John Clark and others -v- Gerry Adams
High CourtKing's Bench DivisionOrderTransmission Direction Order
Claim number: KB-2022-004780
In the High Court of Justice
King’s Bench Division
27 February 2026
Before:
The Hon. Mr Justice Swift
Between:
John Clark
Jonathan Ganesh
Barry Laycock
-v-
Gerry Adams
Order
UPON HEARING Leading Counsel for the Claimants and Leading Counsel for the Defendant at the pre-trial review on 13 and 25 February 2026
AND UPON the Claimants’ application dated 1 July 2025 for an order anonymising two of the Claimants’ witnesses in these proceedings (“the Claimants’ Anonymity Application”)
AND UPON the Order of Master Gidden dated 6 August 2025 which granted the Claimants’ Anonymity Application (“the Ex Parte Anonymity Order”)
AND UPON the Defendant’s Application dated 20 August 2025 for an order setting aside the Ex Parte Anonymity Order (“the Defendant’s Set Aside Application”)
AND UPON the Claimants’ application dated 16 January 2026 for an order varying the number of witnesses of fact whose evidence they are permitted to rely on at trial (“the Number of Witnesses Application”)
AND UPON considering the statements of Witness “A” dated 24th October 2025 and 18th February 2026 and the statements of Witness “B” dated 29th October 2025 and 18th February 2026
IT IS ORDERED THAT
Number of Witnesses Application
1. Paragraph 3(c) of the Order of Senior Master Cook dated 6th January 2025 be varied to read: “Evidence of fact is limited to 14 witnesses on behalf of each party.”
2. The Claimants’ evidence at trial is required to be heard between 10th-12th March 2026 unless otherwise permitted by the Trial Judge.
Anonymity
3. The Ex Parte Anonymity Order is set aside and is replaced by the orders set out at paragraphs 4 to 9 below.
4. The witnesses whose statements are currently served using the cyphers “Witness A” and “Witness B” be granted anonymity in the trial of this action.
5. Witness A is permitted to withhold their name and address and any other information that might identify them.
6. Witness B is permitted to withhold their name and address and any other information that might identify them.
7. Witnesses A and B are permitted to give their evidence from behind a screen.
8. There shall be 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 the identity of Witnesses “A” and “B” from the date of this order which includes:
a) The name or address of Witnesses “A” and “B;”
b) Any particulars likely to lead to the identification of Witnesses ‘A” and “B;”
c) Any image or likeness of Witnesses “A” and “B”.
9. The court shall arrange for screens to be placed in the courtroom to shield Witnesses A and B from the public.
Transmission provision
10. Any request for a direction under section 85A(3)(b) of the Courts Act 2003 (“a transmission direction request”) by a person not taking part in the proceedings (“an applicant”) for permission to watch or listen to these proceedings remotely must be made by 10am on Thursday 5 March 2025.
11. Any transmission direction request should be sent by email to kbtransmissionrequests@justice.gov.uk and must include:
a) the full name of the applicant;
b) the email address of the applicant;
c) whether the applicant would be located within the jurisdiction of England and Wales at all times when attending the proceedings remotely (if a transmission direction were to be made); and, if not, details of the applicant’s location;
d) any information the applicant wishes to provide in support of the request, including in particular any reason(s) why it is contended that making such a direction would be in the interests of justice; and
e) a statement by the applicant in the following terms:
“If permitted to attend the hearing remotely, I understand and undertake to the Court that I will not make a recording, capture images, and/or broadcast any part of the proceedings. I understand that to do so would be an offence and may be a contempt of court, and that I may be punished if I were to do so.”
12. Unless exceptionally the court otherwise directs, a transmission direction request made otherwise than in accordance with this order will not be granted.
Costs
13. The Defendant’s costs of the Defendant’s Set Aside Application shall be paid by the Claimants to be assessed on the indemnity basis if not agreed.
14. The Defendant’s costs of the Number of Witnesses Application shall be paid by the Claimants to be assessed on the standard basis if not agreed.
15. Pursuant to CPR 44.14 the Defendant’s costs are not to be enforced save by way of set off against any recovery by the Claimants limited to the total amount of their recovery including any costs awarded to the Claimants.