LGM and others -v- HM Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills and another (anonymity order)

Administrative CourtHigh CourtKing's Bench DivisionAnonymity Order

Case number: AC-2024-LON-001806

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

In the matter of an application for judicial review

14 May 2026

Before:

The Hon. Mr Justice Mansfield

Between:

The King
on the application of
(1) LGM
(2) LGG
(3) LNY
(by their litigation friend LGG)
(Claimants)

-v-

(1) HM Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills
(2) Secretary of State for Education
(Defendants)

Order

On an application by the Claimants for orders restricting publicity

And upon the Court approving a consent order agreed between the parties staying the claim and giving directions as to the filing of an amended claim form and consequential directions thereafter

Following consideration of the documents lodged by the Claimants and the Defendants

ORDER by the Hon. Mr Justice Mansfield:

  1. Anonymity: Until the issue is considered further by the Court at the permission stage:

(a) Under the Court’s inherent jurisdiction and pursuant to 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 Claimants are to be referred to orally and in writing as “LGM”, “LGG” and “LNY”.

(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 and serve a redacted copy of any statement of case already 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 and must then be served with the unredacted version;

(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.

REASONS

I have made a consent order today staying the claim and dealing with directions for filing of an amended Claim Form and further directions thereafter. This order deals with the Claimants’ application for anonymity orders. Those orders are not consented to, and even if the Defendants consented the Court has a duty to consider the broader public interest and the necessity of any derogation from the principles of open justice.

I have no hesitation in ordering anonymity in respect of the Second and Third Claimants. The Third Claimant is a minor, and the Second Claimant is her mother (whose identification would clearly identify the Third Claimant). There are accordingly compelling reasons for the limited derogations from the principle of open justice in paragraph 1.

The case for anonymity for the First Claimant is less clear cut. The First Claimant raises some cogent points, but there is a strong public interest in open justice. However, I am mindful that the claim was issued on a protective basis and that as a result of further communications during the stay period the claim may be reformulated or may prove not to be pursued at all. If the claim proceeds, the question of anonymity should be considered further in the light of any amended claim and a full AOS.

Any publicity at this stage would defeat the purpose of any such further consideration. I do make an anonymity order in favour of the First Claimant at this stage to protect the position until the case is considered at the position stage. The judge at that stage can consider the anonymity issue afresh. For the avoidance of doubt, I intend that consideration to be de novo as I have only made an order to preserve the position in the short term: no party will need to show a material change of circumstances for a departure from my order.

Signed: Mr Justice Mansfield

Dated: 14 May 2026