Judicial review is best described as:

• A. A process to appoint new departments.
• B. A court reviewing a government department decision solely for legality.
• C. A process to punish departments for wrongdoing.
• D. A way to bypass the courts for urgent disputes.

Answer: (B)

Judicial review is a court process that checks whether a government authority acted within its legal powers and followed fair procedures. It focuses on legality rather than the merits of the decision, asking if the decision was lawful, not whether it was the best policy. If the authority exceeded its powers or failed to follow required procedures, the court can overturn or require reconsideration. This is why describing it as a court reviewing a government department decision solely for legality is the best fit. It is not about creating or appointing departments, not about punishing departments for wrongdoing, and it does not provide a shortcut to avoid the courts in urgent disputes.