Nature, Definition & Scope of Administrative Law

Administrative law is considered a branch of public law. Administrative law is the body of law which governs the activities of administrative agencies of government. Government agency action can include rulemaking, adjudication, or the enforcement of a specific regulatory agenda.

Further, we can say that, the Administrative Law is a branch of law governing the creation and operation of administrative agencies. Of special importance are the powers granted to administrative agencies, the substantive rules that such agencies make, and the legal relationships between such agencies, other government bodies, and the public at large.

Similarly, Administrative law is a body of rules, regulations and orders formulated by a government body such as an environment management agency responsible for carrying out statute law.

In other words, these are the legal rules and principles on which courts act in controlling the exercise of statutory powers of adjudication and rule making by public authorities other than judiciary and legislature.

Administrative law encompasses laws and legal principles governing the administration and regulation of government agencies including Federal and State. Such agencies are delegated power by Parliament or in the case of a State agency, the State Legislature to act as agents for the executive. Generally, administrative agencies are created to protect a public interest rather than to vindicate private rights.