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 in England and Wales: Administrative Court and Upper Tribunal scope, standing, alternative remedies, time limits, permission, grounds and relief

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Practice notes

What is judicial review?

Judicial review is the means by which the courts exercise a supervisory jurisdiction over the performance of public functions by public bodies. This supervisory jurisdiction should not be mistaken for, or treated as, a right of appeal.

cpr 54.1 states that a 'claim for judicial review' means a claim to assess the lawfulness of:

an enactment
a decision, action, or failure to act in relation to the exercise of a public function.

Proceedings usually take place in the Administrative Court, which forms part of the King's Bench Division of the High Court. Judicial review proceedings are governed by a number of civil procedure rules, Practice Directions and a pre-action protocol. Further detailed and practical guidance is provided in the Administrative Court Judicial Review Guide. The guide is intended to assist parties pursuing judicial review claims in the Administrative Court, bringing together the relevant statutory provisions, procedural rules, practice directions, case law and guidance. The guide aims to ensure efficient use of court resources and to help achieve the overriding objective of dealing with cases justly and at proportionate cost...

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Mathew Purchase

Matrix Chambers

Mathew Purchase's practice includes all aspects of employment law, discrimination law, public law and human rights and civil liberties. He is on the Attorney General's B Panel and is a member of the Bar Pro Bono Unit and ELAAS. He is recommended in Chambers and Partners and the Legal 500, which have described him as: ‘extremely intelligent’, ‘just superb - smooth, engaging and perfectly pitched’, and as someone who ‘always does excellent work’. Mathew has broad experience in public law and human rights, including community care, education, housing and civil actions against the police, from early advisory work to judicial review. Mathew has a strong interest in all aspects of education law and acts for parents/children, local authorities and schools at all levels. He has appeared in a number of judicial review claims; recent cases include R (UNISON) v Lord...

Dr Mirza Ahmad

St Philips Chambers

Mirza is nationally recognised as a strategic leader, with highly persuasive communication and influencing skills and abilities. As an accomplished presenter, he has inspired many individuals at national and international conferences on issues relating to, for example, Good Governance (which includes ethical & corporate governance), Human Rights, Procurement, Compulsory Competitive Tendering, Best Value, Freedom of Information and Business Excellence. Called to the Bar by Gray’s Inn, in 1984, Mirza commenced his local government career in 1985 and became Chairman of the Bar Association for Local Government & the Public Service, in April 1998 (www.balgps.org.uk). He has also been a Member of the General Council of the Bar for England & Wales since 1995 (save for 1998). Mirza was President of the Association of Council Secretaries & Solicitors (ACSeS) in 2009/2010 and his theme was ‘Leadership...

Web page updated on 21/05/2026

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