FML -v- Thurrock District Council (anonymity order)

Administrative CourtHigh CourtKing's Bench DivisionAnonymity Order

Case number: AC-2026-LON-003761

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

In the matter of an application for judicial review

13 August 2026

Before:

The Hon. Mrs Justice Foster

Between:

The King
on the application of
FML,
by his father and litigation friend, MSS
(Claimant)

-v-

Thurrock District Council
(Defendant)

Order

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

Following consideration of the documents lodged by the Claimant

ORDER by the Hon. Mrs Justice FOSTER

  1. No Order on the application for interim relief.

2. Anonymity:

(a) Under the Court’s inherent jurisdiction and pursuant to s. 6 of the Human Rights Act 1998:

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

(ii) the Claimant is to be referred to orally and in writing as “FML”.

(iii) The litigation friend is to be referred to orally and in writing as “MSS”.

(b) Pursuant to s. 11 of the Contempt of Court Act 1981, there must be no publication of the identity of the Claimant or litigation friend or of any matter likely to lead to the identification of them 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 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 or the litigation friend;

(ii) if any statement of case subsequently filed includes information likely to lead to the identification of the Claimant or the litigation friend, a redacted copy omitting that information must be filed at the same time and must then be served with the unredacted version;

(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.

3. Abridgement of time and expedition:

(a) The Requirement for an Acknowledgment of Service is dispensed with.

(b) The Defendant shall by 4pm Friday 28 August 2026 file and serve such defence and documentation upon which it seeks to rely in answer to the application.

(c) Any Reply from the Claimant (CPR 54.8A) must be filed and served by 4pm on Wednesday 2 September 2026

(d) The papers are to be referred to a judge/judge or deputy judge of the High Court for a decision whether to grant permission to apply for judicial review no later than 12 noon Friday 4 September 2026.

  1. Suitable for vacation business.
  2. Liberty to apply to set aside or vary this Order on 2 days’ notice in writing by email to the court and to the parties
  3. Costs reserved.

REASONS

  1. There have been repeated attempts by the applicant to achieve the February 2026 Order made in the FTT (SEND) in favour of his minor son without , the papers suggests, much success to date. The effect for this boy is serious, and the school term will recommence before long.
  2. The Defendant must be given an opportunity to respond fully but an abridged timetable is appropriate, as is certification as suitable for vacation business.

Signed: Mrs Justice Foster DBE

Dated this 13 day of August 2026