Public law and judicial review solicitors for organisations

About disputes with public bodies

Anthony Collins’ public law and judicial review solicitors provide sector-specialist support to housing associations, local authorities, charities and health and social care providers – in both bringing and defending public law challenges.

For public and third sector organisations, the stakes extend well beyond the immediate legal challenge. An unlawful decision by a public body can affect service delivery, funding, regulatory standing and the communities your organisation exists to support. A housing association challenging a funding decision, a charity contesting a regulatory ruling, or a care provider disputing a commissioner’s determination, each faces consequences that can ripple far beyond the dispute itself.

In many cases, disputes with public bodies can be resolved without litigation – through the organisation’s formal complaints process, escalation to the relevant ombudsman, or where a statutory route exists, through tribunal proceedings. Where those avenues fail to produce an appropriate outcome, judicial review provides the mechanism to challenge the decision in the court.

How our public law and judicial review specialists can help

With our experience of working shoulder to shoulder with organisations across regulated and publicly accountable sectors, our team assists local authorities, housing associations, health and social care providers and charities across the full scope of public law matters – from governance and regulatory disputes through to judicial review proceedings.

We understand that the decision to challenge a public body, or defend a challenge, is never taken lightly. It requires careful assessment of legal merit, a clear understanding of the strict time limits, and a focused strategy for achieving the right outcome with proportionate cost and risk.

Our public law and judicial review service covers:

• Assessing the strength and merit of a potential claim or defence
• Advising on pre-action correspondence and the duty to exhaust alternative remedies first
• Preparing and filing the claim and supporting evidence
• Obtaining permission from the court to proceed with judicial review
• Preparing and filing the acknowledgment of service and if necessary, detailed grounds
• Full representation during High Court and Upper Tribunal proceedings
• Advising public bodies on the lawfulness of their own decisions and processes to prevent successful challenge
• Procurement disputes

Where the right outcome can be achieved through negotiation or Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) we will pursue it. Where proceedings are necessary, we are fully prepared to act.