RKC and others -v- Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs (anonymity order)

Administrative CourtHigh CourtKing's Bench DivisionAnonymity OrderOrder

Case number: AC-2025-LON-00218

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

17 July 2025

In the matter of an application for judicial review

Before:

Mr Justice Johnson

Between:

The King on the application of

(1) RKC1
(2) RKC2
(3) RKC3
(4) RKC4
(5) RKC5
(6) RKC6
(7) RKC7
(RKC6 and RKC7 children by their litigation friend RKC1)

-v-

Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs
Defendant

Anonymity Order

On an application by the claimants for anonymity and expedition

Following consideration of the documents lodged by the claimants

And upon the court being satisfied that non-disclosure of the identity of the Claimant is necessary in order to protect the interests of the Claimant, pursuant to rule 39.2(4) of the Civil Procedure Rules and section 11 of the
Contempt of Court Act 1981 and rules 5.4C of the Civil Procedure Rules

ORDER by Mr Justice Johnson
Anonymity

  1. The Claimants’ names and the name of the First Claimant’s wife, ex-wife and twin daughters are to be withheld from the public and must not be disclosed in any proceedings in open court.
  2. There is to be substituted for all purposes in these proceedings in place of references to the Claimants by name, and whether orally or in writing, references to their respective ciphers:
    a. The First Claimant’s cipher is to be “RKC1”.
    b. The Second Claimant’s cipher is to be “RKC2”.
    c. The Third Claimant’s cipher is to be “RKC3”.
    d. The Fourth Claimant’s cipher is to be “RKC4”.
    e. The Fifth Claimant’s cipher is to be “RKC5”.
    f. The Sixth Claimant’s cipher is to be “RKC6”.
    g. The Seventh Claimant’s cipher is to be “RKC7”.
  3. The First Claimant’s wife will be known for all purposes in these proceedings in place of references to her by name, and whether orally or in writing, by the cipher “DE”
  4. The First Claimant’s twin daughters will be known for all purposes in these proceedings in place of references to them by name, and whether orally or in writing, by the ciphers “T1” and “T2”.
  5. The First Claimant’s ex-wife will be known for all purposes in these proceedings in place of references to them by name, and whether orally or in writing, by the cipher “FG”.
  6. Pursuant to s.11 Contempt of Court Act 1981 and CPR Rule 39.2(4), there must be no publication of the identity of the Claimants or the First Claimant’s wife, ex-wife or twin daughters or any matter likely to lead
    to the identification of the Claimants or the First Claimant’s wife, ex-wife or twin daughters in any report of, or otherwise in connection with, these proceedings.
  7. Pursuant to CPR 5.4C:
    a. The parties must, when filing any statement of case, also file a redacted copy of the statement of case omitting the name, address and any other information which could lead to the identification of the Claimants or First Claimant’s wife, ex-wife or twin daughters.
    b. Unless the Court grants permission no non-party may obtain an unredacted copy of any statement of case or any other document which would identify Claimants or First Claimant’s wife, ex-wife or twin daughters, and any application for permission must be made on notice to the parties.
  8. Paragraphs 1 to 7 of this Order shall be known as the “Anonymity Provisions”.
  9. Any person affected by the Anonymity Provisions may apply on notice to set them aside or vary them.

    Expedition
  10. The defendant is to file an acknowledgement of service and summary grounds, and any submissions in support of the application for further expedition, by 4pm on 8 July 2025.
  11. The papers are to be put back before a judge on 9 July 2025 to consider the application for permission to claim judicial review and/or whether to direct a rolled-up hearing, and the application for expedition.
  12. The defendant has permission to apply to set aside or vary paragraph 10 of this order. Any such application must be made by 10am on 9 July 2025. If such an application is made, it will, if possible, be heard at 2pm
    on 9 July 2025.
  13. Costs reserved.

    Reasons
    There is very significant urgency, but I am not willing to make an order for a rolled-up hearing without the defendant first having an opportunity to make representations. I have provided for an exceptionally short timetable for that to happen. That will still enable a hearing to be listed this term.