202403821 B2 - [2025] EWCA Crim 1205

“11 Publication of matters exempted from disclosure in court

In any case where a court (having power to do so) allows a name or other matter to be withheld from the public in proceedings before the court, the court may give such directions prohibiting the publication of that name or matter in connection with the proceedings as appear to the court to be necessary for the purpose for which it was so withheld.”

Ms Ahluwalia makes detailed submissions which comprehensively, and very helpfully, address the jurisdiction and recent practice of the court.

It is not suggested that the applicant is entitled to the automatic reporting restrictions for which s1 of the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1992 provides. Ms Ahluwalia rightly accepts that the applicant is the accused in these proceedings, and therefore not, for the purposes of that Act, the victim of an alleged sexual offence or human trafficking offence: cf R v Musharraf [2022] EWCA Crim 678 at [15].

The applications are opposed by Mr Ray, essentially on the ground that the applicant has failed to show that the proposed orders are necessary.