Vanessa Picker -v- TEW (anonymity order)

High CourtKing's Bench DivisionMedia and Communications ListAnonymity Order

Claim No. KB-2023-003201

In the High Court of Justice
King’s Bench Division

Media and Communications List

4 November 2024

Before:

Master Dagnall

Between:

Vanessa Picker

-v-

TEW


……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

EXTENDED TEMPORARY ANONYMITY ORDER

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

UPON the Court ordering temporary anonymity for the Defendant on 2 August 2024 (the “Temporary Anonymity Order”), having considered the Defendant’s application dated 31 May 2024 and the Claimant’s confirmation that she did not object

AND UPON the Defendant’s application dated 31 January 2024 (the “Anonymity Application”) for an order for permanent anonymity remaining outstanding and being listed for hearing on 5 November 2024

AND UPON the parties requesting the Court to vacate the hearing listed for 5 November 2024 and to defer the hearing of the Anonymity Application to the trial judge

AND UPON the parties further requesting the Court to extend the Temporary Anonymity Order to the handing down of judgment after trial

AND UPON the Court being satisfied that no objection has been raised by any non-party to the Temporary Anonymity Order

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

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 further that not to temporarily anonymise the Defendant pending the outcome of the Anonymity Application might prejudice its purpose

AND UPON reading a draft Consent Order signed by the parties regarding the extension of the Temporary Anonymity Order

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 or further order, 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. Subject to paragraph 4, this Order shall be reconsidered at the hearing of the Defendant’s Anonymity Application at trial.
  7. Any party may apply on Notice to the other parties to have this order set aside or varied.
  8. Costs in the anonymity applications reserved to the trial judge.

Dated this 4th November 2024