Judicial Review Proceedings
Judicial review is the process by which the High Court supervises the decisions and actions of public bodies to ensure they act lawfully. It's a powerful remedy for individuals and organisations affected by unlawful government decisions. We have extensive experience bringing judicial review challenges across a wide range of public law areas, from immigration and asylum to planning, social care, and human rights.
Holding Power to Account
Judicial review ensures that public bodies exercise their powers lawfully, fairly, and rationally. It's a cornerstone of the rule of law and democratic accountability.
Areas We Cover
Immigration & Asylum
Challenging Home Office decisions on visas, asylum claims, deportation, and detention.
Planning & Development
Challenging planning permissions, enforcement decisions, and development consent orders.
Social Care
Challenging failures to assess or provide social care under the Care Act 2014.
Prisons & Parole
Challenging prison categorisation, segregation, Parole Board decisions, and conditions.
Environment
Challenging environmental decisions affecting air quality, habitats, and development.
Public Services
Challenging decisions on education, housing, health services, and welfare benefits.
Grounds for Judicial Review
A public body's decision can be challenged on several legal grounds:
The Judicial Review Process
Pre-Action Protocol
Before issuing proceedings, we send a detailed pre-action letter to the public body, explaining the grounds for challenge and inviting them to reconsider their decision. Many cases are resolved at this stage without the need for court proceedings.
Permission Stage
If pre-action correspondence doesn't resolve matters, we issue a judicial review claim form. The court then considers whether to grant permission to proceed. Permission is granted if the claim is arguable and brought within the strict time limits (usually 3 months).
Substantive Hearing
If permission is granted, the case proceeds to a full hearing where both sides present detailed legal arguments. The court examines whether the public body acted lawfully, not whether the decision was right or wrong on its merits.
Remedies
If successful, the court can quash the unlawful decision, order the public body to make a fresh decision, issue a mandatory order requiring action, or award damages where appropriate. The goal is to ensure lawful decision-making going forward.
Why Choose Us
Public Law Specialists
Extensive expertise in judicial review across all areas of public law and administrative decision-making.
Urgent Applications
We can act urgently to obtain interim relief preventing irreversible harm pending full hearing.
Legal Aid & Funding
We secure legal aid where available and explore alternative funding options including CFAs.
Strong Track Record
Successful outcomes in high-profile judicial reviews at all court levels including Supreme Court.