Judicial review: Heads of challenge

Tickets are off sale but we can still take bookings!

Please e-mail [email protected]  if you require a place.  Linklaters have kindly extended our deadline for bookings but we must receive your booking by 12.00 Noon Tuesday 22nd September.   Please note we cannot provide for special dietary requirements on these bookings beyond vegan /  vegetarian.

An in-person event focused on grounds for judicial review.

Experienced practitioners will provide an overview of the principal heads of challenge, and how to identify, target and frame them. Our speakers will use practical examples from their own work and consider any learning on the use of grounds in recent case law.

Presented in partnership with Linklaters.

Date: Thursday 24 September 
Time: 10:00-16:00 (registration from 09:30)
Location: Linklaters’ London office (20 Ropemaker St, London EC2Y 9AR) 

Who is this for 

• Lawyers, advisers, advocates and anyone likely to be involved in judicial review claims, or those wishing to increase their understanding of JR to help their clients 
• Anyone responsible for legal policy in NGOs or Government, or those tasked with Government decision making 
• Those working in campaigning organisations with a legal strategy 
• Those representing and advising marginalised groups in society 

Ticket pricing 

• Standard: £160 – For practitioners in private practice, and those working for a governmental or regulatory body 
• Discounted: £120 – For charities, NGOs, trainee lawyers, academics, and those working in the charity or voluntary sector 
• Advisers: £65 – For those who are advising but not qualified as, or training to be, solicitors or barristers. 
• Student: £20 – For full-time student with valid university email address SOLD OUT

Programme

09:30-10:00 Registration and refreshments 

• Morning chair: Matthew Court, Public Law Project 

10:00-10:20  Introduction by Dr Lewis Graham

Dr Lewis Graham will open the training by offering his thoughts and insights on judicial approaches to public law grounds, drawing on his empirical research into cases decided by the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. 

10:20-11:00 Identifying targets of challenge  

‘What has gone wrong, where and how to spot it!’, or ‘the how and why of the PAP’. Our speakers will address framing grounds for disclosure and solutions (including non-JR solutions) further down the line. They will also look at the distinction between duties and powers, and why that matters for grounds.  They will also address the ‘no substantial difference’ test. 

• Steve Broach KC, 39 Essex Chambers 
• Polly Glynn, Deighton Pierce Glynn 

11:00-11:45 Illegality, part 1

This session will cover the scope of a public body’s powers and how this can lead to claims of ultra vires, fettering discretion, and whether relevant and / or irrelevant considerations are at issue.  

• Gabriel Tan, University of Oxford 
• Alex Fawke, Linklaters
• Hollie Higgins, Blackstone Chambers

11:45-12:00 Break

12:00-13:00 Illegality, part 2

This session will look at the Tameside duty of sufficient inquiry, failure to comply with the PSED, and identifying when human rights may be breached in public law terms.  

• Jenni Richards KC, 39 Essex Chambers
• Jeremy Ogilvie-Harris, Cornerstone Barristers
• Zehrah Hasan, Garden Court Chambers

13:00-14:00 Lunch

• Afternoon chair: Jess Radke, Linklaters

14:00-14:40 Irrationality and proportionality  

This session will explore Wednesbury unreasonableness, its threshold and application, and the difference between procedural and outcome rationality.  Speakers will also address proportionality in human rights cases.   

• Tom Hickman KC, Blackstone Chambers
• Emily Wilsdon, 39 Essex Chambers 

14:40-15:40 Procedural unfairness 

This session will cover statutory procedures, natural justice and fairness, the right to a fair hearing, the duty to give reasons, legitimate expectations and the duty to consult.  The panel will also look at the duty of candour, disclosure (including pre action disclosure) and compliance with procedural obligations.

• Stephanie Harrison KC, Garden Court Chambers
• Ollie Persey, Garden Court Chambers
• Robert Williams KC, Cornerstone Barristers
• Emily Wilsdon, 39 Essex Chambers