LHE -v- Leicester City Council (anonymity order)

Administrative CourtHigh CourtKing's Bench DivisionAnonymity Order

Claim number: AC-2026-BHM-000257

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

22 July 2026

Before:

His Honour Judge Najib

Between:

THE KING on the application of
LHE

-v-

Leicester City Council

Order

UPON an application by the Claimant for interim relief and other orders

AND UPON considering the documents lodged by the Claimant including the Judicial Review Claim Form and accompanying documents and the N244 Application Notice dated 26 June 2026

ORDER by HIS HONOUR JUDGE NAJIB sitting as a Judge of the High Court in the King’s Bench Division

  1. Pursuant to CPR r. 39.2(4) the Claimant is granted anonymity and is to be referred to as “LHE”. The identity of the Claimant shall not be disclosed outside of these proceedings. There shall not be disclosed in any report of the proceedings the name or address of the Claimant or any details leading to the identification of the Claimant. This application shall be known and listed only as ‘LHE v Leicester City Council’. A non-party may not obtain or inspect a copy of any Statement of Case or any other document filed with the Court and to which a non-party may have access pursuant to CPR 5.4A-D or otherwise, unless it has been produced or edited so as to comply with this order and/or the Court directs otherwise.
  2. Pursuant to CPR 21.2(3) the Claimant has permission to conduct these proceedings without the appointment of a Litigation Friend.
  3. The application to abridge time for the Defendant to file an Acknowledgement of Service is refused.
  4. The application for interim relief is adjourned to be dealt with when the Court considers the application for permission to apply for Judicial Review.
  5. Costs reserved.

REASONS

(i) There is a factual dispute as to whether the Claimant is a child or an adult. In the circumstances and erring on the side of caution, I am satisfied that non-disclosure of the identity of the Claimant is necessary to secure the proper administration of justice and in order to protect the interests of the Claimant and that there is no countervailing public interest in disclosure.

(ii) On the Claimant’s own account, he is now aged 17 years and 10 months. His Solicitors are satisfied that he is able to understand and consider any advice given to him and to give appropriate instructions. I am satisfied that he is able to conduct this claim without the need of a Litigation Friend.

(iii) The Defendant must file an Acknowledgement of Service not more than 21 days after service of the Judicial Review Claim Form (CPR 54.8(2)). The Judicial Review Claim Form was served on the Defendant on 1 July 2026. The Acknowledgement of Service is, therefore, due to be filed imminently. In the circumstances, no purpose is served in abridging time.

(iv) Upon receipt of the Defendant’s Acknowledgment of Service or the expiry of the time within which it is due, the papers will be referred to a Judge to consider the application for permission to apply for Judicial Review and for interim relief.