UK public law judicial review : procedure

The National Gardens Council, which owns a large amount of land in the county of Wessex, has decided to bar the members of the Wessex Rose Lovers Association from going to its gardens, due to a number of thefts of rare species. They have also banned Fred Blood, a noted television garden programme presenter from their grounds, because he criticised the management of the council when they sacked his brother.

Both Mr Blood and the Rose Lovers Association have appealed to the National Ombudsman for Public Gardens, but he has refused to hear the case. They now consult you after 3 months of delay.

Advise Mr Blood and the Rose Lovers Association as to any procedural difficulties they may face in seeking to challenge the decisions of the Council and the Ombudsman by means of judicial review.