Baroness Lawrence & Ors v Associated Newspapers Ltd (Approved Rulings) [2025] EWHC 3237 (KB) (26 November 2025)

Baroness Lawrence & Ors v Associated Newspapers Ltd (Approved Rulings) [2025] EWHC 3237 (KB) (26 November 2025)

The evidence provided by the Claimants in support of anonymity for Berlin was general, speculative, and not objectively substantiated. There was no clear and cogent evidence of a real and immediate risk to Berlin or his family, nor was anonymity necessary or effective to mitigate the alleged risks. The public...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2025] EWHC 3237 (KB)
Parties
Claimant: Baroness Lawrence of Clarendon OBE; Claimant: Elizabeth Hurley; Claimant: Sir Elton John CH CBE; Claimant: David Furnish; Claimant: Sir Simon Hughes; Claimant: Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex; Claimant: Sadie Frost Law; Defendant: Associated Newspapers Limited
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
26 November 2025
Procedural Posture
Civil / Pre Trial Review and Interlocutory Applications
Outcome
Application for anonymity refused; permission to amend pleadings refused for two proposed amendments; application for further disclosure granted; permission to appeal refused; temporary reporting restriction order continued pending any renewed application to the Court of Appeal.
Legal Topics
Open Justice, Anonymity Orders, Disclosure, Amendment of Pleadings, Reporting Restrictions, Article 8 ECHR, Article 10 ECHR, Article 2 and 3 ECHR, Unlawful Information Gathering
Media Law Civil Procedure Human Rights Open Justice Anonymity Orders Disclosure Amendment of Pleadings Reporting Restrictions +4 more

Source-derived case record

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

More case intelligence is available

Unlock the full research layer for this judgment.

Full judgment text Downloadable case file Legal principles 5 Authorities cited 26 Party arguments 2 Amounts and remedies 3
Sign in to unlock

Parties

Baroness Lawrence of Clarendon OBE

Claimant

Elizabeth Hurley

Claimant

Sir Elton John CH CBE

Claimant

David Furnish

Claimant

Sir Simon Hughes

Claimant

Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex

Claimant

Sadie Frost Law

Claimant

Associated Newspapers Limited

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Civil / Pre Trial Review and Interlocutory Applications

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the witness 'Berlin' should be granted anonymity and reporting restrictions
  2. 2 Whether permission should be granted to amend the Particulars of Claim to add allegations regarding Nicole Lampert and Jonathan Stafford
  3. 3 Whether further disclosure should be ordered regarding payments to Lee Harpin

Ratio Decidendi

The evidence provided by the Claimants in support of anonymity for Berlin was general, speculative, and not objectively substantiated. There was no clear and cogent evidence of a real and immediate risk to Berlin or his family, nor was anonymity necessary or effective to mitigate the alleged risks. The public interest in open justice and the identification of witnesses outweighed the speculative fears advanced. The proposed amendments to the pleadings were late, weak, and speculative, lacking a strong prima facie case and would cause disproportionate disruption. However, further disclosure regarding payments to Lee Harpin was ordered as it was relevant to the pleaded issues and would have...

Court Disposition

Application for anonymity refused; permission to amend pleadings refused for two proposed amendments; application for further disclosure granted; permission to appeal refused; temporary reporting restriction order continued pending any renewed application to the Court of Appeal.

Orders

  • Application for anonymity for Berlin refused.
  • Permission to amend pleadings to add allegations regarding Nicole Lampert and Jonathan Stafford refused.