How to challenge a public body's decision in court
Judicial review lets the High Court check whether a public body acted lawfully. It is not an appeal on the merits, and the deadlines are short and strict.
The time limit
The claim form must be filed promptly, and in any event not later than three months after the grounds to make the claim first arose. The two tests are separate: filing within three months is not automatically prompt. 1
The parties cannot extend these time limits by agreement, and any law that sets a shorter limit applies instead. 1
For decisions by the Secretary of State or a local planning authority under the planning Acts, the claim form must be filed within six weeks after the grounds arose. 1
The claim form
Claims are made on form N461, which repeats the rule: file promptly and within three months. The court service publishes a guide to judicial review alongside it. 2
Sources
- legislation.gov.uk/cy/uksi/1998/3132/rule/54.5, read 4 November 2026 · saved copy
- assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/64a2dde045b6a200123d47c6/N461.pdf, read 4 November 2026 · saved copy
More ways to hold power to account
- How to make a Freedom of Information request
- How to ask for environmental information (EIR)
- How to get the information an organisation holds about you
- If a public body refuses or ignores your request
- How to check what people in power have declared
- How to make a Freedom of Information request in Scotland
- How to see your council's papers and accounts
- Records you have a right to because of your role
- How to escalate a complaint about government
- Who to blow the whistle to
- Public registers of power and money
This guide explains the rules; it is not legal advice. Report an error.