Justice accuses Government of seeking to establish blanket anonymity for “junior” civil servants – Local Government Lawyer

‘Law reform charity Justice has intervened on what it called a “principle of open justice”, to allege the Government wanted blanket anonymity for civil servants deemed ‘junior’ in documents disclosed in judicial review proceedings.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 16th November 2023

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Appeal confirms that persons unknown must identify themselves if they wish to challenge a bill of costs – Gatehouse Chambers

‘Dispute Resolution analysis: An appeal court has confirmed that a ‘person unknown’ who refused to identify himself during proceedings for breach of copyright was debarred from challenging a bill of costs in detailed assessment proceedings unless he identified himself.’

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Gatehouse Chambers, 4th October 2023

Source: gatehouselaw.co.uk

Egg and sperm donors in UK to lose right to anonymity at birth under new plans – The Guardian

Posted November 14th, 2023 in anonymity, assisted reproduction, birth, DNA, news by sally

‘People who donate sperm, eggs and embryos to help others have children will lose the right to anonymity from the moment the child is born, under proposed changes to UK fertility law.’

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The Guardian, 14th November 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Met officer charged with murder of Chris Kaba can be named, judge rules – The Guardian

Posted November 1st, 2023 in anonymity, firearms, London, media, murder, news, police by sally

‘The Metropolitan police officer charged with murder after Chris Kaba was shot dead can be named by the media, a judge has ruled.’

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The Guardian, 30th October 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

People born by egg or sperm donor in UK will be able to find out biological origins – The Guardian

Posted September 29th, 2023 in anonymity, birth, children, families, news by tracey

‘Changes to anonymity law mean people can apply to discover donor’s name, date of birth and address.’

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The Guardian, 19th September 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Anonymous litigant barred from bitcoin costs challenge – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted September 21st, 2023 in anonymity, costs, cryptocurrencies, news by sally

‘The absence of a specific procedure rule requiring a paying party’s name and address in costs assessment proceedings does not permit the party to conceal their identity from the court, an appeal judge has ruled.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 20th September 2023

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Speech by the Lord Chief Justice: Commonwealth Judges and Magistrates Conference 2023 – Courts & Tribunals Judiciary

Posted September 12th, 2023 in anonymity, civil justice, criminal justice, media, news, remote hearings, rule of law, speeches by tracey

‘Open Justice Today Commonwealth Judges and Magistrates Conference 2023.’

Full speech

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Courts & Tribunals Judiciary, 11th September 2023

Source: www.judiciary.uk

Lucy Letby trial: why the babies remain anonymous – The Guardian

‘The trial of Lucy Letby was conducted amid levels of press secrecy for victims and witnesses rarely seen outside proceedings involving matters of national security.’

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The Guardian, 18th August 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Contempt of court – yet more confusion and inconsistency over naming of guilty party – Transparency Project

‘This case has also revealed inconsistencies within and between a key practice direction and recently updated rules of court, and differences of approach between senior High Court judges. In these circumstances, it seems difficult to expect ordinary mortals to follow and understand the law, the key purpose of which is to prevent criminal penalties (including imprisonment) being imposed against someone in secret. It is particularly difficult because, as we discovered, the relevant rules and practice directions are not at all easy to find.’

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Transparency Project, 1st August 2023

Source: transparencyproject.org.uk

Family Division judge issues ruling on naming of magistrates and legal adviser – Local Government Lawyer

Posted July 27th, 2023 in anonymity, children, magistrates, media, murder, news, reporting restrictions by sally

‘The High Court has ruled that magistrates and a legal adviser involved in decisions on the care of a murdered child, Finley Boden, can be named by the media.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 27th July 2023

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

What’s in a name? “A lot”, the press would answer – 4 New Square

‘There has been a spate of recent cases where professionals involved as respondents in disciplinary proceedings have sought anonymity orders in their favour. Helen Evans KC and Richard O’Brien explore whether a divide is emerging between the approach adopted by courts compared with tribunals. They also look some of the practical pitfalls of anonymity orders protecting respondents, as well as considering the position of witnesses and other third parties.’

