David Cameron plans changes to the UK’s judicial review system
DAVID Cameron will today announce plans to shake up the judicial review process to reduce delays to new developments and help build a “leaner, faster” government.
The number of judicial review applications used to challenge a decision by a public body has jumped from 160 in 1975 to 11,200 last year. Only around one in six applications is actually granted, government figures show.
Speaking to the CBI, the Prime Minister will argue that costly and spurious cases clog up the courts, place a heavy burden on the taxpayer and also hold up major infrastructure projects. “We urgently need to get a grip on this,” Cameron will say.
He will propose a number of changes including cutting the three-month time limit on applying for a review and charging more “so people think twice about time-wasting”.
Reforms to the judicial process are part of plans to ensure Britain continues to compete in the global race.
In his speech he is expected to say: “There’s something else you desperately need from us – and that’s speed… because in this global race you are quick or you’re dead. Let me be clear — we have made some massive steps towards leaner, faster government…But we need to do more, because government can still be far too slow at getting stuff done.”
Cameron will also accuse Whitehall of becoming too risk-averse at the expense of growth.
Whitehall must undergo a “revolution,” just as it did during the second world war, he will say.
“This country is in the economic equivalent of war today – and we need the same spirit.”