Introduction:

Administrative law is a branch of law that contains the legal principles governing the administration and regulation of federal and state government agencies.  It is considered a branch of public law and commonly called regulatory law.  Decision making in the daily activities of various federal and state agencies is governed by administrative law

.Definition of Administrative Law:

There is no universally accepted method of defining administrative law. Different authors have propounded different definitions to the term “administrative law.”

In the words of Sir Ivor Jennings:

“Administrative law is the law relating to administration. It determines the organization, powers and duties of administrative authorities on their own side.”

Dicey:

‘’Denoting that portion of national legal system which determines the legal status and liabilities of all state officials, which defines the right and liabilities of private individuals in their dealings with public officials.’’

Nature of administrative Law

If we see the nature of administrative law, it adopts its validity from constitution, and adopts its powers from delegated legislation. It also possesses quasi-legislative and quasi-judicial powers.

Scope of Administrative law:

By the term “scope of administrative law”, we mean the coverage of administrative law. What area does it cover? What does it entail etc? Administrative law covers a variety of issues amongst which are:

1. The Civil Service of the Federal, and Local Government2. Administrative decision and rule making procedures3. The control of administrative power4. Delegated legislation and delegation of powers5. Judicial remedies

Objective of Administrative Law:

The main object of study of administrative law is to find out the way in which these administrative authorities could be kept within their limits so that the discretionary power may not be turned into arbitrary and encarnalized powers.

Its objective can be briefly stated as

1. To make those who exercise public powers accountable to the people

2. To ensure observance of rule of law.