CPD Course:
Introduction to
Judicial Review

Dr. Stephen Thomson is an Associate Professor at City University of Hong Kong, where he leads teaching in administrative law.  He is a Legal Adviser to the Ombudsman of Hong Kong, a member of the Constitutional Affairs and Human Rights Committee of the Law Society of Hong Kong, and an examiner on the Overseas Lawyers Qualification Examination.  Dr. Thomson holds a Ph.D. in judicial review from the University of Edinburgh (UK).  In addition to his experience in the field of administrative law, Dr. Thomson is the leading authority on equitable jurisdiction in Scotland where he has written the only book on that subject, cited with approval in the supreme civil court in Scotland.  Dr. Thomson has practical legal and commercial experience, having worked at a UK law firm and acting on a consultancy and advisory basis to law firms, private clients and public bodies in Hong Kong and the UK.

This is an intermediate level course on judicial review in Hong Kong.  It offers a broad overview of judicial review, beginning with its basic principles.  Delegates are guided first through important procedural aspects of review, such as the public/private divide, the leave stage and standing.  An overview is then given of the main substantive aspects of review, in particular the grounds of review such as fettering of discretion, breach of legitimate expectations, unreasonableness and procedural impropriety.  At each stage we consider relevant and contentious issues for the practitioner, with the main rules, principles and case law in judicial review being covered.

• Basic principles of judicial review
• Procedural aspects of review: the public/private divide, the leave stage (including delay, standing and arguability) and ouster clauses
• Substantive aspects of review: the grounds of judicial review (e.g. fettering of discretion, breach of legitimate expectations, unreasonableness and procedural impropriety)