Public Law or ‘Administrative’ Law involves challenges to unlawful acts by public bodies, including local authorities, government departments NHS bodies, the Police, DSS, etc.

It is important that people can hold public bodies to account and challenge them when things go wrong. We can help you to identify if your rights, your community’s right or the rights of your family are being challenged or undermined and clearly advise on the road ahead.

Our Public Law specialists have significant expertise in:

• Judicial Review

• Education Law

• Historical sexual abuse cases

• Child care negligence by local authorities

• Inquests

Judicial Review

Judicial Review is the main tool to be used to challenge public bodies. It is the court process that examines whether decision makers have acted fairly, in good faith, rationally and only using the powers that they have for their proper purposes.  These are the ‘Public Law’ principles that every public decision maker should abide by.

If you suspect that a significant unlawful decision is about to be made, or already has been, legal advice should be sought as soon as possible.

Watkins & Gunn has extensive experience of challenging the unlawful actions of such public bodies through Judicial Review in the High Court. These cases often include Human Rights law.

The following are examples of public law cases undertaken:

• Challenges to hospital closures & downgrades

• A challenge to school reorganisation & closure – see our Education Law service page for more

• A challenge to library closures

• A challenge to the grant of planning permission in environmental maters such as incinerators, wind farms, etc.

• Article 2 Inquests

These are just examples. If you have a Public Law problem involving any public authority, please contact us today to see how we can help.

Act Quickly

It is vitally important that one acts quickly to bring a Judicial Review case against a public body. The timeframes are very short – most cases must be brought promptly and within three months of the decision, but some, such as planning, environmental and procurement cases may need to be brought even quicker.

Who We Act For

Watkins & Gunn represent a wide range of clients in Public Law cases, including:

• Individuals
• Action and campaigning groups
• Charities
• Professional associations
• Unions
• Nurseries, schools and colleges
• Companies

We have a legal aid franchise with the Legal Aid Agency and we are committed to public funded work where available but also with private funding, fixed fees and group funding arrangements where necessary.

Your Problem Solved

We have decades of experience in helping individuals, groups and organisations with Administrative / Public Law matters and our clients love to refer us on, thanks to our professionalism, expertise, success and clarity on costs and legal advice.

We’ll give you jargon-free advice without any hidden costs – and we’re open on Saturday mornings!