QAS -v- Liverpool City Council (anonymity order)

Administrative CourtHigh CourtKing's Bench DivisionAnonymity Order

Case number: AC-2025-MAN-000351

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

In the matter of an application for judicial review

15 August 2025

Before:

Karen Ridge,
sitting as a Deputy Judge of the High Court

Between:

The King
on the application of
QAS

-v-

Liverpool City Council

Order

On an application by the Claimant for expedition, anonymity and interim relief

Following consideration of the documents lodged by the Claimant

ORDER by Karen Ridge sitting as a Deputy Judge of the High Court

Anonymity

  1. (a) Pursuant to CPR 39.2(4) and/or the Court’s inherent jurisdiction and/or 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 Claimant is to be referred to orally and in writing as QAS.

    (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 a redacted copy of any statement of case 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;
    (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.

    (e) This order will be reviewed (a) at the stage when a decision is made on whether permission should be granted; and (b) after final determination of the claim.
  2. The acknowledgement of service shall be filed and served within 14 days of the date of this order.
  3. The Claimant’s applications for interim relief, directions and permission shall be placed before a judge as soon as possible after receipt of the Acknowledgment of Service or after 14 days from the date of this Order whichever is the sooner.
  4. Costs reserved.

Observations

  1. The Claimant has challenged the lawfulness of an age assessment conducted by the Defendant on 19 June 2025.
  2. I am not minded to make any orders (including the interim relief sought) beyond anonymity and expedition without giving the Defendant an opportunity to file and serve an Acknowledgment of Service. However, given the Claimant’s concerns and claim to be 16 years old, I have abridged time as set out above.

Signed: Karen Ridge
15 August 2025