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Law vocabulary · Judgments, Appeals & Remedies

Judicial review

Meaning in law, with examples

nounCommon term

In law, judicial review means: The power of courts to check whether decisions or laws made by public authorities are lawful, and to cancel them if they are not.

In Turkish: yargısal denetim, idari işlemlerin yargısal denetimi, anayasaya uygunluk denetimi

How it is used

The meaning depends on the country. In the UK it usually means a claim in the High Court challenging a decision of a public body, such as a ministry or a council. In the US it often means the courts' power to strike down laws as unconstitutional. People 'apply for' or 'seek' judicial review.

Example sentences

  1. The residents applied for judicial review of the council's decision to close the library.

  2. Judicial review is not an appeal on the merits; the court only asks whether the decision was lawful.

Common collocations

  • apply for judicial review
  • seek judicial review
  • grounds for judicial review
  • subject to judicial review
  • judicial review proceedings
  • unlawfulNot allowed by law, whether it breaks criminal law, civil law or a regulation; the opposite of lawful.
  • constitutional courtA special court that decides whether laws and state actions comply with the constitution and, in many countries, hears individual complaints about rights violations.
  • ultra viresA Latin phrase meaning 'beyond the powers', used when a public authority, company or official acts outside the legal powers it has been given.
  • public lawThe area of law that deals with the state and its relationship with individuals, including constitutional, administrative and criminal law.
  • separation of powersThe principle that the power of the state is divided between the legislature, the executive and the judiciary, so that no single branch controls everything.

More terms: Judgments, Appeals & Remedies

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not legal advice.