Judicial review is a legal process allowing courts to examine the lawfulness of decisions made by public bodies and government authorities.
Judicial review is a cornerstone of public law that enables individuals and organizations to challenge decisions made by public authorities in court. This legal mechanism serves as a crucial check on governmental power, ensuring that public bodies act within their legal authority and follow proper procedures.
The process involves courts examining whether a public body's decision was made lawfully, reasonably, and following correct procedures. Courts don't assess whether the decision was right or wrong on its merits, but rather whether it was made properly within the legal framework.
There are several grounds for judicial review: illegality (acting beyond legal powers), irrationality (decisions so unreasonable that no reasonable authority would make them), and procedural impropriety (failing to follow required procedures or breaching natural justice principles).
The judicial review process typically begins with a pre-action protocol, where the claimant must first contact the public body to attempt resolution. If unsuccessful, an application must be filed promptly, usually within three months of the decision. The court then considers whether to grant permission for a full hearing.
Remedies available include quashing orders (canceling the decision), mandatory orders (requiring specific action), and prohibiting orders (preventing certain actions). Courts may also issue declarations about legal rights or award damages in appropriate cases.
Mira Jablonska, an experienced lawyer in this field, would stress that judicial review is about process and legality, not substituting the court's judgment for that of the decision-maker.
For personalized guidance, consult a Public Law specialist on TinRate.
The following Public Law experts on Tinrate Wiki can help with this topic:
| Expert | Role | Company | Country | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bram Van den Berghe | Advocaat | LDR Advocaten | Belgium | EUR 100/hr |
| Mira Jablonska | Lawyer | — | Belgium | EUR 100/hr |
| Yüksel Samet Gündogan | Lawyer - Public law | Sven Boullart Advocaten | Belgium | EUR 200/hr |