Judicial Review
Decisions taken by a public body should be the product of a reasonable and lawful process, administered openly and fairly.
We have extensive experience of acting for defendant public bodies that are subject to judicial review, and seeking to defend robust decision-making.
We also represent claimants – corporates, professionals and other individuals, and charities, amongst them – who are seeking to challenge unlawful decisions; and we frequently appear for interested parties too.
Members of our team have been involved in some of the most widely reported judicial review cases of recent years, including acting for the Law Society against the Lord Chancellor, and representing a national healthcare body in a highly-sensitive challenge under Article 2 of the ECHR in the field of mental health.
We can advise on:
- Professional regulation
- Police and law enforcement
- Healthcare
- Education
- Planning
- Environmental Law
- Immigration
- Consultation and engagement
Our depth of public law experience – and of working, and litigating, for central Government enables us to understand the backdrop against which individual decisions are taken in a way few other firms can.
Combined with the complementary public affairs and parliamentary service that we provide, this means BDB Pitmans is uniquely positioned to help clients prosper, dealing not only with the immediate threat of litigation, but also with any associated reputational downside. It also enables us to provide support across the full spectrum, from legal to practical, and ensures that we never lose sight of the big picture from our clients’ perspective.
Case Studies
- Public authority duties under the Equality Act 2010 are not ‘a question of ticking boxes’
- If the First-tier Tribunal makes a material error of law, can the Upper Tribunal in judicial review proceedings uphold the FTT decision?
- Is fairness a principle of judicial review?
- R (on the application of Goring-on-Thames Parish Council) v South Oxfordshire District Council & Goring & Streatley Community Energy Ltd (2018)
- R (on the application of Lancashire County Council) v Secretary of State for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs & Janine Bebbington: R (on the application of NHS Property Services Ltd) v Surrey County Council & Timothy Jones (2018)
- R (on the application of AL) v Serious Fraud Office & (1) XYZ Ltd (2) ABC Llp (3) MS (4) DJ (2018) EWHC 856 (Admin) (Holroyde LJ, Green J) 19/04/2018
Related Services and Sectors
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""BDB are very good and will really go the extra mile for their clients.
Chambers & Partners UK 2017