HGM -v- London Borough of Wandsworth (anonymity order)

Administrative CourtHigh CourtKing's Bench DivisionAnonymity Order

Claim number: AC-2026-LON-001308

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

20 March 2026

Before:

The Honourable Mr Justice Butcher

Between:

THE KING on the application of
HGM (BY IRV AS LITIGATION FRIEND)

-v-

LONDON BOROUGH OF WANDSWORTH

Order

On an application by the Claimant for anonymity and for urgent consideration and interim relief made by N463 dated 19 March 2026

Following consideration of the documents lodged by the Claimant and an email from the Defendant’s solicitors dated 19 March 2026

ORDER by the Hon. Mr Justice BUTCHER:

  1. Anonymity:
    (a) Pursuant to CPR 39.2(4) and/or the Court’s inherent jurisdiction and/or s. 6 of the Human Rights Act 1998:
    (i) The Claimant’s 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 and the Litigation Friend are to be referred to orally and in writing as HGM and IRV respectively;
    (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 to lead to their identification 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 a redacted copy of any statement of case filed omitting the name, address and any other information likely to lead to the identification of the Claimant or Litigation Friend;
    (ii) If any statement of case subsequently filed includes information likely to lead to the identification of the Claimant or Litigation Friend, a redacted copy omitting that information must be filed at the same time;
    (iii) Unless the Court grants permission under CPR 5.4C(6), no non-party may 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.
  2. Timetable for submissions and paper decision on interim relief:
    (a) The Defendant may file and serve any response to the application for interim relief by 4 pm on 1 April 2026
    (b) The Claimant may file and serve a reply to that response by 4 pm on 8 April 2026.
    (c) The papers are to be referred to a judge or deputy judge for a decision whether to grant interim relief and/or give any further directions within 7 days thereafter.

Reasons

Anonymity: The Claimant is a child with neurodiverse needs. The anonymity order is necessary to protect their privacy.

Timetable for submissions and paper decision on interim relief: I am not persuaded that the case is one of sufficient urgency to justify the grant of interim relief before receiving submissions from the Defendant. Further, this would appear to be a case in which the question of interim relief is likely to be capable of being dealt with on paper, once written submissions have been served, though the judge dealing with the matter can order otherwise if appropriate.