Judicial Review Solicitor Ireland
When a public body gets it wrong — a refusal, an order, a decision that ignored your side — the High Court can be asked to put it right. Strict time limits apply.
Richard O’Shea, Solicitor — Mary Molloy Solicitors, established 1981. Dublin office beside the Four Courts. Clients nationwide.
Decisions We Help People Challenge
Judicial review reaches almost every corner of public decision-making. These are the areas where challenges most often arise — each explained in plain English.
What Is Judicial Review?
The High Court process for challenging unlawful decisions of public bodies: how it works, what it can achieve and when it applies.
Immigration & Asylum
Challenging international protection refusals, deportation orders, visa and permission refusals and Departmental delay - where a 28-day limit often applies.
Planning & Environmental
Challenging planning permissions and refusals of councils and An Coimisiún Pleanála - including the new Part 9 regime under the 2024 Act.
Government & State Agencies
Decisions - and failures to decide - of Ministers, Departments and State bodies, including compelling long-delayed decisions.
Social Welfare & HSE
Challenging welfare appeals decisions, medical card refusals, HSE and disability service decisions affecting you or your family.
Education Decisions
School expulsions and enrolment, SUSI grant refusals, university and professional-course decisions and exam processes.
Professional & Disciplinary
Challenging fitness-to-practise and regulatory decisions affecting your registration, licence or livelihood.
Prison, Parole & Garda
Decisions affecting prisoners, parole applications and Garda-related processes including complaints bodies.
Licensing & Regulatory
Refused or revoked licences - PSV, firearms, liquor and other regulated activities - and unfair regulatory enforcement.
Process & Time Limits
How a judicial review actually runs from pre-action letter to hearing - and the strict deadlines that decide everything.
Why Time Limits Decide These Cases
Judicial review has one rule that outranks all others: move immediately. The general limit is three months from when grounds first arose — but many planning challenges must be brought within eight weeks, and many immigration and international protection challenges within 28 days. The courts also expect promptness even inside those windows, and extensions are granted only for good and sufficient reason. A strong case brought late is usually a lost case.
Judicial review time limits are strict, are sometimes much shorter than three months, and can run from an earlier date than you expect. The courts can refuse late applications even within the stated period if you have not acted promptly. Nothing on this page calculates your deadline. If you believe a decision affecting you may be unlawful, contact a solicitor immediately.
Start with our Time Limit Checker to see which limit typically applies to your type of decision, or use Can I Judicially Review This Decision? to frame the right questions before you call.
Judicial Review Solicitors By County
All judicial review runs in the High Court in Dublin — so we act for clients everywhere, by phone, email and post.
Judicial Review - Frequently Asked Questions
Received a Decision You Believe Is Wrong?
The clock may already be running. One phone call establishes what limit applies, whether an appeal must come first, and what your realistic options are.
Call 01 5827148