Judicial Review
Overview
Judicial review challenges the lawfulness of a public body's decision — including Home Office refusals, delays, and removal decisions — where no appeal or administrative review is available.
When judicial review may be appropriate
- Decisions that are unlawful, irrational, or procedurally unfair
- Unreasonable Home Office delay
- Challenges to removal directions
- Where other remedies are exhausted or unavailable
How we assist
- Rapid merits assessment
- Pre-action protocol correspondence — which resolves many cases without litigation
- Preparing and lodging claims, working with specialist counsel
- Urgent applications where removal is imminent
Time limits
Claims must be brought promptly — usually within three months at most, and far sooner in some removal cases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is judicial review an appeal on the merits?
No — the court reviews the lawfulness of the decision-making, not whether it would have decided differently. We will advise whether it is the right remedy.
Do most cases reach a hearing?
Many resolve at the pre-action stage, with the Home Office agreeing to reconsider. A well-drafted pre-action letter is often decisive.