Meaning and

Definition of
Administrative
Law
Defined by many authors and thinkers
Administrative Law has a tremendous social function to
perform.
Administrative Law becomes that body of reasonable
limitations and affirmative action parameters which are
developed and operationalized by the legislature and the
courts to maintain and sustain a rule-of-law society.

Basic Idea
1. Checking abuse or detournement of administrative
power;
2. Ensuring citizens an impartial determination of their
disputes by officials;
3. Protecting citizens from unauthorised encroachment on
their rights and interests and
4. Making those who exercise public power accountable

Basic Bricks of
to the people.

foundation of any
Administrative Law
It is impossible to attempt any precise definition of
Administrative law which can cover the entire range of
administrative process because in almost every country,
irrespective of its political philosophy, the administrative
process has increased so tremendously that today we are
living not in its shade but shadow. (As I.P. Massey opined)

Difficulty in defining the

Administrative law
Administrative Law is the law relating to the
administration. It determines the organisation, powers and
duties of the administrative authorities.
Criticism- It does not include the remedies available to an
aggrieved person when his rights are adversely affected by
the administration.

Ivor Jennings’s Definition

Administrative Law is the law relating to the control of
governmental power.
According to him the primary object of
Administrative Law is to keep powers of the government
within their legal bounds so as to protect the citizens against
their abuse. The powerful engines of authority must be
prevented from running amok.

According to Wade
Administrative law is the law concerning the powers and
procedures of administrative agencies, including especially
the law governing judicial review of administrative action.
According to him, administrative agency is a
governmental authority, other than a court and a legislature
which affects the rights of private parties either through
administrative adjudication or rule making.

K C Davis
Administrative Law may be described as –

“Those rules which are recognised by the Courts as law

and which relate to and regulate the administration of
Government.”

Garner
Administrative Law deals with the structure, powers and
functions of the organs of administration, the limits of their
powers, the methods and procedures followed by them in
exercising their powers and functions, the methods by
which their powers are controlled including the legal
remedies available to a person against them when his rights
are infringed by their operation.

Jain and Jain

Taking into account the ambit and scope explored through
all these definitions, we may define administrative law as
following: ( As C. K. Takwani ventures)- Administrative
law is that branch of Constitutional Law which deals with
powers & duties of administrative authorities, the procedure
followed by them in exercising the powers and discharging
the duties and remedies available to an aggrieved person
when his rights are affected by an action of such authorities.
Conclusion regarding
Definition of
Administrative Law