GovWire

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 persons 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.