Judicial review

We have a national reputation as the “go to” firm for judicial review litigation. Our experience is broad and includes acting for claimants (such as corporates and public sector bodies), defendants (such as central government departments and local authorities) and interested parties in high-profile and complex judicial review proceedings including planning-related proceedings and statutory appeals.

Judicial review claims

We have acted in many of the leading judicial review claims of the past few decades. Our approach is pragmatic and incisive and is informed by our unparalleled experience of litigating judicial review claims in the High Court and our expertise more generally in public law.

Our claimant work includes acting for public bodies as well as individuals and corporate clients in commercial and regulatory matters.

We are routinely instructed by defendants in judicial review litigation. Multiple team members have previously worked in Government (such as the Government Legal Department) and other public sector entities including local authorities. As a result, we understand the unique demands on defendant public authorities (for example in respect of the duty of candour) in judicial review litigation.

Planning judicial review claims

We have extensive experience of challenging and defending planning decisions including statutory challenges under section 288, section 289 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and injunctions restraining breaches of planning control.

We are experts in statutory appeals seeking to quash decisions made by inspectors at planning appeals. Such work also involves challenges in respect of cost decisions. We routinely advise in respect of local plans.

We also act for corporate bodies, non-governmental and non-profit-making organisations or associations with interests in local planning issues and decisions. Reflecting our expertise in this field, members of our team sit on the Planning Court users group.

How we can help

We guide judicial review litigants through the whole judicial review process including:

• The drafting of and response to pre-action protocol letters
• Advising on the merits of proceedings
• Instructing and liaising with counsel
• Advising on costs, including advising on judicial review cost capping orders and protective costs orders in environmental cases
• Document reviews and advice on disclosure under the duty of candour
• Managing all aspects of proceedings including the making of and responding to interim applications
• Preparing for and appearing at hearings
• Advising on appeals and costs recovery