Request Legal Service Get Help

Public Law & Judicial Review Solicitors

Public bodies — councils, government departments, the NHS, and regulatory bodies — make decisions that affect people's lives. Where those decisions are unlawful, irrational, or procedurally unfair, they can be challenged by judicial review or other public law remedies.

Judicial review is the legal process by which the High Court reviews the lawfulness of decisions made by public bodies — including local authorities, central government, the NHS, immigration authorities, and regulatory bodies. The court does not substitute its own decision for the public body's — it reviews whether the decision was made lawfully (within the correct legal framework), rationally (not perverse), and fairly (following the correct procedure and giving the person affected a fair opportunity to make representations). A solicitor will advise on whether the public body's decision is vulnerable to judicial review, manage the pre-action process, and pursue the claim in the High Court where the decision cannot be challenged by other means.

Judicial review & pre-action protocol Council decisions & community care Public body complaints & inquests Free initial consultation

Public Law Services

Every public law remedy — from judicial review to inquest — select the area that matches your situation.

Judicial Review

Challenging an unlawful, irrational, or procedurally unfair decision by a public body in the High Court — pre-action letters, permission applications, and full hearings.

Learn more →

Council Decision Challenge

Challenging local authority decisions on planning, housing, social care, licensing, and environmental health — statutory appeals, judicial review, and ombudsman complaints.

Learn more →

Community Care Dispute

Challenging local authority assessments of care needs, refusals to fund care, and direct payment disputes — under the Care Act 2014 and the Human Rights Act 1998.

Learn more →

Inquest & Public Body Accountability

Supporting families at inquests following deaths in custody, in NHS care, or in other state settings — coroner proceedings and Article 2 ECHR inquiries.

Learn more →

Public Body Complaint & Failure to Act

Formal complaints against local authorities, NHS bodies, and other public bodies for failure to carry out statutory duties — ombudsman complaints and judicial review.

Learn more →

How It Works

Public bodies have significant powers — but they must exercise those powers lawfully and fairly. A solicitor will identify where the decision was unlawful and pursue the remedy that gives the client the best chance of a different outcome.

A solicitor will advise on the lawfulness of the public body's decision, send a pre-action letter identifying the grounds of challenge, and — where the public body does not revise its decision — pursue judicial review or other public law remedies through the courts.

Submit Your Request
1

Tell us about the public body decision

Describe the public body, the decision made, the legal power it relied on, and why you believe the decision was unlawful or unfair.

2

Solicitor assesses the grounds and advises on remedies

A public law specialist assesses whether the decision is vulnerable to judicial review or other challenge, identifies the legal grounds, and advises on the most effective route to a different outcome.

3

Free initial consultation

You receive clear advice on the public law challenge and whether judicial review or another remedy is appropriate — at no cost and no obligation.

Free Initial Consultation

Public bodies must exercise their powers within the law. Where they do not, the courts can intervene — and a solicitor can bring that intervention about.

Get specialist public law advice — and find out whether the decision you are facing can be challenged by judicial review or another public law remedy.

Get Public Law Advice

Common Questions

Public law and judicial review — what people ask us.

What is judicial review and when is it available?

Judicial review is the process by which the High Court (Administrative Court) reviews the lawfulness of decisions made by public bodies exercising public functions. It is available where a public body has made a decision that is: illegal (beyond the scope of its legal powers); irrational (unreasonable to the extent that no reasonable body could have reached the same decision); procedurally unfair (the person affected was not given proper notice, reasons, or an opportunity to be heard); or incompatible with the Human Rights Act 1998. Judicial review is a remedy of last resort — it is usually only available after the claimant has exhausted all other available remedies (statutory appeal rights, internal complaints procedures, ombudsman routes). A solicitor will advise on whether judicial review is the appropriate remedy and whether all other remedies have been exhausted.

How long do I have to bring a judicial review claim?

Judicial review claims must normally be brought "promptly" and in any event within 3 months of the date of the decision being challenged. In planning cases, the time limit is 6 weeks. In procurement cases, it is 30 days. For some decisions made by statutory tribunals (such as planning inspectors or immigration tribunals), the time limit may be different. Where there are grounds to believe the time limit will be exceeded, a claimant must apply to the court for an extension of time — which is not automatically granted. A solicitor will advise on the applicable time limit and ensure the claim is filed in time — including sending the pre-action protocol letter promptly so there is sufficient time for the public body to respond before proceedings must be issued.

What remedies does the court grant on a successful judicial review?

On a successful judicial review, the court can grant: a quashing order (quashing the unlawful decision and requiring the public body to reconsider); a mandatory order (requiring the public body to take a specific action it was legally obliged to take); a prohibiting order (preventing the public body from taking a specific action); a declaration (declaring the decision to be unlawful); an injunction (requiring or preventing specific conduct); and, in Human Rights Act cases, an award of damages for the breach of Convention rights. The most common remedy is a quashing order — the court quashes the unlawful decision and requires the public body to reconsider it. A solicitor will advise on the most appropriate remedy in the specific case and apply for the remedy that best protects the client's position.

Can I get Legal Aid for a judicial review claim?

Legal Aid may be available for judicial review claims in England and Wales — subject to a means test (financial eligibility) and a merits test (the strength of the case). Legal Aid is more readily available for judicial review claims involving asylum and immigration, community care, housing, and civil liberties. Legal Aid for judicial review requires prior authority from the Legal Aid Agency before proceedings are issued. A solicitor who is authorised to carry out Legal Aid work will assess the client's eligibility, advise on the prospects of obtaining Legal Aid, and apply for prior authority where appropriate. Where Legal Aid is not available, a solicitor will advise on other funding options — conditional fee agreements and after-the-event insurance may be available in appropriate cases.

Related Issue Topics

View all →

Latest Articles

Quick Links