Tooley v Associated Newspapers Ltd [2026] EWHC 549 (KB) (13 January 2026)

Tooley v Associated Newspapers Ltd [2026] EWHC 549 (KB) (13 January 2026)

There is no necessity to depart from the principle of open justice as the Norwich Pharmacal application does not require reference to private family law matters, and any irrelevant or inappropriate references will be prevented by the court.

Citation
[2026] EWHC 549 (KB)
Parties
Claimant: Cynthia Nkiruka Tooley; Defendant: Associated Newspapers Ltd; Norwich Pharmacal Respondent: Guardian News & Media Ltd; Interested Party: James Tooley
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
13 January 2026
Procedural Posture
Civil / Interlocutory Application (privacy/directions Hearing)
Outcome
Application for private hearing dismissed
Legal Topics
Open Justice, Norwich Pharmacal Orders, Privacy in Court Proceedings
Media Law Civil Procedure Open Justice Norwich Pharmacal Orders Privacy in Court Proceedings

Case Brief

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Parties

Cynthia Nkiruka Tooley

Claimant

Associated Newspapers Ltd

Defendant

Guardian News & Media Ltd

Norwich Pharmacal Respondent

James Tooley

Interested Party

Procedural Posture

Civil / Interlocutory Application (privacy/directions Hearing)

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the hearing should be held in private under CPR 39.2(3)
  2. 2 Whether family law proceedings justify privacy in a Norwich Pharmacal application

Ratio Decidendi

There is no necessity to depart from the principle of open justice as the Norwich Pharmacal application does not require reference to private family law matters, and any irrelevant or inappropriate references will be prevented by the court.

Court Disposition

Application for private hearing dismissed

Orders

  • The application for the hearing to be held in private is refused.