Public Law and Judicial Review

Public bodies in the UK are required to uphold standards which are different to commercial entities, and routes of challenge such as judicial review hold them to account where they act unlawfully, irrationally or unfairly. Judicial review can offer a faster and cost-effective route to resolution than is generally available in commercial litigation, with an accelerated timetable and an evidential burden that almost invariably weighs much heavier on the public body than the claimant.

We act for claimants challenging unlawful decisions, for interested parties whose commercial interests are directly engaged, and for public bodies responding to judicial review proceedings.

Our commercially-minded group has the breadth required for us to assemble a team that precisely fits your requirements, whether that depends on experience of a particular sector, or the nature of the decision in question. We understand the urgency and commercial sensitivity that often arises with the challenge of a decision and work swiftly to manage reputational risk and minimise disruption.

We bring deep experience from the other side of the table as well, having acted for numerous public bodies in the defence of judicial reviews and with many of our lawyers having extensive previous experience of working in government.