Part 56
Administrative Law
Contents of the Part
| Scope of this Part | Rule 56.1 |
| Who may apply for judicial review | Rule 56.2 |
| Judicial review - application for leave | Rule 56.3 |
| Judicial review - hearing of application for leave | Rule 56.4 |
| Delay | Rule 56.5 |
| Proceedings by way of claim which should be an application for an administrative order | Rule 56.6 |
| How to make an application for an administrative order | Rule 56.7 |
| Publicity | Rule 56.8 |
| Joinder of claims for other relief | Rule 56.9 |
| Service of claim form for an administrative order | Rule 56.10 |
| Evidence in answer | Rule 56.11 |
| Case Management Conference | Rule 56.12 |
| Applications | Rule 56.13 |
| Hearing of Claim | Rule 56.14 |
| Special provisions relating to orders for judicial review | Rule 56.15 |
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| Scope of this part 56.1 (1) This Part deals with applications - (a) for judicial review (which includes mandamus, prohibition and certiorari); (b) by way of originating motion under s.14(1) of the Constitution; (c) for a declaration in which a party is the State, a court, a tribunal or any other public body; (d) where the court has power by virtue of any enactment to quash any order, scheme, certificate or plan, any amendment or approval of any plan, any decision of a minister or government department or any action on the part of a minister or government department. (2) In this part such applications are referred to generally as "applications for an administrative order".
Who may apply for judicial review 56.2 An application for judicial review may be made by any person, group or body which has sufficient interest in the subject matter of the application including - (a) any individual who can show that he has been adversely affected by the decision which is the subject of the application; or (b) any body or group acting at the request of a person or persons who would be entitled to apply under paragraph (a); and (c) any body or group that represents the views of its members who may have been adversely affected by the decision which is the subject of the application; or (d) any statutory body where the subject matters falls within its statutory remit; and (e) any body or group that can show that the matter is of public interest and that the body or group possesses expertise in the subject matter of the application. Judicial Review - application for leave. 56.3 (1) No application for judicial review may be made unless the court gives leave. (2) An application for leave may be made without notice. (3) The application must state - (a) the name, address and description of the applicant and respondent; and (b) the relief including in particular details of any interim relief sought; and (c) the grounds on which such relief is sought; and (d) the applicant's address for service; and (e) whether an alternative form of redress exists and, if so, why judicial review is more appropriate or why the alternative has not been pursued; and (f) details of any consideration which the applicant knows the respondent has given to the matter in question in response to a complaint made by or on behalf of the applicant; and (g) whether any time limit for making the application has been exceeded and, if so, why; and (h) whether the applicant is personally or directly aggrieved by the decision about which complaint is made; or (i) where the applicant is not personally or directly aggrieved, what public or other interest the applicant has in the matter; and (j) the name and address of the applicant's attorneys (if applicable); and (k) the applicant's address for service. (4) The application must be verified by evidence on affidavit which must include a short statement of all the facts relied on. (5) The applicant must file his application for leave and affidavit not later than the day before the application is to be heard.
Judicial Review - hearing of application for leave 56.5 (1) An application for leave to make a claim for judicial review must be considered by a judge of the High Court. (2) The judge may give leave without hearing the applicant. (3) However, if (a) the judge is minded to refuse the application; or (b) the application includes a claim for immediate interim relief; or (c) it appears that a hearing is desirable in the interests of justice, he must direct that a hearing in open court be fixed. (4) The judge may direct that notice be given to the respondent or the Attorney General of the hearing. (5) Where the application relates to any judgment, order, conviction or other proceedings which are subject to appeal, the judge may adjourn consideration of the application to a date after the appeal has been determined. (6) The judge may allow the application to be amended. (7) The judge may grant leave on such conditions or terms as he considers just. (8) Where the application is for an order of prohibition or certiorari the judge must direct whether or not the grant of leave operates as a stay of the proceedings. (9) The judge may grant such interim relief as appears just. (10) On granting leave the judge must direct when the case management conference or, in case of urgency, the hearing of the application for a judicial review should take place. (11) Leave must be conditional on the applicant making a claim for judicial review within 14 days.
Delay 56.6 (1) The judge may refuse leave or to grant relief in any case in which he considers that there has been unreasonable delay before making the application. (2) Where the application is for leave to make a claim for an order of certiorari the general rule is that the application must be made within three months of the proceedings to which it relates. (3) When considering whether to refuse leave or to grant relief because of delay the judge must consider whether the granting of leave or relief would be likely to - (a) cause substantial hardship to or substantially prejudice the rights of any person; or (b) be detrimental to good administration.
Proceedings by way of claim which should be an application for an administrative order 56.7 (1) This rule applies where a claimant issues a claim for damages or other relief other than an administrative order but where the facts supporting such claim are such that the only or main relief is an administrative order. (2) The court may at any stage direct that the claim is to proceed by way of an application for an administrative order. (3) Where the appropriate administrative relief would be by way of judicial review the court may give leave for the matter to proceed as if an application had been made under rule 56.4. (4) If the court makes a directions under paragraph (2) it must give such directions as are necessary to enable the claim to proceed under this Part.
