Judicial review is a long-standing legal remedy that stands at the heart of the judiciary's role in our society. It is the essence of the s.96-constitutional role of Superior Court. Historically legislatures have tried to limit, or even abolish, it with privative clauses - but the rule of the courts has prevailed, and so it must.
In legal practice the possibility of judicial review arises whenever one wishes to challenge an act of government, a government agent or a tribunal, and there is no statutory appeal. There is even some law that renders private organizations subject to judicial review.
Cases to do
- Certified General Accountants Association of Canada v. Canadian Public Accountability Board, 2008 CanLII 1536 (ON SCDC) [JR of private bodies, complex]
The author has waived all copyright and related or neighboring rights to this Isthatlegal.ca webpage.