Preliminary Judicial Review
Full Form of PJR
What is PJR?
Preliminary Judicial Review (PJR) is a procedural mechanism in Indian constitutional law where a higher court, typically a High Court or the Supreme Court, examines the validity of a lower court’s order or an administrative action at an early stage of litigation. Unlike a full-fledged appeal, PJR focuses on threshold issues such as jurisdiction, procedural fairness, or prima facie violations of fundamental rights. In India, PJR is commonly invoked through writ petitions under Article 226 (High Courts) and Article 32 (Supreme Court) of the Constitution. It serves as a gatekeeping tool to prevent unnecessary delays and to ensure that cases with merit proceed while frivolous or jurisdictionally flawed matters are dismissed early. The concept is particularly significant in public interest litigation (PIL), where courts use PJR to filter petitions before admitting them for detailed hearing. Legal professionals, judges, and law students frequently encounter PJR during the study of civil procedure, constitutional remedies, and judicial review. Exams such as the CLAT, AIBE, and UPSC Law Optional often test candidates on the distinction between preliminary review and final adjudication. PJR reflects the judiciary’s proactive role in upholding the rule of law while managing case backlogs efficiently.
PJR का फुल फॉर्म
प्रारंभिक न्यायिक समीक्षा
Example
The Supreme Court exercised its PJR powers to examine whether the High Court had overstepped its jurisdiction in the contempt matter.