LFC -v- JD Wetherspoon (anonymity order)

High CourtKing's Bench DivisionAnonymity Order

Claim number: KB-2024-001642

In the High Court of Justice
King’s Bench Division

8 October 2025

Before:

Deputy Master Toogood KC

Between:

LFC

-v-

JD Wetherspoon Plc

Order

Before Deputy Master Toogood KC at the King’s Bench Division, Royal Courts of Justice, Strand, London WC2A 2LL on 8.10.2025

AND UPON hearing counsel for the Claimant counsel for the Defendant

AND UPON the application notice dated 13th November 2024

AND UPON CONSIDERING the Article 8 rights of the Claimant and dependants of the deceased to respect for private and family life and the risk of harm that identification may cause to the Claimant and dependants of the deceased.
AND UPON CONSIDERING the importance of open justice and the Article 10 right to freedom of expression

AND UPON THE COURT CONCLUDING that non-disclosure of the Claimant’s and dependants of the deceased identity is necessary to secure the proper administration of justice and in order to protect the Claimant’s and dependants of the deceased’s interests

AND UPON THE COURT FURTHER CONCLUDING that it is necessary to make a reporting restriction order

IT IS ORDERED that

  1. The name[s] of the Claimant and the dependants of the deceased are to be withheld in the statements of case, and in any judgments and orders in this claim, and for those purposes:
    a. The Claimant shall be referred to as “LFC”.
    b. The First Minor Dependant shall be referred to as “MRO”
    c. The Second Minor Dependant shall be referred to as “MWR”
    d. The Third Minor Dependant shall be referred to as “MAF”
  2. The Claimant’s address on the claim form shall be substituted 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, of or concerning this claim which is published from the date of this order may include:
    (a) The name or address or workplace of the Claimant;
    (b) The name or address or school of the dependants of the Deceased;
    (c) Any particulars likely to lead to the identification of the Claimant or Dependants of the deceased;
    (d) Any image or likeness of the Claimant or Dependants of the deceased
  4. Any reports or other communications to the public which exist prior to the date of this order are not affected by this order.
  5. Pursuant to CPR Rules 5.4C and 5.4D:
    (i) 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 subparagraphs 1 [and 2] above.
    (ii) 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 Claimant’s solicitor, trustee or deputy unless the court orders otherwise.
  6. The Claimant’s solicitor shall file with the Court copies of any existing statements of case anonymised in accordance with paragraph 1 and 2 above by [date – 21 days from date of the order].
  7. The Court file shall be clearly marked with the words “An anonymity order was made in this case on 8th October 2025 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 set aside this Order, provided that any such application is made on 7 days’ notice to the Claimant’s solicitor, trustee or deputy.
  9. This order shall lapse automatically on the death of the Claimant and Dependants of the deceased and its provisions shall have no effect from that time.
  10. Pursuant CPR 39.2(5) a copy of this Order shall be published on the website of the Judiciary of England and Wales (www.judiciary.uk). For that purpose, a court officer will send a copy of the order by email to the Judicial Office at judicialwebupdates@judiciary.uk.

Dated this 8th Day of October 2025