Meaning of Administrative Law
Administrative law is the body of law that governs the activities of administrative agencies of the government. It deals with the powers and duties of the administrative authorities, procedures followed by them, and remedies available to aggrieved persons.
In other words, administrative law sets out the rules and principles that regulate the way in which government officials and agencies make decisions and carry out their functions.
Nature of Administrative Law
Administrative law is a branch of public law that deals with the relationship between individuals and the government. It is concerned with the actions of the administrative agencies, which are created by the governments to carry out the various functions, such as regulation, adjudication, and policy-making.
Administrative law is also concerned with the principles of natural justice, which require that decisions made by administrative agencies are fair, impartial, and free from bias.
Scope of Administrative Law
The scope of administrative law is broad, and it covers a wide range of activities carried out by the administrative agencies, including rule-making, licensing, enforcement, adjudication, and policy-making.
Administrative law also covers the procedures and mechanisms for review and appeal of administrative decisions, as well as the remedies available to individuals who are aggrieved by such decisions.
Function of Administrative Law
- The main function of administrative law is to ensure that administrative agencies exercise their powers and functions in a lawful, reasonable, and in fair manner.
- Administrative law also provides a framework for the accountability of administrative agencies, ensuring that they are subject to oversight and review by other branches of government, such as the judiciary and the legislature.
- The principles of natural justice, such as the right to a fair hearing, are also an important aspect of administrative law, ensuring that individuals are treated fairly and their rights are protected when dealing with administrative agencies.