“16. The fundamental principles of open justice remain clearly and succinctly set out in the Master of the Rolls' Practice Guidance (Interim Non-Disclosure Orders)[2012] 1 WLR 1003 : [10] Derogations from the general principle can only be justified in exceptional circumstances, when they are strictly necessary as measures to secure the proper administration of justice. They are wholly exceptional: R -v- Chief Registrar of Friendly Societies, ex parte New Cross Building Society[1984] QB 227 , 235; Donald -v- Ntuli [52]-[53]. Derogations should, where justified, be no more than strictly necessary to achieve their purpose. [11] The grant of derogations is not a question of discretion. It is a matter of obligation and the court is under a duty to either grant the derogation or refuse it when it has applied the relevant test: M -v- W[2010] EWHC 2457 (QB) [34]. [12] There is no general exception to open justice where privacy or confidentiality is in issue. Applications will only be heard in private if and to the extent that the court is satisfied that by nothing short of the exclusion of the public can justice be done. Exclusions must be no more than the minimum strictly necessary to ensure justice is done and parties are expected to consider before applying for such an exclusion whether something short of exclusion can meet their concerns, as will normally be the case: Ambrosiadou -v- Coward [2011] EMLR 419 [50]-[54]. Anonymity will only be granted where it is strictly necessary, and then only to that extent. [13] The burden of establishing any derogation from the general principle lies on the person seeking it. It must be established by clear and cogent evidence: Scott -v- Scott[1913] AC 417 , 438-439, 463, 477; Lord Browne of Madingley -v- Associated Newspapers Ltd[2008] QB 103 [2]-[3]; Secretary of State for the Home Department -v- AP (No.2)[2010] 1 WLR 1652 [7]; Gray -v- W[2010] EWHC 2367 (QB) [6]-[8]; and JIH -v- News Group Newspapers Ltd (Practice Note)[2011] 1 WLR 1645 [21].” [10] Derogations from the general principle can only be justified in exceptional circumstances, when they are strictly necessary as measures to secure the proper administration of justice. They are wholly exceptional: R -v- Chief Registrar of Friendly Societies, ex parte New Cross Building Society[1984] QB 227 , 235; Donald -v- Ntuli [52]-[53]. Derogations should, where justified, be no more than strictly necessary to achieve their purpose. [11] The grant of derogations is not a question of discretion. It is a matter of obligation and the court is under a duty to either grant the derogation or refuse it when it has applied the relevant test: M -v- W[2010] EWHC 2457 (QB) [34]. [12] There is no general exception to open justice where privacy or confidentiality is in issue. Applications will only be heard in private if and to the extent that the court is satisfied that by nothing short of the exclusion of the public can justice be done. Exclusions must be no more than the minimum strictly necessary to ensure justice is done and parties are expected to consider before applying for such an exclusion whether something short of exclusion can meet their concerns, as will normally be the case: Ambrosiadou -v- Coward [2011] EMLR 419 [50]-[54]. Anonymity will only be granted where it is strictly necessary, and then only to that extent. [13] The burden of establishing any derogation from the general principle lies on the person seeking it. It must be established by clear and cogent evidence: Scott -v- Scott[1913] AC 417 , 438-439, 463, 477; Lord Browne of Madingley -v- Associated Newspapers Ltd[2008] QB 103 [2]-[3]; Secretary of State for the Home Department -v- AP (No.2)[2010] 1 WLR 1652 [7]; Gray -v- W[2010] EWHC 2367 (QB) [6]-[8]; and JIH -v- News Group Newspapers Ltd (Practice Note)[2011] 1 WLR 1645 [21].”
“Claimants included in the cohort have sensitive roles. Included it is said within the cohort is the head of nuclear secrets for the United Kingdom who is also a reservist. Additionally, there are claimants who have served with the Armed Forces in Northern Ireland”