Baroness Lawrence of Clarendon OBE & Ors v Associated Newspapers Limited

Baroness Lawrence of Clarendon OBE & Ors v Associated Newspapers Limited

The application for anonymity was refused because the evidence was general, speculative, and not objectively substantiated; it did not meet the threshold for derogation from open justice. The two proposed amendments were refused as late, weak, and lacking real prospects of success. The application for further disclosure relating to payments to Lee Harpin was granted as it was targeted, relevant to propensity, and would have been disclosed had Harpin been treated as a TPI.

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
12 November 2025
Procedural Posture
Civil / Pre Trial Review; Applications for Anonymity, Amendments, and Disclosure
Outcome
Application for anonymity refused; permission to amend refused; further disclosure ordered.
Legal Topics
Open Justice, Witness Anonymity, Disclosure, Amendment of Pleadings, Article 8 ECHR, Article 2 and 3 ECHR, Unlawful Information Gathering
Civil Procedure Media Law Human Rights Open Justice Witness Anonymity Disclosure Amendment of Pleadings Article 8 ECHR +2 more

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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; Applications for Anonymity, Amendments, and Disclosure

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the witness 'Berlin' should be granted anonymity in proceedings
  2. 2 Whether permission should be granted for two proposed amendments to the Particulars of Claim
  3. 3 Whether further disclosure relating to payments to Lee Harpin should be ordered

Ratio Decidendi

The application for anonymity was refused because the evidence was general, speculative, and not objectively substantiated; it did not meet the threshold for derogation from open justice. The two proposed amendments were refused as late, weak, and lacking real prospects of success. The application for further disclosure relating to payments to Lee Harpin was granted as it was targeted, relevant to propensity, and would have been disclosed had Harpin been treated as a TPI.

Court Disposition

Application for anonymity refused; permission to amend refused; further disclosure ordered.

Orders

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