FRB -v- Secretary of State for the Home Department (anonymity order)

Administrative CourtHigh CourtKing's Bench DivisionAnonymity Order

Claim number: AC-2026-LON-001023

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

4 March 2026

Before:

The Honourable Mrs Justice Lang DBE

Between:

THE KING on the application of
FRB (by his Litigation Friend, the Official Solicitor)

-v-

SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT
(HO Ref: 1212-0099-0333-3960)

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 and the litigation friend 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 “FRB”.
  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 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.
  5. The Defendant must file and serve an indexed and paginated bundle of all relevant documents in its possession or control relating to the Claimant which are not already included in the Claimant’s bundle, 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 documents by the Defendant pursuant to paragraphs 4 and 5 above.
  7. The papers are to be referred to a Judge for a decision whether to grant interim relief as soon as possible after the expiry of the time for the Claimant to file a Reply, and in any event, no later than 18 March 2026.
  8. The claim is to be expedited.
  9. Liberty to apply to vary or discharge this order on 2 days notice to the other party.
  10. Costs reserved

Reasons

  1. I have granted an anonymity order as the Claimant lacks capacity. In the circumstances, a departure from the general principle of open justice is justified.
  2. This is a challenge to the Claimant’s ongoing detention.
  3. The Claimant has been diagnosed with schizophrenia and depressive disorder and may have other mental health issues too. A consultant psychiatrist has certified that he lacks capacity.
  4. The Claimant was placed in immigration detention on 22 October 2025 as he was considered to be without permission to remain in the UK. Removal directions to Bulgaria were cancelled on medical advice, and the IRC doctor recommended admission to a psychiatric facility. He was granted bail on 2 December 2025, but he was unable to provide a suitable release address. Psychiatric admission was requested by the Home Office on 5 December 2025 but a bed has not yet been sourced.
  5. Medical records indicate that he is acutely ill and is non-compliant with anti-psychotic medication. He has been segregated and it is alleged that IRC officers have used force against him. He is at risk of self harming. He is in urgent need of in-patient hospital treatment in a psychiatric unit.
  6. This claim has been expedited and the Defendant must address this case as a matter of urgency. The other directions sought by the Claimant should be considered once the Defendant has had an opportunity to respond.