Update on judicial review of ‘good character’ citizenship policy

Our immigration and public law teams are acting in a group of judicial reviews that challenge the Home Office’s policy guidance on assessing the issue of ‘good character’ in applications for British citizenship. You can read our previous update on the challenge here.  

The High Court has now granted permission for a group of lead claims to be considered at a full judicial review hearing. The 3-day hearing will take place on 9-11 June 2026 in front of the Divisional Court. The Divisional Court hears judicial review claims that raise important public interest issues and normally comprises 1 Court of Appeal judge and 1 High Court judge. The Court normally provides its decision in writing 2-6 months after the hearing.

There are 4 lead claimants, all of whom have been recognised as refugees in the UK and have indefinite leave to remain. Other people represented by our firm have had their judicial review claims ‘stayed’ behind the lead claims, which means their claims are paused until after the lead claims are decided.  

Other people we are representing (or we have advised) who have had their applications refused have decided to delay making requests for reconsideration until after the lead claims are decided. Others have made use of the mechanism provided for in the court’s decision granting permission which allows for the judicial review time limit for challenging the policy, or a refusal decision made applying the policy, to be extended until 3 months after the lead claims are decided (see paragraph 3 of the permission order).

Pending the High Court’s decision on the lead claims, whether it is best to delay making an application, or what to do if you are refused, depends on your individual circumstances. Our immigration department offers a private diagnostic service; if you would like further information about this, you can email immigration@wilsonllp.co.uk.  

We have been working closely with a team of barristers at One Pump Court Chambers. We are proud of the work done by everyone on our team who have worked on these cases. Some people we have represented have been granted British citizenship following application or after lodging judicial reviews. One of our successful cases was recently covered by The Guardian.  

Our work on the lead judicial review claims is led by Mala Savjani, Marcela Navarrete and Jed Pennington. The barrister team are led by Victoria Laughton and David Chirico KC.