LDF and another -v- Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board and another (anonymity order)
In the High Court of Justice
King’s Bench Division
Cardiff District Registry
4 February 2026
Before:
The Honourable Mr Justice Ritchie
Between:
LDF
MDF
-v-
Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board
North Bristol NHS Trust
Order
Before the Honourable Mr Justice Ritchie remotely via Teams on 4.2.2026.
UPON HEARING Leading Counsel on behalf of the Claimants, the Defendants not attending.
AND UPON the application notice dated 20th January 2026 for anonymity.
AND UPON the Court noting that the position of the Defendants in respect of the making of his order is neutral.
AND UPON:
1) Consideration of the ECHR Article 8 rights of the Claimant to respect for private and family life, and the Article 10 right to freedom of expression.
2) Consideration of section 11 of the Contempt of Court Act 1981; Section 39 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933; CPR rules 5.4 and 39.2 and the Court’s inherent jurisdiction.
3) Consideration of the decisions in PMC v A Local Health Board [2024] EWHC 2969 (KB) and JXMX v Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust [2015] EWCA Civ. 96.
4) It appearing that non-disclosure of the identity of the Claimants and their child is necessary to secure the proper administration of justice and in order to protect the interests of the Claimants and their child and that there is no sufficient countervailing public interest in disclosure.
5) The Defendants indicating there are no objections to the Claimants’ application for anonymity and there being no representations from the press or any other interested party.
6) The Court accepting the Claimants’ evidence that there have been no requests for copies of the documents filed to date at Court by members of the public or the press and there have been no press reports of the claim to date.
AND WHEREAS for the purposes of this order:
1. ‘Publication’ includes any speech, writing, broadcast, or other communication in whatever form (including internet and social media), which is addressed to the public at large or any section of the public.
2. Publication for the purpose of this order includes any further publication (as defined in subparagraph (1) above) from the date of this order, even if such information has derived from a previous stage or stages of these proceedings.
AND UPON The Court further concluding that it is necessary to make a withholding order.
NOW IT IS ORDERED THAT:
1. The names of the Claimants and their child are to be withheld in the statements of case, and in any judgments and orders in this claim, and for those purposes:
a) The First Claimant shall be referred to as LDF.
b) The Second Claimant shall be referred to as MDF.
c) The Child shall be referred to as WDF
2. The Claimants’ addresses on the claim form shall be replaced by the Claimant’s solicitor’s address.
3. 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, or concerning this claim which is published from the date of this order may include:
- The name or address (or school / workplace) of the Claimants or their child
- Any particulars likely to lead to the identification of the Claimants or their child
- Any image or likeness of the Claimants or their child
4. Any reports or communications to the public which exist prior to the date of this order are not affected.
5. Pursuant to CPR Rules 5.4C and 5.4D:
a) A person who is not a party to the proceedings may not obtain a copy of a statement of case, judgment or order from the Court records unless the statement of case, judgment or order has been anonymised in accordance with subparagraph 1 above
b) If a person who is not a party to the proceedings applies (pursuant to CPR r 5.4C (2) for permission to inspect or obtain a copy of any other document or communication, such application shall be on at least 7 days’ notice to the Claimants’ solicitor unless the court orders otherwise
6. The Claimants’ solicitor shall file with the Court copies of any existing statements of case anonymised in accordance with paragraph 1 above within 28 days of the date of this order.
7. The Court file shall be clearly marked with the words “An anonymity order was made in this case on 4 February 2026 and any application by a non-party to inspect or obtain a copy document from this file must be dealt with in accordance with the terms of that Order.”
8. Any interested party, whether or not a party to the proceedings, may apply to the Court to vary or discharge this Order, provided that any such application is made on 7 days’ notice to the Claimants’ solicitor.
9. This order shall lapse automatically on the death of the Claimants’ child and its provisions shall have no effect from that time.
10. The costs of the application are in the case.