Wikimedia Foundation -v- Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology

Administrative CourtHigh CourtKing's Bench DivisionOrder

Claim number: AC-2025-LON-001365

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

11 June 2025

Before:

Mr Justice Swift

Between:

Wikimedia Foundation
(a charitable foundation registered in the United States of America)

-v-

Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology

Order

UPON CONSIDERING applications (a) by a person wishing to be added as a second claimant to the proceedings; (b) by the proposed Second Claimant, for permission to file and serve a witness statement dated 20 May 2025; (c) by the proposed Second Claimant for anonymity; (d) by the proposed Second Claimant that his/her name and address be withheld from the parties in these proceedings.

AND UPON CONSIDERING an application by the First Claimant and the proposed Second Claimant for permission to file an and serve an amended the Claim Form and Statement of Facts and Grounds.

AND UPON CONSIDERING the documents filed by the First Claimant, the proposed Second Claimant and the Defendant.

AND UPON the Defendant not opposing the applications.

AND UPON the First Claimant consenting to the applications referred to in the first recital above.

IT IS ORDERED THAT

  1. The applications are allowed.
  2. The Second Claimant shall be referred to in these proceedings as BLN. Pursuant to CPR 39.2(4), s. 6 Human Rights Act 1998, and s. 11 Contempt of Court Act 1981, and there shall be no publication of the identity of the Second Claimant as a party to these proceedings, or of any matter likely to lead to the identification of the Second Claimant as a party to these proceedings in any report of, or otherwise in connection with, these proceedings.
  3. The Second Claimant has permission to file and serve the witness statement dated 20 May 2025 in accordance with this paragraph.
    (a) A confidential version of the statement (“the confidential statement”), which includes the name, address of the Second Claimant and is signed by the Second Claimant, shall be filed with the court in hard copy only in an envelope marked “confidential”. The confidential version of the statement will be stored securely in the Administrative Court office.
    (b) A non-confidential version of the statement (which omits the Second Claimant’s name, address and signature – “the non-confidential statement”) shall be filed and served.
  4. No copy of the confidential statement will be provided to the parties, save on application and with the permission of the Court.
  5. No copy of the confidential statement shall be provided to any person not a party to the proceedings, save on application and with the permission of the court.
  6. Any application under paragraph 4 or 5 above shall be made on notice to the Second Claimant.
  7. Costs in the case.