Public law in England and Wales concerns the relationship between individuals and the state. This includes challenging government decisions, holding public bodies accountable, and ensuring that authorities act within their legal powers. If you believe a council, NHS Trust, or government department has made an unlawful decision affecting you, public law is your route to challenge it. The primary remedy is judicial review, which is heard in the Administrative Court (part of the King's Bench Division of the High Court). Judicial review doesn't ask whether a decision was right or wrong—it asks whether it was lawful. Grounds for challenge include illegality, irrationality, and procedural unfairness. Key legislation includes the Human Rights Act 1998, which incorporated the European Convention on Human Rights into UK law, and the Freedom of Information Act 2000 ensuring transparency in public bodies. Administrative law principles are largely developed through case law, including famous decisions like Wednesbury and GCHQ. Our public law articles explain how to challenge local authority decisions, understand your human rights, and navigate the judicial review process. Whether you're facing a planning decision, immigration matter, or benefits dispute, we help you understand when and how to hold public bodies to account.