How to make an application for an administrative order 56.8 (1) An application for an administrative order must be made by a fixed date claim identifying whether the application is - (a) for judicial review; or (b) under section 14(1) of the Constitution; or (c) for a declaration; or (d) for some other administrative order (naming it). (2) The claim form in an application under section 14(1) of the Constitution must be headed 'Originating Motion'. (3) The claimant must file with the claim form an affidavit. (4) The affidavit must state - (a) the name, address and description of the claimant and the defendant; (b) the nature of the relief sought identifying (i) any interim relief sought; and (ii) whether the claimant seeks damages, restitution or recovery of a sum due or alleged to be due, setting out the facts on which such claim is based and., where practicable, specifying the amount of any money claimed; (c) in the case of a claim under s 14(1) of the Constitution, setting out the provision of the Constitution which the claimant alleges has been, is being or is likely to be breached; (d) the grounds on which such relief is sought; (e) the facts on which the claim is based; (f) the claimant's address for service; and (g) giving the names and addresses of all defendants to the claim. (4) The general rule is that the affidavit must be made by the claimant or where the claimant is not an individual by an appropriate officer of the body making the claim. (5) If the claimant is unable to make the affidavit it may be made by some other person on his behalf but must state why the claimant is unable to make the affidavit. (6) On issuing the claim the court office must fix a date for a case management conference which must be endorsed on the claim form. (7) The general rule is that the case management conference must take place no later than four weeks after the date of issue of the claim. (8) However, any party may apply to a Judge in Chambers for that date to be brought forward or for an early date to be fixed for the hearing of the application for an administrative order. (9) The application may be without notice but must be supported by evidence.
Publicity 56.9 (1) When an application is made for an administrative order the application must be made public in the following way. (2) There must be posted in a prominent position accessible to the public in the court office a notice stating (a) the date the claim was filed; and (b) the name and address of the claimant; and (c) the name and address of the defendant; and (d) a short description of the nature of the complaint; and (e) the date time and place of the case management conference.
Joinder of claims for other relief 56.10 (1) The general rule is that, where permitted by the substantive law, the applicant may include a claim for any other relief or remedy that arises out of or is related or connected to the subject matter of an application for an administrative order. (2) The court may however at any stage - (a) direct that any claim for other relief be dealt with separately from the application for an administrative order; or (b) direct that the whole application be dealt with as a claim and give appropriate directions under Parts 26 and 27; and, in either case, (c) make any order it considers just as to costs that have been wasted because of the unreasonable use of the procedure under this rule. Service of claim form for an administrative order 56.11 (1) The claim form and the affidavit in support must be served on the defendants not less than 14 days before the date fixed for the case management conference. (2) A claim form relating to an application under s 14(1) of the Constitution must be served on the Attorney General. (3) Where leave has been given to make a claim for judicial review the claimant must also serve a copy of - (a) the application for leave; (b) the affidavit in support; and (c) the order giving leave. (4) Where the Attorney General is not a defendant, the claimant must give notice of the claim to the Solicitor General immediately after service of the claim on any defendant. (5) The notice must have attached to it a copy of the claim and the affidavit in support. (6) The claimant must file at the court office not less than 7 days before the date fixed for the case management conference an affidavit which - (a) gives the names and addresses of all defendants who have been served with the claim; (b) states the date and place of service on each such defendant; (c) states when the notice under paragraph (2) was given to the Solicitor General; and (d) if any defendant has not been served states that fact and the reason for it. (7) If the judge considers that any person who should have been served has not been served the judge may adjourn the case management conference to a fixed date and give directions for service. (Part 5 deals generally with the service of claims)
Evidence in answer 56.12 Any evidence filed in answer to an application for an administrative order must be by affidavit but the provisions of Part 10 apply to such affidavit.
Case Management Conference 56.13 (1) At the case management conference the judge must give any directions that may be required to ensure the expeditious and just trial of the claim and the provisions of Parts 25 to 27 of these Rules apply. (2) The judge may allow the claimant to amend any claim for an administrative order or to substitute another form of application for that originally made. (3) At the case management conference the judge may allow any person who appears to have sufficient interest in the subject matter of the claim to be heard whether or not he has been served with the claim. (4) The judge must direct whether any person or body having such interest is to make submissions by way of written brief or whether such person or body may make oral submissions at the hearing. (5) Where there is more than one claim by one or more persons or bodies or against one or more persons in respect of the same office made on the same grounds the judge may direct that they be consolidated.
Applications 56.14 Any application during a claim for an administrative order must be made to the judge who heard the case management conference unless that judge otherwise directs.
Hearing of application 56.15 (1) At the hearing of the application the judge may allow any person or body which appears to have a sufficient interest in the subject matter of the claim to make submissions whether or not he has been served with the application. (2) Such a person or body must make submissions by way of a written brief unless the judge orders otherwise. (3) The judge may grant any relief that appears to be justified by the facts proved before him whether or not such relief should have been sought by an application for an administrative order. (4) The judge may, however, make such orders as to costs as appear to him to be just including a wasted costs order. (5) Where the judge makes any order as to costs he must assess them. (Part 66 deals with the court's discretion on costs)
Special provisions relating to orders for judicial review 56.16 (1) Where the claimant seeks an order of certiorari to remove any proceedings for the purpose of quashing them, the claimant may not question the validity of any order, warrant, commitment, conviction or record unless before the trial he has lodged with the court office a copy of the order, etc., verified by affidavit or can account for his failure to do so to the satisfaction of the court. (2) Where the claim is for an order of certiorari, the judge may if satisfied that there are reasons for quashing the decision to which the claim relates - (a) direct that the proceedings be quashed on their removal to the High Court; and (b) remit the matter to the court, tribunal or authority concerned with a direction to reconsider it and reach a decision in accordance with the findings of the High Court. |