Judicial review is an action against a public authority or a person whose actions are of a public nature.
A public authority might be:-
- A Government Minister or central government department
- A Local Council or Local Government department, such as a Social Services department
- The Courts or Tribunal Service
- Health service departments
The law regulates how all of these bodies act, and Judicial Review is available in situations such as where:-
- They act unreasonably or irrationally
- They fail to act lawfully
- They act unfairly
- They use wrong or discriminatory procedures
- They fail to consult properly
Remedies available in judicial review include:-
- An order to quash an unlawful decision
- An order forcing a public body to exercise its powers after it has refused to do so
- An order requiring a public body to cease a course of action
- An Injunction - an order forbidding an action or an order prohibiting a decision
- A declaration - an order that declares the law on a particular subject
Judicial Review actions have to be brought as soon as possible - in any case within 3 months of the action complained of.
If you are dissatisfied with the actions or decision of a public body, please contact us to discuss how we might be able to help you with Judicial Review.
