The Bar Council has urged all Government Legal Department barristers to respond to a call for evidence around judicial review, saying it is important to provide a ‘broad range of perspectives from as many parts of government as possible’.

The Independent Review of Administrative Law is seeking feedback from government departments over whether judicial review strikes the right balance between enabling citizens to challenge the lawfulness of government action and allowing the executive and local authorities to carry on the business of government.

The panel, chaired by Lord Faulks (Edward Faulks QC), was set up in the wake of the Conservatives' 2019 manifesto commitment to end the ‘abuse’ of judicial review.

Chair of the Bar Council Amanda Pinto QC asked government barristers to provide feedback on how, if at all, judicial review impacts on their decision-making and the ability of departments to discharge their functions.

‘It is important that the review receives a broad range of perspectives from as many parts of government as possible. The call for evidence’s questionnaire also seeks feedback about codification of the judicial review process, as well as posing broader questions about the judicial review process and procedure,’ Pinto said.

A call for evidence document was sent out to more than 200 people last month, including parliamentarians and professional bodies. The consultation closes on 19 October.