Judicial Review
Judicial Review is the process by which the courts supervise public bodies to ensure that they act lawfully and fairly.

- Conveyancing
- Debt & Insolvency
- Employment
- Family Law
- Medical Negligence
- Personal Accident & Injury
- Personal Disputes
- Professional Negligence
- Sports Law
- Wills, Trusts & Probate
“In respect of my successful outcome re: Potential Clinical Negligence Claim I would like to say how pleased I was with the professionalism of Chris Gresswell-Green and the team at Bridge McFarland who did their utmost to secure a good result on my behalf. I was satisfied with the outcome and happy with the fast response securing a payment on my behalf. I would have no reservations about using Bridge McFarland in the future should I ever need to and will certainly recommend them to any friends and acquaintances in the future.”
Judicial review can be used to challenge the decisions and actions of a range of public bodies, including:
- Local authorities
- Government departments
- NHS trusts and clinical commissioning groups (CCGs)
- Regulatory and supervisory bodies – such as Ofcom (Office of Communications), the Financial Services Authority (FSA), the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), the Care Quality Commission (to name just a few)
- Schools and governing bodies
- Magistrates, county courts, coroners and some tribunals
- Chief Constables and prison governors
Judicial review is a challenge to the way in which a decision has been made, rather than the rights and wrongs of the conclusion reached. The court can set aside (or ‘quash’) an unlawful decision but will not remake the decision or inquire into the merits of the decision (except for the purpose of considering its lawfulness).
The remedies available in judicial review proceedings include an order quashing the decision (‘quashing order’), an order restraining a public body from acting beyond its powers (‘prohibiting order’), an order requiring a public body to carry out its legal duties (‘mandatory order’), a declaration setting out the rights or legal position of the parties, a stay or injunction and (in some circumstances) payment of damages.
Our experienced solicitors regularly act for individuals, businesses and community and interest groups in seeking to challenge and overturn decisions where a public body has failed to comply with its legal obligations in relation to:
- Health and social care
- Education
- Planning and environmental law
- Housing
- Inquests
- Regulatory and professional discipline
We offer fixed-fee initial consultations and a range of innovative and flexible funding options for judicial review cases. In some cases, a ‘protective costs order’ (or ‘costs capping order’) can be obtained to remove or limit exposure to costs. It is important to act quickly and seek legal advice at the earliest opportunity.
There are strict time limits which require judicial review claims to be brought promptly and (usually) within 3 months of the decision to be challenged.
Please note that we are unable to undertake such work on a legal aid basis.
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