HSC -v- The London Borough of Ealing (anonymity order)

Administrative CourtHigh CourtKing's Bench DivisionAnonymity Order

Case number: AC-2026-LON-001709

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

In the matter of an application for judicial review

16 April 2026

Before:

The Hon. Mr Justice Bourne

Between:

HSC
(Claimant)

-v-

The London Borough of Ealing
(Defendant)

and

NHS North-West London ICB
(Interested Party)

Order

UPON the claimant’s application for urgent consideration and interim relief

AND UPON considering the documents filed by the claimant

ORDER by the Hon. Mr Justice Bourne:

  1. For the purpose of this application, and solely to preserve the position, he is granted anonymity and is, until further order, to be referred to in these proceedings as HSC (“the cipher”). The claimant’s name is to be withheld from the public and must not to be disclosed in any proceedings in open court. There is to be substituted for all purposes in these proceedings in place of references to the claimant by name, and whether orally or in writing, references to the cipher. Pursuant to s.11 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. Pursuant to CPR 5.4C(4): (a) The parties must, when filing any statement of case, also file a redacted copy of that statement of case omitting the name, address and any other information which could lead to the identification of the claimant. (b) Unless the Court grants permission under CPR 5.4(C)(6), no non-party may obtain an unredacted copy of any statement of case.
  1. The defendant’s AOS and summary grounds are to be filed and served by 4pm on 30 April 2026.
  1. Forthwith thereafter, the papers will be placed before a Judge for consideration of permission and, if appropriate, expedition and further consideration of interim relief.

REASONS

The defendant’s considered input is needed before the Court can consider (1) whether there is any arguable claim for judicial review and if so (2) whether any interim relief is needed. The judicial review challenge appears to be directed at decisions going back some months. There are time limit issues. It is not clear whether any very recent change to the claimant’s provision is such as to call for any interim relief. However, a degree of expedition is appropriate in order to clarify that question.

Anonymity has been granted for present purposes because the claimant is a vulnerable child.

Signed: Mr Justice Bourne
Dated: 16/04/26