HWN -v- London Borough of Richmond-upon-Thames (anonymity order)

Administrative CourtHigh CourtKing's Bench DivisionAnonymity Order

Claim number: AC-2026-LON-000926

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

27 February 2026

Before:

The Hon. Mr Justice Choudhury

Between:

THE KING on the application of
HWN (By his litigation friend)

-v-

LONDON BOROUGH OF RICHMOND-UPON-THAMES

Order

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

Following consideration of the documents lodged by the Claimant

ORDER by the Hon. Mr Justice Choudhury:

  1. Anonymity:
    (a) Under the Court’s inherent jurisdiction and pursuant to s. 6 of the Human Rights Act 1998:
    (i) the Claimant’s name is 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 ‘’HWN”.
    (b) Pursuant to s. 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.
    (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;
    (ii) 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;
    (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.
  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/directions] by 4.00pm on 4 March 2026.
    (b) The Claimant may file and serve a reply to that response by 4.00pm on 6 March 2026.
    (c) The papers are to be referred to a judge for a decision whether to grant interim relief within 7 days thereafter.

Reasons

There has been extensive correspondence between the parties. It would appear that the Claimant is currently attending school albeit for only about 80% of the time. The provision of some ongoing education is a factor to bear in mind in determining whether extreme urgency and/or interim relief is warranted. It is also noted that the Defendant has made clear in recent correspondence that a full response to the claim would be provided by 3 March 2026. In these circumstances, it is clearly appropriate that the Defendant be given a short period of time in which to provide its response and for the application for interim relief to be considered on the papers in the light of such response (and any Reply from the Claimant).