Public Law & Judicial Review
Specialist Judicial Review Lawyers
Our lawyers are highly experienced in challenging public bodies in a range of difference areas. Osbornes are able to draw on the breadth of work they cover across the other areas of law for which we have legal aid contracts. These include housing, community care and welfare benefits.
“Osbornes are one of the leading firms dealing with claims by unaccompanied asylum-seeking minors and age disputed young people. Their case preparation is heads above others I have seen in this field.”
“Osbornes Law are a very highly regarded firm who are at the coalface. They are very on top of their cases.”
Expert lawyers specialising in public law
Public bodies must comply with rules when carrying out their public functions. Where they fail to comply with the rules this can be challenged by way of Judicial Review.
Examples of the type of cases our specialist public law solicitors can assist with include the following:
- Challenges to decisions concerning homelessness duties
- Challenges to Local Authorities’ housing allocation schemes
- Cases involving welfare benefits
- Failures by Children’s services involving children and young persons
- Cuts to public services
- Age assessment challenges
- Securing access to support for asylum seekers and migrants
- Challenges to the decision making of the Legal Aid Agency in relation to legal aid.
Our team also provide advice and training to charities and public sector organisations.
If you disagree with a decision, or you are concerned about the impact of a rule or policy of a public body, please contact the Public Law team at Osbornes to discuss whether it is something we can assist with.
Judicial Review FAQs
What is a public body?
A public body is an organisation carrying out a public function. Examples of public bodies include Local Authorities, government departments, and Housing Associations.
How will my public law case be funded?
Osbornes Law is able to conduct public law case work under our Public Law contract with the Legal Aid Agency. For those that do not qualify for legal aid we can discus other funding options.
If I win my public law case what order will the Court make?
The Court will not substitute its decision for that of the public body. The Courts roles is supervisory and to ensure that the law has been complied with. It can strike down unlawful acts but in almost all cases a successful Judicial Review claim will simply rule as unlawful the act that is complained of by the Claimant, thus requiring the public body to make a fresh decision.
Are there other organisations I can get help from
Below is a list of useful organisations who may be able to help:
- The Public Law Project https://publiclawproject.org.uk/
- Child Poverty Action Group https://cpag.org.uk/
- Shelter https://www.shelter.org.uk/
- The Equality and Human Rights Commission https://equalityhumanrights.com/en
- The Aire Centre https://www.airecentre.org/
The team is particularly well regarded for its expertise in accommodation rights and asylum support. It also has dedicated expertise in social welfare matters.
Osbornes Law has a well-regarded practice which sees the firm act in judicial review challenges against local and central government bodies.
Osbornes are on top of the law and best practice surrounding age assessments of putative children; this filters through to their case preparation and client care at every stage
All of the team have strong expertise and are able to address enquiries quickly.
Osbornes are a fantastic team who really stand out in the market in the fields of housing and social care.
Excellent public law firm, strongly dedicated to its vulnerable clients.
Osbornes provides a first-class service to clients, really advocating on their behalf.
Osbornes is highly regarded for conducting judicial review challenges against local authorities and the SSHD
"Osbornes are always very good at dealing with complex cases. They are a very knowledgeable and experienced team."
"They are very flexible and accessible for vulnerable young people who don't fully understand the legal system."
"The team adapts with the constant changes that are taking place in the public law sphere; they handle complicated matters with ease."
William Ford is experienced in representing tenants in disrepair and possession claims, as well as homelessness appeals and judicial reviews concerning allocation of housing.
"I have nothing but praise for Osbornes Law. They provide an excellent client centered service. I would not hesitate to recommend them. A client would be in very safe hands with them."
‘I have worked with Osbornes on judicial reviews, in which they have an excellent reputation.’
"The team are exceptionally dedicated and hard-working. The team also have an excellent command of the applicable legal principles and are adept at exploring the best evidence on behalf of their clients."
"The team are regularly involved in complex challenges including strategic litigation and policy challenges."
‘They are a go-to for confident, diligent and careful work and really excel in client care and knowledge in the field.’
"Osbornes are an extremely strong team with highly capable solicitors, associates and partners working in public law."
"The administrative and public law team at Osbornes are highly experienced with a consistently high standard of work. They have tackled some of the most important recent public law cases involving housing and social welfare issues."
