Skeleton-argument redaction is the removal of personal data from the written argument you lodge with the court. A skeleton is not a statement of case, so CPR 5.4C(1) does not reach it; a non-party applies under CPR 5.4C(2). anonym.plus marks each identifier on your device, so the argument reads the same while the data drops out.
When this applies
A skeleton quotes the evidence, so raw identifiers slip into block quotes and footnotes. Two rules make that costly. CPR 39.2(1) makes the hearing public by default, and CPR 31.22(1)(a) lifts the collateral-use limit on a disclosed document once it has been read to or by the court at a public hearing. What you quote can therefore leave the case.
How anonym.plus handles it
- Load the document into anonym.plus on your device.
- The tool scans the body, footnotes, and block quotes.
- It flags NI numbers, account numbers, birth dates, and children.
- Authorities and neutral citations stay untouched.
- Swap or black out the confirmed identifiers.
- Save the clean argument locally.
What you need to provide
- The filed skeleton (DOCX, PDF, or TXT).
- An operator (Replace keeps the prose readable).
- Optional allow-list for authorities and claim numbers.
PII entity types detected
| Category | anonym.plus entity type | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Identifiers | UK_NINO | JT 60 12 24 A → [NINO] |
| Names | PERSON | Appellant Reyes → [PARTY] |
| Dates | DATE_TIME | born 1990 → [DOB] |
| Financial | UK_BANK_NUMBER | acct 7782 → [ACCOUNT] |
| Minor | PERSON | J.R., a minor → [MINOR] |
| Contact | EMAIL_ADDRESS | reyes@example.com → [EMAIL] |
Compliance achieved
- Treats the skeleton correctly: not a statement of case, so non-party access runs under CPR 5.4C(2) rather than as of right.
- Anticipates the inherent jurisdiction to release documents placed before the court, confirmed in Cape Intermediate Holdings Ltd v Dring [2019] UKSC 38.
- Masks identifiers before a quote is read in open court, where CPR 31.22(1)(a) lifts the collateral-use limit on a disclosed document.
- Reflects the open-justice default in CPR 39.2(1): a hearing is in public unless the court orders otherwise.
- Fully offline, so privilege and work-product survive intact.
Anonymise skeleton arguments offline — see plans & start free →
Limitations & cautions
Block quotes from the evidence carry the most identifiers. The tool flags named items, yet a unique fact in a quoted passage can still point to a person. Read the quotes before you file.
Frequently asked questions
Can a non-party get hold of my skeleton argument?
Not as of right. CPR 5.4C(1) covers statements of case and public judgments or orders. For a skeleton the applicant needs permission under CPR 5.4C(2), and Cape v Dring confirmed the court's inherent power to release documents placed before it.
Why does quoting a disclosed document matter?
CPR 31.22(1) limits use of a disclosed document to the proceedings, but that limit falls away under CPR 31.22(1)(a) once the document has been read to or by the court at a public hearing. Mask the identifiers before that happens.
Will my citations of authority survive the pass?
Yes. Use the allow-list to protect neutral citations and claim numbers. Only the personal identifiers are marked for removal.