JUDICIAL REVIEW

That this House notes that judicial review is a mechanism whereby citizens can take action to ensure that public authorities act in accordance with the will of Parliament; recognises with sadness that at times public servants and public authorities act in ways which are not in accordance with the law and hence such a remedy is necessary; further recognises that there is a procedural problem whereby misconceived judicial reviews are used to hold up substantial projects; further notes that aiming to price out applications for judicial review would be contrary toBritish tradition as expressed in Article XXIX of Magna Carta 1297; and calls, therefore, for the Government to take a balanced perspective in any changes to the procedures of judicial review to ensure that protection remains from arbitrary and oppressive actions by public authorities for ordinary people.