Housing and Community Care InsightsVIEW ALL
- 23.1.2024
Case Reiterates Local Authorities should follow Allocation Scheme
R (on the application of Kukhtyak) -v- London Borough of Hounslow [2023] EWHC 2914 (Admin) This sad case concerned an elderly couple...
Read more - 7.12.2023
Supreme Court sets High Threshold for Local Authorities...
Judgment was handed down on 28 November 2023 by the Supreme Court in an important case regarding the main housing duty. The...
Read more - 15.8.2023
The Renters (Reform) Bill – Will it have the...
There has been much publicity recently over the Renters (Reform) Bill, the assumption being that the government have their eye...
Read more - 14.7.2022
20 Years of Celebrating Legal Aid Lawyers
This year the litigation team at Osbornes attended the 20th anniversary of the Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year 2022 (“LALY 2022”)...
Read more - 16.5.2022
Immediate, Non-Deferrable and Unqualified
Judgment was handed down on 04 May 2022 in the Court of Appeal in an important case regarding the main housing duty....
Read more - 5.11.2021
Council overturns unlawful housing policy
Homeless teenager claims victory for more than 1,200 homeless people after forcing council to overturn unlawful housing policy A homeless teenager...
Read more - 3.9.2021
Homeless Teenager takes London Council to High Court
A homeless teenager is taking a London council to the High Court for ‘unlawfully’ banning hundreds of homeless people from...
Read more - 19.8.2021
Housing Disrepair Scandal in South London
Following an investigation by ITV nearly 500 homes in the Eastfields Estate in Mitcham, south London, owned by the housing association...
Read more - 8.4.2021
Council to amend unlawful housing allocation banding process
For the last 8 years Brent Council has stopped the majority of homeless applicants from bidding for rehousing, treating them as ‘...
Read more - 25.1.2021
Hackney Council ignore vulnerable resident’s request
Paranoid schizophrenic ignored by Hackney Council for four years wins legal battle over unsafe front door A man who suffers...
Read more - 25.1.2021
Teenage asylum seeker wins legal battle against Council...
Vulnerable teenage asylum seeker wins age case against the council which unlawfully assessed him A vulnerable teenager who sought asylum...
Read more - 23.12.2020
EU Nationals with Pre-Settled Status entitled to benefits...
Court Judgment means EU Nationals with Pre-Settled Status can access benefits and housing On 18 December 2020 the Court of Appeal handed...
Read more - 2.12.2020
Education provision to age disputed migrants
The thorny issue of education provision to age disputed migrants There was an interesting article in The Guardian last week...
Read more - 24.11.2020
Is the delay in the Renters Reform Bill...
There have been issues tenants have faced for a long time before pandemic; namely no fault evictions and the other...
Read more - 20.11.2020
Up Up and away to the First Tier...
This year we assisted in written representations for a welfare benefit case in the Upper Tribunal. This is a Housing...
Read more - 20.11.2020
You are homeless because you are in shared...
It is well established that shared facilities are not suitable for families with children as long term accommodation. The client...
Read more - 24.8.2020
Housing Lawyer at Osbornes comments on the government’...
Alex McMahon, expert housing lawyer in the housing and community care department at Osbornes has been quoted in various publications...
Read more - 13.8.2020
Judicial review – friend or foe?
The Government announced on 31st July 2020 that an independent panel has been asked to look at judicial review to consider...
Read more - 24.7.2020
Rejecting tenants on housing benefit deemed indirect discrimination
In a recent decision in the County Court at York it was held that a letting agent’s policy of...
Read more - 27.5.2020
I am vulnerable and homeless but the Council...
Homelessness law and procedure can be very complicated. We hope this blog gives you some helpful pointers but it is...
Read more - 5.5.2020
I have lost my job and I have...
The impact of the current pandemic is being felt by many, but the prospect of losing your job or not...
Read more - 4.5.2020
I am renting from a private landlord and...
I know that many individuals across the country are extremely worried about the instability of their housing. This was a...
Read more - 29.4.2020
Case news: Housing benefit decision addresses issue of...
The background You might be forgiven for thinking that the question of whether a course is full time or part...
Read more - 28.4.2020
When does a Local Authority have to provide...
Absolutely anyone can be struck down by misfortune and find themselves in a situation where they are homeless. Though many...
Read more