Mishcon de Reya Partners Tom Barton and Katy Colton have been featured in an article in The Times speaking about the Government's plans to streamline judicial review in planning decisions in large infrastructure projects.
Tom Barton, a Partner in the Planning team, said that he welcomes the proposals that he hopes will end “cynical” challenges that delay or kill off projects.
“There is currently a disproportionate amount of power in the hands of groups, often well-funded and experienced in judicial review matters, who, against the national interest, wish to stall projects,” he says.
Speaking about the wider judicial review system more generally, Katy Colton, Partner and Head of the Politics and Law Group, argued that a fall in cases suggests that abusive claims are not being made. She notes that safeguards are already built into the process to prevent abuse, including strict time limits. Extending limitation periods, Colton suggests, may result in more cases settling.
She also argues that better legislation and decision-making would lead to fewer judicial reviews.
Read the full article here (subscription required).