Jane Doe # 2 v. The Norwich Roman Catholic Diocesan Corporation (2012)

MEMORANDUM OF DECISION ON APPLICATION TO PROCEED USING FICTITIOUS NAMES

In this tort action, the plaintiffs commenced this proceeding using fictitious names.   The court has considered the requirements of Practice Book 11–20A(h)(3).

The court concludes that allowing the adult plaintiff to proceed using a fictitious name is necessary to preserve the privacy of the plaintiff who alleges that she has been the subject of sexual assaults and molestation while she was a minor.   The privacy rights to the plaintiff out weigh the public's interest in knowing the name of the plaintiff.   Proceeding with use of a fictious name is the least restrictive alternative available to the court consistent with the public's interests in open courts.

Accordingly, the court enters the following order, which shall remain in effect until further order of the court and is entered without prejudice to any interested party requesting reconsideration or modification of this order as the case progresses or as circumstances change:

1) the plaintiff shall be entitled to maintain this lawsuit using a pseudonym;

2) all court filings shall use or shall delete the true names and substitute the pseudonyms Jane Doe # 2 to refer to the plaintiff;

3) the lodged affidavit of Jane Doe # 2 shall be sealed;  and

4) the plaintiff shall forthwith provide to the defendant the name and current address of the plaintiff as well as the plaintiff's name and address or addresses for the time period when she claims the incidents complained of occurred.

Cosgrove, J.

Cosgrove, Emmet L., J.