The Administrative Court will start hearing High Court cases at the Bristol Civil Justice Centre from Monday 5 November.
The Administrative Court deals with challenges by judicial review to decisions by public bodies such as local authorities, Government departments and regulatory bodies. The Court also deals with appeals on a point of law from the Magistrates’ Courts.
Cases will be heard at the Bristol Centre by both High Court Judges and Deputy High Court Judges.
The move completes the process of regionalising the work of the Administrative Court. Since April 2008 the Court has been operating in three English regions (Northern, North East and the Midlands) and in Wales, with Administrative Court Offices in Birmingham, Cardiff, Leeds and Manchester. These are in addition to the Royal Courts of Justice.
Mr Justice Beatson, Queen's Bench Liaison Judge for the Midlands, Wales and Western Circuit, said:
“This is the latest step in the devolution of the administration of justice outside of London and means that the Administrative Court is now operating across all the circuits in England and Wales. It is appropriate that people should be able to have their Administrative claims dealt with in their own region and doesn’t prejudice those who don’t live or work on London and the South East.”
Applications to be heard in Bristol will be administered by the Administrative Court Office in Wales.
-ends-
Notes to Editors:1. In November 2007 a Judicial Working Group published its report, Justice Outside of London. The report is available online at:
http://www.judiciary.gov.uk/publications-and-reports/reports/general/justice-outside-london2. In 2011 a total of 297 cases were issued in all Administrative Court regions that had a Western circuit connection. It is expected that approximately 200 cases will be lodged in Cardiff for hearing in Bristol per annum.
