Matthew Duffy -v- Jockey Club Racecourses Limited (anonymity order)

High CourtKing's Bench DivisionAnonymity Order

Claim number: KB-2023-004110

In the High Court of Justice
King’s Bench Division

24 November 2025

Before:

Elizabeth O’Neill,
sitting as a deputy High Court Judge

Between:

Mr Matthew Foxton Duffy

-v-

Jockey Club Racecourses Limited

Anonymity order

BEFORE Elizabeth O’Neill sitting as a deputy High Court Judge at the Royal Courts of Justice (Court 20), The Strand, London on Monday 24 November 2025

UPON HEARING Counsel for the Claimant (Mr Finlay) and Counsel for the Defendant (Mr Hamill) and upon hearing from a member of the Press Association

AND UPON the parties raising with the court the anonymity of third parties mentioned in evidence, who, absent any orders being made, could be identified in relation to allegations of sexual abuse, and it appearing to the Court the said third parties identities should not be disclosed without their express consent (none having been obtained)

AND UPON CONSIDERING the Article 8 rights of the Claimant and the said third parties to respect for private and family life and the risk of harm that identification may cause to the third parties

AND UPON CONSIDERING the Article 6 right to a fair trial in respect of possible future proceedings

AND UPON CONSIDERING the importance of open justice and the Article 10 right to freedom of expression

AND UPON the Claimant, having been advised of his rights, and consenting to his name being published in connection with allegations that he was a victim of sexual abuse, but upon the court considering that non-disclosure of the third parties identity is necessary to secure the proper administration of justice and in order to protect their respective interests in each case

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

IT IS ORDERED that

  1. The names of any alleged victim of sexual abuse (other than the Claimant) identified or referred to in the witness evidence and in the expert evidence in this matter are to be withheld from and redacted in the witness and expert evidence and any documents in the court bundle. The name of any alleged perpetrator is similarly to be withheld and redacted.
  2. 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 any reference to any alleged victim (other than the Claimant) or to any alleged perpetrator of sexual abuse referred to in the witness and in the expert evidence, nor contain any particulars likely to identify any of these individuals, in each case.
  3. Any reports or other communications to the public which exist prior to the date of this order are not affected by this order.
  4. 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, witness statement, medical report or judgment or order from the Court records unless the statement of case, judgment or order has been anonymised in accordance with paragraph 1 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, which has been referred to in oral evidence, such documents or communication will not be released until they have been redacted in accordance with this order.
  5. The Claimant and/or Defendant’s solicitor shall file with the Court copies of any documents that require redaction by no later than 4pm Friday 28 November 2025
  6. The Court file shall be clearly marked with the words “An anonymity order was made in this case on Monday 24 November 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.”
  7. 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.