What is the core purpose of judicial review in the UK?

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Multiple Choice

What is the core purpose of judicial review in the UK?

Judicial review is about checking that public bodies exercise power properly. It ensures decisions are made within the law, are reasonable, and follow fair procedures. In practice this means courts look at whether a public authority acted beyond its legal powers (illegality), reached a decision that is so irrational it cannot be supported (unreasonableness), or failed to follow proper procedures or natural justice (procedural propriety). It isn’t about making government decisions popular, nor about private companies, and it isn’t a tool to speed up policy—quite the opposite, as the review can delay or require reconsideration to ensure the action is lawful and fair.

Judicial review is about checking that public bodies exercise power properly. It ensures decisions are made within the law, are reasonable, and follow fair procedures. In practice this means courts look at whether a public authority acted beyond its legal powers (illegality), reached a decision that is so irrational it cannot be supported (unreasonableness), or failed to follow proper procedures or natural justice (procedural propriety). It isn’t about making government decisions popular, nor about private companies, and it isn’t a tool to speed up policy—quite the opposite, as the review can delay or require reconsideration to ensure the action is lawful and fair.

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