What is the primary focus of judicial review?

Judicial review primarily focuses on assessing the legality of governmental decisions. This process allows courts to ensure that government actions comply with the law and do not exceed the powers granted to them. Essentially, judicial review serves as a mechanism for the judicial branch to hold the executive and legislative branches accountable, ensuring that their actions are lawful and respect the rights and freedoms of individuals.

By examining decisions made by government officials, judicial review can strike down unlawful actions, providing a crucial check on governmental power. This protects not only the rule of law but also the principles of fairness and justice within a democratic society.

The other options, while related to the functioning of the law and the judiciary, do not encapsulate the principal purpose of judicial review. For instance, while reviewing laws made by Parliament is important, that falls more under the scope of parliamentary sovereignty. Evaluating judicial appointments pertains to how judges are selected rather than the scope of judicial review itself. Lastly, challenging the power of judges would conflict with the principle of judicial independence that is fundamental to the judicial review process.