the settlement agreement or to any communication between the parties and/or documents which it is necessary to serve and/ or file in relation to the assessments of damages and/or costs.
  10. Any interested party, whether or not a party to the proceedings, may apply to the Court to vary or discharge paragraphs 1-9 of this Order, provided that any such application is made on notice to the Claimants’ solicitor, and that 7 days’ prior notice of the intention to make such an application is given.
  11. Pursuant to CPR 39.2(5) a copy of this Order shall be published on the Judicial Website of the High Court of Justice (www.judiciary.uk). For that purpose, a court officer will send a copy of the order by email to the Judicial Office at judicialwebupdates.judiciary.uk.
  12. Costs in the case.