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.

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

Reported Cases in the last five years:

• R (on the application of Flatley) v Hywel Dda UHB [2014] EWHC 655 (Admin) – Hospital closure/downgrade
• R (On the application of Thomas) v Hywel Dda University Health Board [2014] EWHC 4044 (Admin); (2015) PLLR 018 – Hospital closure/downgrade
• R (On the application of Tilley) v Vale of Glamorgan Council [2015] All ER (D) 64 (Nov) – Library Closure.
• R (On the application of Edwards) v Flintshire County Council [2016] EWHC 459 (Admin) (2016) E.L.R 208 – School Closure.
• R (On the application of Tilley 2) v Vale of Glamorgan Council (2016) EWHC 2272, Law Society Gazette, 16 January 2017 – Library Closure.
• R (On the application of LB) v Independent Appeals Panel of Newport City Council (2017) EWHC 2216 (Admin) – School Exclusion
• Page, R (On the Application Of) v Darlington Borough Council (2018) EWHC 1818 – Library Closure.
• WX, R (On the Application Of) v Northamptonshire County Council, QBD – Administrative Court [2018] EWHC 2178 (Admin) – Library Closures
• R on the application of Shane Williams v Caerphilly County Borough Council [2019] EWHC 1618 (Admin); [2019] 6 WLUK 352 – Leisure Centre Closure
• R (DJ) v Welsh Ministers [2019] EWCA 1349 – Court of Appeal – Specialist Further Education

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.