WXC -v- Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (anonymity order)

High CourtKing's Bench DivisionAnonymity Order

Claim number: KB-2026-002916

In the High Court of Justice
King’s Bench Division

17 August 2026

Before:

Master Stevens

Between:

(1) WXC
(a child, by her Litigation Friend, CXM)
(2) CXM
(Claimants)

-v-

Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
(Defendant)

Order

UPON the Claimants’ application dated 4th August 2026

UPON CONSIDERING the protective nature of the approval jurisdiction pursuant to r.21.10 of the Civil Procedure Rules 1998

AND UPON CONSIDERING the Article 8 rights of the Claimants to respect for private and family life and the risk of harm that identification may cause to the First Claimant

AND UPON CONSIDERING the importance of open justice and the Article 10 right to freedom of expression

AND UPON THE COURT CONCLUDING that non-disclosure of the Claimants’ identity is necessary to secure the proper administration of justice and in order to protect the First Claimant’s interests

IT IS ORDERED that

  1. The names of the First and Second Claimants and the First Claimant’s father are to be withheld in the statements of case, and in any judgments and orders in this claim, and for those purposes:
    (i) The Claimant shall be referred to as ‘WXC’;
    (ii) The Litigation Friend and Second Claimant shall be referred to as ‘CXM’;
    (iii) The Claimant’s father shall be referred to as ‘MXS’;
  2. The Claimants’ address on the claim form shall be substituted by the Claimants’ solicitor’s address.
  3. Any other details which, on their own or together with other information publicly available, may lead to the identification of the Claimants (including any names of other immediate family members of their addresses) shall be redatced before publication.
  4. No report, whether oral or in writing, or other communication in whatever form (including internet or social media) addressed to the public at large or any section of the public, of or concerning this claim which is published from the date of this order may include:
    (a) The name or address or school of the First Claimant;
    (b) Any particulars likely to lead to the identification of the Claimants;
    (c) Any image or likeness of the First Claimant;
  5. Any reports or other communications to the public which exist prior to the date of this order are not affected by this order.
  6. Pursuant to CPR Rules 5.4C and 5.4D:
    (i) A person who is not a party to the proceedings may not obtain a copy of a statement of case, judgment or order from the Court records unless the statement of case, judgment or order has been anonymised in accordance with subparagraphs 1 [and 2] above.
    (ii) If a person who is not a party to the proceedings applies (pursuant to CPR r.5.4C(2)) for permission to inspect or obtain a copy of any other document or communication, such application shall be on at least 7 days’ notice to the Claimant’s solicitor, trustee or deputy unless the court orders otherwise.
  7. The Claimant’s solicitor shall file with the Court copies of any existing statements of case anonymised in accordance with paragraph 1 and 2 above within 21 days of this Order.
  8. The Court file shall be clearly marked with the words “An anonymity order was made in this case on 17.08.2026 and any application by a non-party to inspect or obtain a copy document from this file must be dealt with in accordance with the terms of that Order.”
  9. Any interested party, whether or not a party to the proceedings, 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 Claimant’s solicitor, trustee or deputy.
  10. This order shall lapse automatically on the death of the First Claimant and its provisions shall have no effect from that time.
  11. Pursuant CPR 39.2(5) a copy 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.