Yalland & Ors v Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union

Reference: [2017]EWHC 629

Date of judgment: 2 Mar 2017

Summary: Anonymity for claimants challenging the government’s alleged decision to leave the EEA without an Act of Parliament

Appearances: Aidan Eardley KC (Intervening Party) 

Instructing Solicitors: Media organisations

Facts

4 claimants sought permission to judicially review an alleged decision by the government to leave the EEA without an Act of Parliament. They applied for anonymity. A number of media organisations intervened in writing, opposing the application.

Issue

Whether anonymity should be granted.

Held

Application granted. A person seeking to challenge the conduct of the government on the ground that it was unlawful should normally be expected to do so openly. In the present case however there was a real risk of the claimants being exposed to violence and publication of their names would add little to a proper understanding of the proceedings and the issues involved.