Judicial Review

Introduction

This chapter examines **judicial review**, the mechanism by which the courts supervise the exercise of public power. You will study the **nature, process and limits** of judicial review; the **preliminary requirements** a claimant must satisfy (a **public law** matter, **sufficient interest**, the **time limit**, and any **ouster clause**); the **identity of the decision-maker** and the **public body test** in **ex p Datafin**; the **remedies** available (the prerogative orders and the non-prerogative orders); **standing**; and the **grounds for review** identified by Lord Diplock in **CCSU v Minister for the Civil Service** — **illegality**, **irrationality** and **procedural impropriety** — together with **procedural ultra vires** and **legitimate expectation**.

Assessment focus

For the SQE1 FLK1 assessment, you must understand how judicial review operates and be able to apply it to realistic client scenarios. You should be able to identify whether the **judicial review procedure** is appropriate (the principle of **procedural exclusivity** in **O'Reilly v Mackman** and its exceptions), whether the claimant has **sufficient interest** under **s.31(3) of the Senior Courts Act 1981**, whether the **three-month** time limit under **CPR r 54.5** and **s.31(6)** has been met, and whether an **ouster clause** prevents review (**Anisminic**; **Ostler**). You must recall the **public body test** (**ex p Datafin**), the **prerogative and non-prerogative remedies**, and the **three grounds** of review (**CCSU**) with their leading authorities. Questions are single best answer questions (SBAQs); you will be expected to **apply** these principles and recall the **cases and statutory sections** from memory in this closed-book assessment.

Study tips

1) Memorise the **four preliminary hurdles** in order: **public law matter** (O'Reilly v Mackman) → **sufficient interest** (SCA 1981, s.31(3)) → **time limit** (CPR r 54.5; SCA 1981, s.31(6)) → **ouster clause** (Anisminic). 2) Learn the **two-part public body test** in **ex p Datafin**: the **source of power** test and the **nature of the power** test. 3) Distinguish the **three prerogative orders** (**quashing**, **prohibiting**, **mandatory**) from the **non-prerogative remedies** (**declaration**, **injunction**, **damages** under s.31(4)). All judicial review remedies are **discretionary**. 4) Memorise Lord Diplock's **three grounds** in **CCSU**: **illegality**, **irrationality** (Wednesbury), **procedural impropriety**. 5) Learn the **five ex p World Development factors** for pressure-group standing. 6) Distinguish **procedural** from **substantive** legitimate expectation (**ex p Coughlan**), and **mandatory** from **directory** procedural requirements (**Bradbury**; **Coney**; **Soneji**).