Social Work England v Evans [2025] EWHC 188 (Admin) (30 January 2025)

Social Work England v Evans [2025] EWHC 188 (Admin) (30 January 2025)

The extension of the ICPO is justified due to the seriousness of the allegations, the ongoing risk to the public, the lack of remediation by the Defendant, and the delays being attributable to the Family Court, not the Claimant. The prejudice to the Defendant is outweighed by the need for public protection. Restriction on non-party access to documents is necessary to prevent jigsaw identification of children involved in related Family Court proceedings.

Citation
[2025] EWHC 188 (Admin)
Parties
Claimant: Social Work England; Defendant: Susan Okpani Evans
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
30 January 2025
Procedural Posture
Application to Extend Interim Conditions of Practice Order Under Social Workers Regulations 2018 / High Court Hearing on Extension of Interim Order
Outcome
Application granted
Legal Topics
Extension of Interim Orders, Social Worker Regulation, Public Protection, Open Justice, Court File Access Restrictions
Administrative Law Professional Regulation Extension of Interim Orders Social Worker Regulation Public Protection Open Justice Court File Access Restrictions

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Parties

Social Work England

Claimant

Susan Okpani Evans

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Application to Extend Interim Conditions of Practice Order Under Social Workers Regulations 2018 / High Court Hearing on Extension of Interim Order

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether to extend the Interim Conditions of Practice Order imposed on the Defendant
  2. 2 Whether the extension is necessary for the protection of the public and in the public interest
  3. 3 Whether to restrict non-party access to court documents under CPR 5.4C

Ratio Decidendi

The extension of the ICPO is justified due to the seriousness of the allegations, the ongoing risk to the public, the lack of remediation by the Defendant, and the delays being attributable to the Family Court, not the Claimant. The prejudice to the Defendant is outweighed by the need for public protection. Restriction on non-party access to documents is necessary to prevent jigsaw identification of children involved in related Family Court proceedings.

Court Disposition

Application granted

Orders

  • Interim Conditions of Practice Order extended to 3 September 2025
  • Any application by a non-party to obtain documents (other than claim form, judgment, or order given in public) under CPR 5.4C(2) must be made on 14 days' notice to the parties