Court’s power to grant anonymity orders in personal injury litigation to ensure the proper administration of justice (PMC v Cwm Taf Mogannwg UHB)
PI & Clinical Negligence analysis: The Court of Appeal has clarified the law on granting anonymity orders as part of the court’s inherent jurisdiction, overturning the first instance decision which had cast doubt on the guidance provided by the Court of Appeal in X v Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust, in which it established the general rule for granting anonymity orders made post-settlement in advance of approval hearings for protected parties in personal injury cases. At first instance, Mr Justice Nicklin held that the court had very limited powers to make an anonymity order in personal injury litigation and that it was not appropriate to make such an order in the case of PMC, where the claimant’s case had been much publicised in the press. Written by Robert Weir KC, barrister at Devereux Chambers.