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4 New Square, July 2023

Source: www.4newsquare.com

No anonymity for contempt against family court – Transparency Project

‘The decision in EBK v DLO [2023] EWHC 1074 (Fam) was reported in the local press as “Royal marine fails in contempt proceedings against ex-partner”. The case involved a lengthy history of disputes over contact, allegations of domestic abuse, employment sanctions, and defamation actions taken against the police and Cafcass. Here, we look at important points on transparency that emerged.’

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Transparency Project, 6th June 2023

Source: transparencyproject.org.uk

Family Court reporting pilot “risks failure” without improvement in flow of information between court and press, says Family President – Local Government Lawyer

‘A review of the family court reporting pilot carried out by the Transparency Implementation Group (TIG) has highlighted “issues that require guidance”.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 5th June 2023

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Anonymisation of a young adult applicant for judicial review about section 20 – Transparency Project

‘There are two matters of interest in this unusual judgment by Mr Justice Mostyn in respect of a claim for judicial review brought by a teenager against a local authority, originally published on The National Archives as TT v Essex County Council [2023] EWHC 721 (Fam) but replaced as [2023] EWHC 826 (Admin).’

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Transparency Project, 10th April 2023

Source: transparencyproject.org.uk

Why we hardly ever see published family court judgments – Transparency Project

Posted April 3rd, 2023 in anonymity, children, families, family courts, judgments, judiciary, news by sally

‘Amidst the attention being paid to the courts in the Reporting Pilot, especially the series of broadcasts on the BBC Today programme by Sanchia Berg recently, other outputs from the President’s Transparency Implementation Group (TIG) have been slowly emerging.’

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Transparency Project, 31st March 2023

Source: transparencyproject.org.uk

Media get the go-ahead to report family proceedings – Law Society’s Gazette

‘Journalists will be able to report on family court proceedings for the first time as part of a new pilot in a “big cultural change” to the Family Division. The hope is that the Transparency Reporting Pilot, to be conducted at three courts, will improve transparency and accountability.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 19th January 2023

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Family Justice: Ostiis Apertis? – Transparency Project

Posted January 12th, 2023 in anonymity, family courts, financial provision, media, news, pilot schemes, privacy by sally

‘On 28 October 2021 the President published the outcome of his Transparency Review: Confidence and Confidentiality: Transparency in the Family Courts.’

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Transparency Project, 12th January 2023

Source: transparencyproject.org.uk

Solicitor can sue ex-firm for misuse of private WhatsApp messages – Legal Futures

‘A High Court master has rejected what he described as a law firm owner’s attempt to “stifle” a misuse of private information (MPI) claim by a junior solicitor he dismissed by applying to have her case struck out.’

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Legal Futures, 11th January 2023

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Covid loans secrecy is in the public interest, tribunal rules – Law Society’s Gazette

‘The public interest in preventing prejudice to commercial interests trumps the public interest in publishing details of recipients of emergency Covid loans, the First Tier Tribunal has ruled. In Spotlight on Corrupton & Anor v The Information Commissioner & The British Business Bank, tribunal judge Sophie Buckley rejected two appeals against the information commissioner’s decision not to require the British Business Bank to identify all the businesses that had taken out loans under four government schemes during the pandemic.’

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Law Society’s Gazette, 6th January 2023

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Names of UK Covid business loan borrowers to stay secret, tribunal rules – The Guardian

Posted January 6th, 2023 in anonymity, company law, coronavirus, fraud, government departments, loans, news by tracey

‘The British government has been given the go-ahead to keep concealing the names of companies that received in total more than £47bn in state-backed Covid loans, after a tribunal ruled in its favour.’

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The Guardian, 5th January 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com