header-logo header-logo

Home Login E-newsletter About us
27 January 2023 / Andrew Fremlin-Key
Issue: 8010 / Categories: Features , Disclosure , Media
printer mail-detail

Skeleton arguments: unwanted attention?

© Copyright LexisNexis 2026. All Rights Reserved.
107900
Inquisitive journalists, court documents & client privacy: Andrew Fremlin-Key recounts the lessons learned from Bouncylagoon

In brief

  • Covers recent caselaw on press applications for access to skeleton arguments and other court documents.
  • Refers to Bouncylagoon [2022] and Dring [2019].

In (the fantastically named) Bouncylagoon Ltd v Revenue and Customs Commissioners [2022] UKFTT 361 (TC) (Bouncylagoon), the First-tier Tribunal (Tax) (FTT) granted a BBC journalist’s application for access to electronic copies of the parties’ skeleton arguments, but refused her application for a copy of the hearing bundle on the facts of the case. This relatively short decision serves as a strong warning to practitioners against assuming that an early procedural hearing cannot lead to interest and attention from the press and/or requests for documents from inquisitive journalists looking to generate news stories. Lawyers will need to consider their clients’ position and advise them accordingly on the balance of information that is included in court documents.

Brief background

The decision relates to an application made by a BBC journalist

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Read All
Sponsored by
NLJ Career Profile: Nikki Bowker, Devonshires

NLJ Career Profile: Nikki Bowker, Devonshires

Nikki Bowker, head of litigation and dispute resolution at Devonshires, on career resilience, diversity in law and channelling Elle Woods when the pressure is on

Ellisons—Sarah Osborne

Ellisons—Sarah Osborne

Leasehold enfranchisement specialist joins residential property team

DWF—Chris Air

DWF—Chris Air

Firm strengthens commercial team in Manchester with partner appointment

NEWS
Read All
NLJ this week: When post-breach events rewrite damages claims
Contract damages are usually assessed at the date of breach—but not always. Writing in NLJ this week, Ian Gascoigne, knowledge lawyer at LexisNexis, examines the growing body of cases where courts have allowed later events to reshape compensation
NLJ this week: Supreme Court redraws unfair prejudice rules
The Supreme Court has restored ‘doctrinal coherence’ to unfair prejudice litigation, writes Natalie Quinlivan, partner at Fieldfisher LLP, in this week' NLJ
NLJ this week: ‘Joe Donor’ ruling exposes dangers of unregulated conception
The High Court’s refusal to recognise a prolific sperm donor as a child’s legal parent has highlighted the risks of informal conception arrangements, according to Liam Hurren, associate at Kingsley Napley, in NLJ this week
NLJ this week: CILEX warns Mazur ruling must spark reform
The Court of Appeal’s decision in Mazur may have settled questions around litigation supervision, but the profession should not simply ‘move on’, argues Jennifer Coupland, CEO of CILEX, in this week's NLJ
NLJ this week: Conditional job offers carry hidden risks for employers
A simple phrase like ‘subject to references’ may not protect employers as much as they think. Writing in NLJ this week, Ian Smith, barrister and emeritus professor of employment law at UEA, analyses recent employment cases showing how conditional job offers can still create binding contracts
Copyright © 2026 LexisNexis
back-to-top-scroll