Picker -v- TEW (anonymity order)

High CourtKing's Bench DivisionMedia and Communications ListAnonymity Order

Claim Number: KB-2023-003201

In the High Court of Justice
King’s Bench Division
Media and Communications List

2 August 2024

Before:
Master Dagnall

Between:
Vanessa Picker
-v-
TEW

Temporary Anonymity Order

UPON the Defendant’s application dated 31 May 2024 (the “Application”)

AND UPON the Defendant’s application dated 31 January 2024 for an order for anonymity remaining outstanding and being listed for hearing on 5 November 2024

AND UPON the Claimant having confirmed that she does not object to the present Application

AND UPON the Court considering the Application

AND UPON consideration of the Defendant’s Article 8 right to respect for private and family life and the Article 10 right to freedom of expression

AND UPON the Court considering provisionally that non-disclosure of the identity of the Defendant is necessary to protect the interests of the Defendant and to secure the proper administration of justice

AND UPON the Court considering further that not to temporarily anonymise the Defendant at this point might prejudice the purpose of the Defendant’s anonymity application

AND UPON reading a draft Consent Order signed by the parties regarding temporary anonymity

AND PURSUANT to the Civil Procedure Rules (“CPR”) 5.4C(4) and 39.2(4)

AND WITHOUT A HEARING

IT IS ORDERED THAT:

  1. As a temporary measure, pending the outcome of the Defendant’s anonymity application, a non-party may not obtain a copy of the claim form or any statements of case which are or may at any time be on the court file unless the claim form and any other statements of case on the court file have first been edited to remove any information which might enable the Defendant to be identified.
  2. Where copies of documents are requested, the redacted versions of the defence and anonymity application are to be provided. Where the request is for the claim form, particulars of claim and/or any other original documents where no previously redacted version exists, the Defendant’s name is to be redacted by the party who prepared the document in the first place with the Defendant’s name being replaced by the initials TEW.
  3. The Court File and the title of this claim is to be amended so as to show the Defendant by the initials TEW.
  4. Any non-party affected by the Order may apply on Notice to all parties to have this Order set aside or varied.
  5. An Anonymised copy of this Order shall be published on the website of the judiciary of England and Wales specifying that the Defendant shall be referred to as TEW
  6. This Order shall be reconsidered at the hearing of the Defendant’s anonymity application.
  7. Any party may apply on Notice to the other parties to have this order set aside or varied.