Administrative Procedure and Judicial Review in the United Kingdom

Abstract

This chapter focuses on administrative procedure and judicial review in the United Kingdom. Initially, it should be stressed that administrative law is different across the UK due to devolution. The UK Supreme Court generally acts as a final court of harmonizing case-law principles. As the UK constitution is uncodified, the existence of constitutional provisions concerning judicial review remains somewhat controversial, but the necessity of judicial review is thought to be required by the rule of law. The scope of judicial review is generally governed by judicial precedent. Under section 84 of the Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015, the High Court must refuse to grant a remedy 'if it appears to the court to be highly likely that the outcome for the applicant would not have been substantially different if the conduct complained of had not occurred'. In general, there is no right on judicial review to claim damages for losses caused by unlawful administrative actions. It is usually only possible to receive damages in judicial review claims if there is another established cause of action, separate to the ground for judicial review.