Judicial review is an important way that courts help to make sure government agencies follow the law. By checking if decisions made by these agencies are legal and reasonable, courts help protect citizens from unfair treatment.

Here are some key ways courts impact judicial review:

1. Creating Legal Guidelines: Courts create and improve rules that guide how judicial review works. For example, they focus on ideas like ultra vires, which means acting beyond one's powers. These rules help decide when someone can challenge an agency's decision and how to evaluate it.

2. Deciding How to Review: Courts figure out how closely they should look at agency actions. They might use different levels of review, such as:

   • Deferential Review: This is when courts trust the expertise of agencies, especially in complex areas like health and the environment.
   • Strict Scrutiny: When important rights are involved, courts may take a harder look and need a strong reason for the agency’s actions.

3. Balancing Powers: Courts help keep a balance between what the law wants and what agencies do. They make sure agencies do not go too far and that they follow the law.

4. Encouraging Accountability: By reviewing agency actions, courts hold these agencies accountable. This openness builds public trust in the government and helps protect individual rights.

5. Shaping Policies: Court decisions can change how agencies operate. A significant ruling might force an agency to change its rules or rethink its processes, which can influence future government actions.

Through these roles, courts not only enforce laws but also adjust and refine how judicial review works, helping to improve administrative law. The ongoing relationship between courts and government agencies is key to ensuring fair governance.