HBX and IAX -v- Devon Partnership NHS Trust (anonymity order)

High CourtKing's Bench DivisionAnonymity Order

Claim Number: KB 2024 001819

In the High Court of Justice
King’s Bench Division

12 February 2026

Before:
Master Fontaine

Between:
HBX and IAX
as Joint Executors of the Estate of
HAX (Deceased)
-v-
Devon Partnership NHS Trust

BEFORE Master Fontaine (Sitting in Retirement) via video link at the Royal Courts of Justice on 12 February 2026

UPON HEARING Ms Raynor of Counsel on behalf of the Claimants and Nicola Kumi, on behalf of the Defendant,

AND UPON the application notice dated 8 December 2025:

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

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

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 Claimants’ identity is necessary to secure the proper administration of justice and in order to protect the Claimants’ interests

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

IT IS ORDERED that

  1. The name of the Claimants, the Deceased, and the Deceased’s Dependants are to be withheld in the statements of case, and in any judgments and orders in this claim, and for those purposes:
    (i) The Deceased shall be known as HAX
    (ii) The First Executor Shall be known as HBX
    (iii) The Second Executor Shall be known IAX
    (iv) The Deceased’s mother shall be known as HCX
    (v) The Deceased’s father shall be known as HDX
    (vi) The Deceased’s wife shall be known as HEX
    (vii) The Deceased’s son shall be known as HFX
    (viii) Any other details which, on their own or together with other information publicly available, may lead to the identification of the Claimants (including any names of other immediate family members or their addresses) shall be redacted before publication.
  2. The Claimants’ address on the claim form shall be substituted by the Claimants’ solicitor’s address.
  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, address, school, workplace, or any other specific feature of the Claimants, the Deceased or the Deceased’s Dependants;
    (b) The name or address of the Claimants, the Deceased and the Deceased’s Dependants;
    (c) Any particulars likely to lead to the identification of the Claimants, the Deceased and the Deceased’s Dependants;
    (d) Any image or likeness of the Claimants, the Deceased and the Deceased’s Dependants;
  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:
    (i) A person who is not a party to the proceedings may not obtain a copy of a statement of case, judgment or order from the Court records unless the statement of case, judgment or order has been anonymised in accordance with subparagraphs 1 and 2 above.
    (ii) If a person who is not a party to the proceedings applies (pursuant to CPR r.5.4C(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, trustee or deputy 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 5 March 2026.
  7. The Court file shall be clearly marked with the words “An anonymity order was made in this case on 12 February 2026 and any application by a non-party to inspect or obtain a copy document from this file must be dealt with in accordance with the terms of that Order.”
  8. Any interested party, whether or not a party to the proceedings, may apply to the Court to vary or set aside this Order, provided that any such application is made on 7 days’ notice to the Claimants’ solicitor, trustee or deputy.
  9. This order shall lapse automatically on the death of the Claimants and the Deceased’s Dependants for whose benefit this order is made and its provisions shall have no effect from that time.
  10. Pursuant CPR 39.2(5) a copy of this Order shall be published on the website of the Judiciary of England and Wales (www.judiciary.uk). For that purpose, a court officer will send a copy of the order by email to the Judicial Office.