JWS -v- JZX and others (anonymity order)

High CourtKing's Bench DivisionAnonymity Order

Claim No. KB-2024-000293

In the High Court of Justice
King’s Bench Division

27 April 2026

Before:

The Hon. Mrs Justice Steyn DBE

Between:

JWS
(Claimant / First Respondent)

-v-

JZX
(Defendant / Second Respondent)

and

(1) Times Media Limited
(2) British Broadcasting Corporation
(3) X Internet Unlimited Company
(a company incorporated in the Republic of Ireland)
(Applicants)

Order

UPON READING the Order of Master Stevens dated 22 April 2024 (as amended on 9 May 2024) providing for the anonymity of the Defendant in these proceedings together with reporting and other restrictions (“the Anonymity Order”).

AND UPON READING the Order of Master Stevens dated 16 February 2026 recording that the Claimant had filed a Notice of Discontinuance dated 9 January 2026 and that these proceedings remain subject to the Anonymity Order.

AND UPON READING the applications from (1) Times Media Limited and the British Broadcasting Corporation, and (2) X Internet Unlimited Company to discharge or vary the Anonymity Order made pursuant to paragraph 6 therein, together with the evidence filed in support (“the Applications”).

AND UPON THE PARTIES having stated in writing to the Court that they do not oppose the Applications to vary the anonymity order.

WITHOUT A HEARING pursuant to CPR 23.8(1)(b)

IT IS ORDERED that the Anonymity Order be varied as follows:

  1. Paragraphs 2 and 3 be varied by substitution of the following:
    “There shall be no publication in any report of these proceedings of the identity of the Defendant or of any matter likely to lead to his identification as the Defendant in these proceedings.
    PROVIDED THAT
    (1) Nothing in this Order is intended to or shall of itself have the effect of prohibiting the publication otherwise than in a report of these proceedings of:
    (i) any allegation of wrongdoing by the Defendant; and
    (ii) any investigation into, or other proceedings against, the Defendant.”
  2. Paragraph 4(i) be varied by substitution of the words “paragraph 2” in place of “sub paragraphs 3(i) to (ii)”.
  3. Paragraph 5 be varied by adding the words “and amended on 27 April 2026 by Order of Mrs Justice Steyn DBE”.
  4. The end of paragraph 6 be varied to add the words “and to Lewis Silkin LLP, Solicitors for X Internet Unlimited Company”.
  5. A new paragraph 9 be added as follows:
    “This Order shall cease to have effect if the Defendant:
    a. Dies;
    b. Is found liable in any civil proceedings or any adverse findings are made in regulatory proceedings relating to sexual misconduct by him;
    c. Is charged with any sexual, harassment or coercive control offence triable in the Crown Court.
  6. The Defendant shall pay the Applicants’ reasonable costs on the standard basis to be assessed if not agreed.
  7. This order and the Amended Anonymity Order shall be served by the Applicant on the Respondents.