Vanessa 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

30 April 2026

Before:

The Honourable Mrs Justice Steyn DBE

Between:

Vanessa Picker
(Claimant)

-v-

TEW
(Defendant)

Order

UPON the Claimant’s defamation claim issued on 8 August 2023.

AND UPON the Temporary Anonymity Order dated 2 August 2024 (“the Temporary Anonymity Order”), and the Extended Temporary Anonymity Order dated 4 November 2024 (“the Extended Temporary Anonymity Order”), made by Master Dagnall.

AND UPON the Claimant’s applications:
(1) By Notice dated 20 November 2025 seeking to set aside the Temporary Anonymity Order and the Extended Temporary Anonymity Orders (“the Temporary Anonymity Set Aside Application”)
(2) By Notice dated 12 January 2026 for permission to rely on an inadvertently disclosed document (‘the Inadvertent Disclosure Application”)
(3) By Notice dated 22 March 2026 for a costs capping order (“the Costs Capping Application”)

AND UPON the Defendant’s Application by Notice dated 5 March 2026 seeking to vary the terms of the Extended Temporary Anonymity Order to include a Reporting Restriction Order pursuant to s.11 of the Contempt of Court Act 1981 (“the RRO Application”)

AND UPON the Order of the Honourable Mrs Justice Steyn DBE dated 17 April 2026 ordering, amongst other things, the Temporary Anonymity Set Aside Application, the RRO Application, the Inadvertent Disclosure Application and the Costs Capping Application listed for hearing before a Judge (or Deputy Judge) of the Media and Communications List at 10am on 30 April 2026, and ordering two further hearings on 14 May 2026 and 20 May 2026 to consider the Claimant’s further applications.

AND UPON hearing Counsel for the Defendant and hearing the Claimant in person at a hearing on 30 April 2026

IT IS ORDERED THAT:

(A) The Temporary Anonymity and RRO Applications

  1. The Temporary Anonymity Set Aside Order is dismissed. Pursuant to s.6 of the Human Rights Act 1998 and/or CPR r39.2, it is strictly necessary for the Defendant to continue to be anonymised in these proceedings, as a temporary measure, to be revisited at trial, in accordance with the terms of the Extended Temporary Anonymity Order (as varied by paragraph 2 of this Order).
  2. The RRO Application is granted, as a temporary measure, and will be revisited at trial. The Extended Temporary Anonymity Order shall be varied to include the following provision:

    “pursuant to s.11 of the Contempt of Court Act 1981, there shall be no publication of the identity of the Defendant or of any matter likely to lead to the identification of the Defendant in any report of, or otherwise in connection with, these proceedings, provided that nothing in this Order shall prevent the publication, disclosure or communication of any information which is contained in this Order or in any public judgment of the Court.”
  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. Any person affected by the terms of the Extended Anonymity Order (as varied by paragraph 2 of this Order) 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 parties.
  5. Pursuant CPR 39.2(5) a copy of paragraphs 1- 5 of this Order shall be published on the website of the Judiciary of England and Wales (www.judiciary.uk). For that purpose, a court officer will send a copy of the order by email to the Judicial Office at judicialwebupdates@judiciary.uk.