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.

Contact us

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  • “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.

Speak to the Public Law team today

For a free initial conversation call 020 7485 8811

Email us Send us an email and we’ll get back to you






    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 team is particularly well regarded for its expertise in accommodation rights and asylum support. It also has dedicated expertise in social welfare matters.

      Chambers UK 2024

    • Osbornes Law has a well-regarded practice which sees the firm act in judicial review challenges against local and central government bodies.

      Chambers UK 2024

    • 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

      Chambers UK 2024

    • All of the team have strong expertise and are able to address enquiries quickly.

      Chambers UK 2024

    • Osbornes are a fantastic team who really stand out in the market in the fields of housing and social care.

      Legal 500 2024

    • Excellent public law firm, strongly dedicated to its vulnerable clients.

      Legal 500 2024

    • Osbornes provides a first-class service to clients, really advocating on their behalf.

      Legal 500 2024

    • Osbornes is highly regarded for conducting judicial review challenges against local authorities and the SSHD

      Legal 500 2024

    • "Osbornes are always very good at dealing with complex cases. They are a very knowledgeable and experienced team."

      Chambers UK 2023

    • "They are very flexible and accessible for vulnerable young people who don't fully understand the legal system."

      Chambers UK 2023

    • "The team adapts with the constant changes that are taking place in the public law sphere; they handle complicated matters with ease."

      Chambers UK 2023

    • William Ford is experienced in representing tenants in disrepair and possession claims, as well as homelessness appeals and judicial reviews concerning allocation of housing.

      Chambers UK 2023

    • "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."

      Legal 500 2023

    • ‘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."

      Legal 500 2023

    • "The team are regularly involved in complex challenges including strategic litigation and policy challenges."

      Legal 500 2023

    • ‘They are a go-to for confident, diligent and careful work and really excel in client care and knowledge in the field.’

      Legal 500 2023

    • "Osbornes are an extremely strong team with highly capable solicitors, associates and partners working in public law."

      Legal 500 2023

    • "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."

      Legal 500 2023

    Housing and Community Care InsightsVIEW ALL

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      Teenage asylum seeker wins legal battle against Council...

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      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...

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    13. 2.12.2020

      Education provision to age disputed migrants

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    14. 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...

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    15. 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...

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    16. 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...

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      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...

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      Judicial review – friend or foe?

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      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...

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      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...

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      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...

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    23. 29.4.2020

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    VIEW ALL

    Speak to the team today

    For a free initial conversation call 020 7485 8811

    Email us Send us an email and we’ll get back to you






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