Judicial review primarily serves to ensure what aspect of government bodies' actions?

Judicial review primarily serves to ensure that the actions of government bodies are lawful and compliant with existing laws and principles. This process acts as a check on the powers of governmental and administrative authorities, ensuring they operate within the legal framework established by statutes, regulations, and constitutional provisions. By assessing whether decisions have been made following legal protocols and without exceeding lawful authority, judicial review preserves the rule of law, protects individual rights, and maintains accountability in public administration.

The significance of this mechanism lies in its ability to provide a remedy when government entities act beyond their legal authority, make decisions that are unreasonable, or fail to adhere to proper procedures. In doing so, judicial review fosters transparency and instills confidence in the legal system, ensuring that actions taken by public authorities remain in line with the principles of justice and rule of law.

While the other options may reflect aspects of government operations, they do not encapsulate the primary purpose of judicial review, which is to ensure legality and compliance over issues such as cost-effectiveness, political favorability, or alignment with public opinion.