Guidance

"The Judge Over Your Shoulder"

Guidance to help you navigate the legal frameworks within which public bodies, particularly Government, make decisions

• From: Government Legal Department
• Published: 28 July 2022
• Last updated: 24 October 2022 — See all updates

Documents

The Judge Over Your Shoulder 6th edition

PDF, 1.76 MB, 112 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email [email protected]. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

The Judge Over Your Shoulder accessible PDF

PDF, 1.66 MB, 112 pages

Details

“The Judge Over Your Shoulder” (JOYS) is designed for civil servants, intended to help when advising ministers and government on decision making.

Currently in its 6th edition, it is used to communicate with clients on what to expect when working with government lawyers, allowing for effective collaboration and lowering the risk of legal challenge. The guidance is highly regarded across the legal profession.

The guidance remains a lay person’s guide to Administrative Law – the branch of law that governs the relationship between the government and citizens, and how it is applied.

JOYS is correct as of May 2022 but the law is constantly evolving through the courts and government policy and legislation, so referring to government lawyers is important. JOYS is not legal advice, and it cannot replace the legal advice that a government lawyer can give. However, it is designed to help you to understand the context in which the Government Legal Profession works, and to enable you to prepare questions for us as your legal advisers.

Last published in 2016, the new guidance has been modernised, updated, and discusses the significant legal changes of recent years, including the Judicial Review and Courts Act 2022. The cases considered reflect current legal positions, with insight provided by government lawyers. It also considers legal concepts, including consultation, proportionality, and justiciability.

Published 28 July 2022
Last updated 24 October 2022 + show all updates

1. 24 October 2022

   The Judge Over Your Shoulder accessible PDF

2. 28 July 2022

   Lead image changed

3. 28 July 2022

   Guidance updated

4. 28 July 2022

   First published.