KBC -v- The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (anonymity order)

Administrative CourtHigh CourtKing's Bench DivisionAnonymity Order

Claim number: AC-2025-LON-004483

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

7 January 2026

Before:

The Hon. Ms Justice Norton

Between:

THE KING on the application of
KBC

-v-

THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF VETERINARY SURGEONS

and

THE PRESS ASSOCIATION
(Interested party)

Order

On an application by the Claimant for a withholding order and reporting restriction

Following consideration of the documents lodged by the Claimant

ORDER BY THE HON. MS JUSTICE NORTON

  1. Anonymity:
    (a) Pursuant to CPR 39.2(4) and/or the Court’s inherent jurisdiction and/or 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 permitted to issue these proceedings naming the Claimant as KBC and giving an address c/o the Claimant’s solicitors;
    (iii) 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.
    (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 a redacted copy of any statement of case 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;
    (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. Abridgement of time and expedition:
    (a) The Defendant’s Acknowledgement of Service (CPR 54.8), must be filed and served by 4pm on 21 January.
    (b) Any Acknowledgment of Service from the Interested Party must be filed and served by 4pm on 21 January;
    (c) Any Reply from the Claimant (CPR 54.8A) must be filed and served by 4pm on 28 January.
    (d) The papers are to be referred to a judge or deputy judge as soon as possible thereafter, and in any event within 7 days.

Reasons

  1. Anonymity: The Claimant is the subject of disciplinary proceedings before the Defendant (his professional body) consequent upon his conviction for criminal offences at the Basildon Crown Court. In the course of those proceedings, on 5 November 2025 the Claimant made an application for anonymity due to the allegedly deleterious effect that publication would have on his mental health. In a written judgment delivered on 6 November, the Defendant refused the application. It is that refusal that the Claimant seeks permission to judicially review. Anonymity is granted at this stage, as set out in the order above, to preserve the position pending a decision on permission. I consider that were I to refuse this application, it would defeat the purpose of the Judicial Review proceedings which would be rendered academic. Any derogation from open justice is however exceptional. Although I have made an interim order for the reasons given, this is to preserve the position. Whether the order should be maintained should be considered by the judge at the permission stage.
  2. Abridgement of time/expedition: The proceedings in which the Claimant and Defendant are engaged are on-going, but have been adjourned pending the outcome of the substantive application. Early determination of the application is desirable in both the Claimant’s interest and the public interest.