Internal review and administrative justice: some evidence and research questions from homelessness decision-making

Abstract

This article reports findings from preliminary research regarding the internal review of Scottish homelessness decision-making. The article uses these findings to generate research questions regarding internal review and administrative justice. It suggests that further exploration is needed concerning the relationship between informal and formal internal reviewing of administrative bodies, and between internal review and other accountability pressures which co-exist within the administrative arena. Attention needs to be paid to the range of matters which are scrutinized by administrative bodies and their relative value to the organization. Deeper qualitative research is required to assess the extent to which the adoption of internal review reflects an organizational commitment to the model of procedural justice reflected in its structure. Research is also required to explore why citizens challenge welfare decisions, why more citizens do not, and in relation to the few who do, why they do not persevere beyond the initial stages of review.

Keywords:

• Administrative Justice
• Administrative Law
• Internal Review
• Homelessness