You want a government decision reconsidered
A decision can affect a licence, project or business without providing an obvious route to challenge it. We examine the decision and governing legislation before advising whether reconsideration, merits review, an appeal or judicial review could assist.
- Jurisdiction
- New South Wales
- Page type
- Issue overview
- Timing
- Time-sensitive
On this page
This page may be relevant if:
- You have received a refusal, restriction or other adverse decision
- You need to know whether internal or external review is available
- You are comparing a challenge with negotiation or a revised application
What this usually means
- Review rights depend on the decision and the statutory scheme. Not every decision carries a right to merits review.
- Merits review examines the decision under the powers given to the review body. Judicial review concerns legal validity; it is not a general opportunity to obtain a preferred result.
- Identify the correct applicant, forum, preliminary steps and time limit. Do not assume a complaint, correspondence or an information request preserves a review right.
What commonly matters
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The decision and the objective
Obtain the decision, reasons and notification record. Identify whether the practical aim is a different condition, a fresh decision or another form of relief.
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The available pathway
Check jurisdiction and any required internal review. A process available for one kind of licence or approval may not apply to another.
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Value and risk
Compare the likely benefit with legal fees, expert evidence, delay and potential exposure to another party's costs. A successful procedural challenge may still lead to the same substantive result.
How we help
- Identify available review and appeal pathways
- Assess evidence, remedies and the value of proceedings
- Prepare review applications and conduct proceedings within our practice areas
This page is general information only and is not legal advice. It may not be current, and how the law applies depends on the specific facts. For advice on your situation, contact Stone & Pillar Legal.
Related situations
- Council & regulatory You question the legality of a government decision NSW judicial review of government decisions affecting land and business: statutory power, process, remedies, evidence and the limits of a successful challenge.
- Council & regulatory A decision may take effect before your challenge is heard NSW stays and interim orders in land and regulatory disputes: immediate consequences, evidence, the underlying proceedings and costs risks.
- Council & regulatory You need the reasons or records behind a decision NSW government information and reasons requests: identifying useful records, GIPA access pathways, statutory limits and related review deadlines.
- Council & regulatory An authority is proposing an adverse decision Preparing NSW show-cause responses and representations about proposed government decisions, including evidence, statutory criteria and workable alternatives.
Where to start
Discuss government decision review
Start with the decision and its practical consequences. A preliminary call can establish whether we can help assess the review options and urgent dates.
30 minutes · Phone or Teams · No charge
Complimentary 30-minute preliminary call. No legal advice is provided. Neither booking nor the call engages the firm; we act only once we confirm in writing. Tell us any deadline or response date; it remains your responsibility until we confirm in writing that we act for you.