The Police Federation has lodged papers with the High Court in Belfast seeking a judicial review on Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde's decision to push ahead with phasing out the Full Time Reserve (FTR) by March 2011.

Federation chair Terry Spence said they were mounting the legal challenge on the grounds that the Chief Constable did not consult sufficiently with the federation before pushing ahead with the decision.

He also said Sir Hugh, who is leaving his post in September, should have left the decision to his successor.

"It is also a decision which flies in the face of an enduring severe terrorist threat and a volatile public order situation."

After conducting a review of the security situation, last month Sir Hugh Orde decided to press ahead with phasing out the remaining 500 officers. They will leave the PSNI by March 2011, with reservists leaving front line duties by next summer.

The judicial review hearing is expected to be heard in September – at which stage Sir Hugh will have left the PSNI.

A PSNI spokesman said it would not be appropriate to comment on the legal challenge at the present time.

In defending his decision last month, Sir Hugh said the Patten reforms were "non-negotiable".

A total of 102 reserve officers lost their lives during the Troubles.

Announcing the move, Sir Hugh paid tribute to all those who had served in the Reserve.

"The people of Northern Ireland owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to the men and women of the Full Time Reserve and indeed their part-time colleagues," he said.

DUP Policing Board member Jimmy Spratt said: "This controversial decision should not have been made by a Chief Constable on the way out, when his predecessor will have to live with the consequences. The suggestion that the Police Federation where not consulted is truly scandalous."