DLW -v- London Borough of Barnet (anonymity order)

Administrative CourtHigh CourtKing's Bench DivisionAnonymity Order

Claim number: AC-2025-LON-003749

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

29 October 2025

Before:

The Honourable Mrs Justice Lang DBE

Between:

The King on the application of
DLW

-v-

London Borough of Barnet

Order

On the Claimant’s application for an anonymity order, urgent consideration, directions and interim relief;

Following consideration of the documents lodged by the Claimant;

Order by the Honourable Mrs Justice Lang DBE

  1. Under the Court’s inherent jurisdiction and pursuant to section 6 of the Human Rights Act 1998 and CPR 39.2(4):
    a. The name of the Claimant is to be withheld from the public and must not be disclosed in any proceedings in public.
    b. The Claimant is to be referred to orally and in writing as “DLW”.
  2. Pursuant to section 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.
  3. Pursuant to CPR 5.4C:
    a. Within 7 days of the date of service of this order, the parties must file and serve a redacted copy of any statement of case already filed, omitting the name, address and any other information likely to lead to the identification of the Claimant;
    b. 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 and must then be served with the unredacted version;
    c. Unless the Court grants permission under CPR 5.4C(6), no non-party may obtain a copy of any unredacted statement of case.
  4. The claim is to be expedited.
  5. The Defendant’s Acknowledgment of Service and Summary Grounds of Resistance, including a response to the application for interim relief, must be filed and served no more than 7 days after the date of service of the claim form and supporting documents.
  6. Any Reply from the Claimant must be filed and served no more than 5 days after service of the Defendant’s Acknowledgment of Service.
  7. The papers are to be referred to a Judge for a decision whether to grant interim relief within 7 days thereafter.
  8. Liberty to apply to vary or discharge this order on 2 days notice to the other party.
  9. Costs reserved.

Reasons

  1. I have granted an anonymity order. The Claimant is a refugee and claims to be a victim of domestic violence in the UK. In the circumstances, a departure from the general principle of open justice is justified.
  2. The Claimant seeks judicial review of the Defendant’s refusal, in a letter dated 24 October 2025, to provide her with interim accommodation, under section 188(3) of the Housing Act 1996, pending a review of the decision that she was not in priority need, under section 189(1) Housing Act 1996.
  3. The Claimant submits that the Defendant’s officers misdirected themselves in law in applying the relevant legal tests, and the decision-making was procedurally unfair.
  4. The application for interim relief is urgent because the Claimant is homeless, seeking overnight shelter where she can, and otherwise sleeping rough. She is vulnerable because of her poor physical and mental health.
  5. The claim is contested and the court ought not to make an interim order without giving the Defendant an opportunity to present its defence. However, because of the Claimant’s difficult circumstances, the claim must be expedited at this stage.