Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

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...

A practitioner’s guide to judicial review in England and Wales: time limits (including planning and procurement), Pre-Action Protocol, letters before claim, ADR, urgency, expedition and interim relief

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Practice notes

When weighing up whether, and in what way, to pursue a claim for Judicial review, your opening task is to assess if that procedure is the suitable mechanism for resolving the issues presented by the matter before you. For additional help, see PrACTice Note: Judicial review—what it is and when it can be used.

Time limits

If judicial review is the route chosen, the next step will typically be to confirm there is still time to commence proceedings. Under CPR 54.5, claims for judicial review (apart from the three exceptions referred to below) must be issued promptly and, in any event, within three months of the date on which the grounds first arose. Promptness is an overriding requirement, and you should not assume a claim is in time merely because it is brought within three months. Accordingly, once the basis for the challenge has emerged, speed is essential. In R (Jones) v Chief Constable of Merseyside Police, the court underlined that the three-month limit is a backstop, and applicants must act with the utmost promptitude...

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Web page updated on 21/05/2026

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