Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

Related legal acts

Key definition

Judicial review definition

What does Judicial review mean? Judicial review is the court process used to challenge the lawfulness of decisions, actions or omissions of public bodies (such as ministers, local authorities, regulators and tribunals), rather than to reconsider the merits. It is a supervisory jurisdiction developed mainly through case law, with procedural rules set by legislation and court rules. Across the UK and Ireland, typical grounds include illegality (error of law, acting beyond powers), irrationality/unreasonableness, procedural unfairness (including breach of natural justice and legitimate expectation), and, where engaged, proportionality under the European Convention on Human Rights. Common remedies are quashing, prohibiting and mandatory orders, declarations and injunctions; damages...

Judicial review of prosecutorial decisions in England and Wales: challenging charging and non‑prosecution decisions, cautions, investigations, and private prosecutions; alternative remedies, criminal cause or matter, VRR, and procedure

Published by a LexisNexis Corporate Crime expert

Practice notes

judicial review

Judicial review is the mechanism through which the High Court scrutinises the legality of decisions, actions or failures to act by public authorities. For general guidance on judicial review procedure, consult the Practice Notes: Judicial review—what it is and when it can be used—Preliminary and pre-action considerations, Judicial review—time limits and the pre-action protocol, and Judicial review—how to start proceedings. For material on challenging decisions of the criminal courts, see Practice Note: Judicial review of magistrates' court and Crown Court decisions. Judicial review does not assess the merits of an outcome; instead, it focuses on the lawfulness of the decision-making process. It is a remedy granted at the court’s discretion. The High Court will exercise its powers only where appropriate and may decline to do so where an alternative remedy is available, in the circumstances of the case as presented...

To view the latest version of this document and thousands of others like it, sign-in with LexisNexis or register for a free trial.

Web page updated on 21/05/2026

Popular documents

Using the Judicial College Guidelines to assess general damages in personal injury claims

When evaluating a general damages claim, the practitioner ought initially to refer to the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG)...

Tomlin orders in England and Wales: CPR guidance on drafting, confidentiality, approval, variation, enforcement, limitation, CCA issues, court-specific requirements, sample wording and precedents

This Practice Note This Practice Note reviews mechanisms used in settling litigation. A Tomlin order consists of a consent order paired with a schedule. It operates to stay proceedings on terms that have been agreed. The provisions contained in the schedule may remain confidential. This Practice Note describes the scope of confidentiality attaching to the schedule and sets out how it differs from a standard consent order. Sample wording for a Tomlin order is included, alongside links to precedents, as well as guidance on court approval. It also addresses varying, setting aside and enforcing a Tomlin order, including the considerations the court will take into account when handling applications for each. Further guidance is provided on interpreting and applying the relevant provisions of the CPR; however, some courts and divisions impose very specific requirements for both drafting and approval, and for approaching the schedule and confidentiality issues. Accordingly, you must consider the particular rules and court guide provisions in the forum where your claim is proceeding when drawing up the Tomlin order...

Precedent: Deed of Surrender of Lease with Optional Premium, Settlement and Release, Landlord, Mortgagee and Guarantor Consents, Reimbursement and HM Land Registry Provisions (England and Wales)

Date [ date ] Parties [ name of Landlord ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Landlord) [ name of Tenant ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Tenant) [ [ name of Guarantor ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Guarantor) ] [ [ name of Mortgagee ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Mortgagee) ] Definitions Within this Deed, the terms below shall be interpreted as follows: [ Annual Rent • the annual sum reserved under the Lease; ] [ Insurance Rent • the Tenant’s share of the Landlord’s costs of insuring the Property (as set out in the Lease); ] Lease • the lease of the Property dated [ date ], entered into between (1) [ the Landlord OR [ name ...

Precedent Statutory Declaration: Standard Wording under the Statutory Declarations Act 1835

I, [ name ], of [ address ], solemnly and sincerely state that: [ Matters to be verified, set out in numbered paragraphs ] I make this solemn statement in good conscience, believing it to be true, and pursuant to the provisions of the Statutory Declarations Act 1835. DECLARED at [ details ] this [ day ] day of [ month and year ] Before me ................................................................................ [ signature of the person before whom the declaration is made ] A [ commissioner for oaths OR [ solicitor OR [ insert other qualification ] ] authorised to administer oaths ]...