An updated version of a presentation given to law students at Glasgow University on the matters that need to be thought about when preparing a presenting a judicial review case in the Court of Session.

1. Preparing and Presenting
a Judicial Review
Robert Sutherland, Advocate
Terra Firma Chambers

2. Petitioner
What
are you
wanting
to
review?
• a decision?
• an action?
• a policy?
• an omission?

3. Petitioner
The appropriate procedure?
right of appeal?
restrictions on
grounds for
appealing?
restrictions on
who can
appeal?
necessary?
other
proceedings
where same
issue
relevant?

4. Petitioner
individual, group or
representative?
Who
Is
Petitioner
standing?
funding?
Axa General
Insurance Co. Ltd v
Lord Advocate, 2012
SC (UKSC) 122
Walton v The
Scottish Ministers,
2013 (UKSC) 67
McGinty v Scottish
Ministers, [2013]
CSIH 78

5. Petitioner
Who is
Respondent
Interested
Party
• decision maker / policy
maker?
• UK Minister or Scottish
Government?
• who else has an
interest in outcome?
• “devolution issue”
(Scotland Act 1998,
Sched. 6)?

6. Petitioner
Remedies
reduction?
specific implement?

7. Petitioner
• Rules of the Court of Session,
Chapter 58A
Protective
Expenses Orders
• R (Corner House Research) v
The Secretary of State for Trade
and Industry, [2005] 1 WLR
2600
• Newton Mearns Residents
Flood Prevention Group for
Cheviot Drive v East
Renfrewshire Council, [2013]
CSIH 70

8. Petitioner
Grounds?
• illegality (inc. human rights breaches)
• “Wednesbury” unreasonableness
• procedural impropriety
• legitimate expectation

9. The Petition
Form
Structure
Style
• RCS, Form 58.6
• parties
• concise
• productions?
• subject matter
• clear
• other relevant
documents
• grounds for review
• consistent
• remedies
• pleas-in-law
• Schedules and
notice period

10. The Petition
Issues to be anticipated
delay
• Human Rights Act
1998, Section 7(5)
• mora, taciturnity and
acquiescence
• Portobello Park
Action Group v City
of Edinburgh
Council, 2012 SLT
1137
PN No. 1 of 2012
immigration and
asylum - prior
notification
caveats
interim orders
balance of
convenience
transfer to Upper
Tribunal?

11. Respondent
Standing
Competency
Merits
Delay

12. First Orders
caveat?
interim orders?
intimation and service
first hearing date
answers?

13. First Hearing
Introductions
Identify bare
background and
main issues
Outline structure
of submission
The legal
framework
The factual
background
Where the
Respondent has
gone wrong
Pleas-in-law and
orders sought

14. First Hearing
The
Respondent’s
presentation
Response?
Avizandum

15. Preparing and Presenting
a Judicial Review
Robert Sutherland, Advocate
Terra Firma Chambers