IIA -v- London Borough of Bromley (anonymity order)

Administrative CourtHigh CourtKing's Bench DivisionAnonymity Order

Case number: AC-2023-LON-003862

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

10 January 2024

Before:

The Honourable Mrs Justice Stacey

Between:

The King on the application of
IIA

-v-

London Borough of Bromley

Order

Following consideration of the documents lodged by the Claimant and the Defendant
ORDER by the Honourable Mrs Justice Stacey

  1. Pursuant to CPR r.39.2 in any report of these proceedings, there shall be no publication of the name and address of the Claimant, nor any other particulars likely to lead to their identification. In the proceedings, the Claimant shall be anonymised and referred to as “IIA”;
  2. Erin Argun Kayim is appointed as the Claimant’s litigation friend;
  3. The Defendant shall by 4pm on 12 January 2024 file and serve its response to the Claimant’s application for interim relief;
  4. The case to be referred back to the immediates judge as soon as possible thereafter for a decision on the interim relief application;
  5. Costs reserved.

Reasons

  1. In light of the report from the Refugee Council and the evidence of Alice Healy-Smith, Children’s Therapist, there is considerable urgency to this matter justifying an early response to the Claimant’s application and the Defendant has indicated it will be in a position to respond by 12 January 2024.
  2. I have made an anonymity order for the time being as the Claimant may be a minor, may have been a victim of trafficking and appears vulnerable on account of his mental health. A limited departure from the general principle of open justice is justified, at least for the time being.
  3. Since it is in issue whether the Claimant is a minor it is appropriate to appoint a litigation friend, for the time being at least.