Dominic Raab is planning to curb judges’ powers in a move likely to make it harder to bring successful legal challenges against the government in England and Wales, according to a leaked document seen by the Guardian.
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) paper suggests the justice secretary, who is also deputy prime minister, is considering changes that would have the effect of limiting ministers’ accountability in judicial reviews brought by claimants concerned about the way public bodies have taken decisions.
The move comes amid rhetoric from ministers about “ lefty lawyers ” and alleged overreach by judges. The judicial review case that challenged the Rwanda deportation flight has attracted the ire of the government and the Tory leadership contenders.
Despite the government’s having consulted on judicial review only last year and parliament then passing the Judicial Review and Courts Act, which came into effect on 15 July, the MoJ document says: “You (DPM [deputy prime minister]) have indicated that you are minded to consult on further reforms to judicial review.”
It makes suggestions for change – “subject to your initial policy steers and the outcome of any consultation” – that several experts told the Guardian would make it more difficult to bring a successful review.
This story is from the August 08, 2022 edition of The Guardian.
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This story is from the August 08, 2022 edition of The Guardian.
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