Judicial Review

Amenability?

Is the decision taken by a public authority exercising a public function?

·        Local Authorities, Statutory tribunals/panels, Ministers/Government departments, bodies exercising public functions under statute.

Datafin principle: Even non-statutory bodies can be amenable if they exercise public power.

Standing?

Scottish test (liberal)

·        AXA 2011

·        Walton v Scottish Ministers

Test: Sufficient interest, especially where:

·        Rule of law issues arise.

·        NGO/pressure group acts responsibly.

·        Key point: standing is a threshold, not merits.

Ground of review

Always structure under illegality – procedural impropriety – irrationality

Illegality - a)        Acting Ultra Vires / Misinterpreting Statute

·        Public bodies must act within statutory limits.

·        Anisminic:

o   Errors of law render decisions unlawful.

·        Application:

o   Misreading statutory duties.

o   Treating guidance as binding when statute does not allow it.

Illegality- a)        Failure to Take Relevant Consideration Into Account.

·        Or taking irrelevant ones into account.

·        Examples:

o   Ignoring impact on affected groups.

o   Considering political hostility instead of statutory purpose.

Illegality - Fettering discretion

·        Public bodies may adopt policies but must remain open to exceptions.

·        British Oxygen:

o   Policies allowed but must consider individual cases.

o   Blanket bans = unlawful fettering.

Illegality - Legitimate Expectation

·        Procedural LE

·        Ng Yuen Shiu

o   Promise – duty to follow fair procedure.

·        Substantive LE

·        Coughlan

o   Clear, unambiguous promise.

o   Reliance.

o   Frustration = abuse of power unless overriding public interest.

·        Begbie

o   Political statements = weak expectations

Procedural Impropriety - Right to be heard

·        No universal right – depends on context

·        Ridge v Baldwin

o   Serious consequences – hearing required.

·        Lloyd v McMahon

o   Fairness is flexible.

Procedural Impropriety - Oral Hearing

·        Not automatic.

·        Osborn v Parole Board.

o   Oral hearing required where:

o   Credibility disputed.

o   Serious impact on liberty/rights.

o   Participation matters to fairness.

Procedural Impropriety - Legal Representation

·        No general right.

·        Pett v Greyhound Racing Association.

o   Where livelihood or serious interests at stake – representation may be required.

Procedural Impropriety - Disclosure

·        Fairness may require disclosure of adverse material.

·        Doody:

o   Reasons + information needed to allow meaningful challenge.

Procedural Impropriety - Duty to Give Reasons

·        Not universal, but required where:

o   Decision seriously affects rights.

o   Appeal rights exist.

·        Wordie property:

o   Reasons must be intelligible and adequate.

Bias/Independence

·        Apparent Bia Test

·        Porter v Magill

o   Would the fair-minded and informed observer conclude there is a real possibility of bias?

·        Examples:

o   Financial interest.

o   Personal connection.

o   Prejudicial statements.

Tribunal Independence

·        Art 6 influence (even where not strictly applicable):

o   Composition.

o   Executive influence.

o   Prior involvement.

Irrationality/Unreasonableness

·        Wednesbury Unreasonableness

o   Decisions so unreasonable no reasonable authority could reach it.

·        High threshold.

Proportionality (where relevant)

·        Used when:

o   Human rights engaged.

o   EU law (historically).

·        More structured:

o   Legitimate aim.

o   Rational connection.

o   Least restrictive means.

o   Fair balance.

Human Rights (If raised)

·        Art 6 ECHR

·        Applied where:

o   Civil rights/obligations.

o   Criminal charge.

·        Key rights:

o   Independent tribunal.

o   Fair hearing.

o   Equality of arms.

·        Begum

o   Art 6 does not apply to policy.

Remedies

·        Main remedies (quash decision)

o   Declarator.

o   Interdict.

o   Suspension (delay effect)

·        Discretionary Nature

o   Court may refuse remedy even if illegality shown.